City's 175th birthday celebration climaxes with bash at Coolidge Park

photo A sunset cruise aboard the River Gorge Explorer on Saturday will explore the history of the seven Chattanooga bridges spanning the Tennessee River.

Other highlights• Face painting with Brighten It Up and Manasi's Art.• Selfie station with local mascots, including the Coca-Cola Bear, Scrappy, Rocky the Elf and Looie.• Locally made treats, including MoonPie and Coca-Cola.• A large bouncy house and 18-foot slide.• A birthday card station featuring Top Flight paper products.• Music by Christie Burns and Micah Spence, Shane Morrow, Stratoblasters and Pay the Reckoning.• A scavenger hunt that includes prizes from Taco Mamacita, Milk & Honey, Urban Stack, Community Pie and Clyde's on Main.Call 423-648-7300 for more information.

photo Who are the famous faces on the side of the Woople Building? Find out in tours today.

Chattanooga history quizThanks to Tennessee Aquarium naturalist John Dever for this Chattanooga birthday quiz.Q: What is the common Latin- derived name for a 175th birthday or anniversary?A: Terquasquicentennial.Q: What year did Chattanooga celebrate its 150th birthday?A: 1965.Q: What major historical event preceded the founding of Chattanooga?A: The "Trail of Tears" or forced removal of the Cherokee People.Q: To what people or language is the name Chattanooga attributed?A: Creek Muscogee language.Q: What anniversary year is 2014 for Hamilton County?A: 195th.Q: Approximately how long have people been living in the Chattanooga area?A: 10,000 to 12,000 years.Q: What three major modes of commercial transportation have been vital to Chattanooga's history?A: Highway/interstate, railroad, river/maritime.Q: In what order, earliest to latest, did these modes become important?A: River/maritime, railroad, highway/interstate.Q: Why was Chattanooga once known as the Dynamo of Dixie?A: Plentiful hydroelectric energy produced by Ocoee and Hale's Bar dams.Q: Can you name the seven area bridges that span the Tennessee River?A: Olgiati, Market Street, Walnut Street, Veterans, C.B. Robinson, Cincinnati Railroad and Wilkes T. Thrasher.

There are still multiple ways to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Chattanooga's incorporation, but the big birthday bash is scheduled 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Coolidge Park, 150 River St.

This something-for-all-ages soiree will spotlight Chattanooga places, products and people. Chattanooga Bakery has promised to serve up "the world's largest MoonPie," and you can ride the park's carousel for free.

Elected officials, past and present, will be recognized in ceremonies from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m., and local musicians will provide a soundtrack for the day.

Even the family dog is welcome at the park on this day. Just be sure to check in at the McKamey Animal Center booth when you arrive.

Highlights for the rest of the week

• 212 Market Restaurant - 212 Market St. Enjoy an autumn feast, including pumpkin bisque, pan-fried flounder and pear tart among the courses, 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, Nov. 13. $55 for Tennessee Aquarium members, $65 nonmembers. 42-267-FISH.

• The Bitter Alibi - 825 Houston St. This after-party offers $1.75 off all Chattanooga-based brewery drafts, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Includes deals from The Terminal, McHale's, Moccasin Bend Brewery and Chattanooga Brewing Co. 423-290-8901.

• Chattanooga Choo Choo - 1400 Market St. Pay $1.75 for trolley rides or Model Railroad Museum admission and get $1.75 off all bottles and glasses of wine in the Victorian Lounge when you mention Chattanooga's 175th anniversary, today and Friday, Nov. 13-14. 423-266-5000.

• Chattanooga City Hall - 101 E. 11th St. Learn four stories' worth of history about the building's architecture, art collections, former mayors and council members in guided tours, starting at 9 a.m. today, Nov. 13. 423-643-6701.

• Chattanooga Public Library - 1001 Broad St. Share your memories in a Chattanooga Oral History Project with a mobile recording site set up by WUTC-FM 88.1, 3-6 p.m. today, Nov. 13. An exhibition of old photos is on view through Friday, Nov. 21. 423-757-5317.

• Chattanooga Zoo - 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Pay $1.75 admission, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.

• Clumpies Ice Cream Co. - 26 Frazier Ave. Take $1.75 off any purchase of $10 or more, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

• The Crash Pad - 29 Johnson St. See a slideshow celebrating the rich history of Chattanooga, compliments of Picnooga and Deep Zoom, while you quaff a $4 beer, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. 423-648-8393.

• Creative Discovery Museum - 321 Chestnut St. Re-create the Chattanooga skyline using recycled newspapers, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Friday, Nov. 13-14. Plus Free Family Night, 5:30-8:30 p.m. today.

• Glass House Collective - 2523 Glass St. Bring old photos of East Chattanooga sites so that they may be scanned and archived, 3-6 p.m. today, Nov. 13. While you're there, take a tour of the historic Rivoli Theatre, 5-6 p.m. 423-605-5950.

• Hamilton County Courthouse - 625 Georgia Ave. Visit Chattanooga's most historic buildings on Cornerstones' self-guided downtown walking tour, today through Saturday, Nov. 13-15. Twenty buildings in various architectural styles. 423-265-2825.

• Imax Theater - 201 Chestnut St. Watch special screenings of "Titans of the Ice Age 3D" or "Galapagos 3D" for $1.75 Saturday, Nov. 15.

• Outdoor Chattanooga - 200 River St. Pedal along with city transportation staff on an escorted, 12-mile tour of city neighborhoods, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Though suitable for all age groups and abilities, children under age 10 should ride on tagalongs or in bike trailers. Bring your own bike, reserve a cruiser (mild_c@chattanooga.gov) or rent an electric bike for $12 (sales@electricbikespecialists.com). 423-643-5950.

• River Gorge Explorer - 201 Riverfront Parkway. Explore Chattanooga's history as you pass beneath its seven Tennessee River bridges on a 175th birthday sunset cruise upstream from Ross's Landing, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. All ages welcome. Cash bar available. $24 adults, $18 children for Tennessee Aquarium members; $32 and $24.50 for nonmembers. Register at https://community.tnaqua.org/CHA175.

• Ross Hotel/Yesterday's Building - 820 Georgia Ave. Pick up a map and a cup of apple cider to start your tour of 19 Open Spaces installations from Georgia Avenue to Chestnut Street, 6-8 p.m. today, Nov. 13. Open Spaces turns empty storefronts in the city center into interactive art and tech installations, with topics ranging from rock 'n' roll to the Trail of Tears. 423-265-3700.

• Southern Belle - 201 Riverfront Parkway. Take $17.50 off the two-hour Admiral's Dinner Cruise, which includes a buffet dinner, live music, dancing and tours of the pilot house, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

• Terra Nostra Tapas & Wine - 105 Frazier Ave. Get 10 percent off your tab with the mention of "Happy Birthday, Chattanooga," 4:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15. 423-634-0238.

• Uptown Art - 2 Cherokee Blvd. Create your own painting of Chattanooga's North Shore, adding your favorite buildings to the masterpiece, 6:45-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. $35 includes canvas and painting materials. Bring your own beverage and snacks, if you like. Smocks, cups and wine openers provided. Larger canvas available for additional $10. 423-602-8580.

• Woople Building - 100 Tremont St. Take a free tour to learn more about the technology pioneers pictured in the "Faces on Frazier" mural by Chattanooga artist Kevin Bate, every hour on the hour, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Nov. 13. 423-308-7730.

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