RiverRocks offers kite-flying at Sculpture Fields

Kite-flying at Sculpture Fields one of eight RiverRocks community events

The 33-acre Sculpture Fields offers wide open spaces for kites to soar.
The 33-acre Sculpture Fields offers wide open spaces for kites to soar.

Get ready for some high-flying family fun on Saturday, Oct. 7, when the skies at the 33- acre Sculpture Fields at Montague Park will be filled with colossal, colorful kites, stunt kites and rokkaku battle kites during Sculptures in the Sky.

Sculpture Fields is partnering with River City Kites and Chattanooga Presents River Rocks for this free event, which takes place from noon-6 p.m. at 1800 Polk St. It is one of eight entertainment events occurring during RiverRocks, the annual fall festival that offers athletic events focused around Chattanooga's mountains, river and scenic locations.

In addition to kites, Saturday's visitors will also enjoy performances by Chattanooga Aerials. There will be local food trucks and a beer tent on-site. Chattanooga police officers vs. firefighters with volunteers from the public will battle it out with rokkaku fighting kites.

photo The 33-acre Sculpture Fields offers wide open spaces for kites to soar.

Some kites will be massive, spanning 20 feet, so large they must be anchored to the ground. Kids will be able to race parachute-like kites (bols) during Running with the Bols. Visitors also will be able to make their own kites for free.

Organizers of this event said they are hoping for ideal kite-flying weather. The best wind is a stable 10-12 mph.

"Kites originated in China, where someone might have seen a leaf blowing down the path and thought to attach a string," says Chuck Jones, owner of River City Kites. "Kites have developed into a true art form and are now flown all over the world."

Storyteller Jim Pfitzer will tell the story of Montague Park at the event. Pfitzer is best known for his nature-based tales.He travels the country to perform in theaters, conferences, universities and festivals.

For more information: 423-266-7288 or clifford@sculpturefields.org.

RIVERROCKS EVENTS

RiverRocks begins Friday, Oct. 6, and continues through Oct. 21. This multiday event brings world-class and amateur athletes to the Scenic City to compete in a variety of outdoor events that celebrate Chattanooga's outdoor lifestyle and panoramic scenery.

photo The 33-acre Sculpture Fields offers wide open spaces for kites to soar.

You don't have to be an athlete to attend one of the following events, in addition to Sculptures in the Sky:

» Fireside Music Series: 7-9 p.m. each Thursday in October, Greenway Farm, 5051 Gann Store Road, free, bring chair for seating.

» 3 Sisters Music Festival: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Ross's Landing, free.

» Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Lula Lake Land Trust on Lookout Mountain, free but $2 donation encouraged. Walk, bike or run in this scenic area.

» Family Fall Camp Out: 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, to 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, Greenway Farm, 5051 Gann Store Road, $30 per site for up to five people. Coincides with Fireside Music Series and Hamilton County Schools fall break.

» Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, 400 Garden Road; RRANC members $10 adults, $7 children ages 4-11; nonmembers $15 adults, $12 children. Newest feature of RiverRocks includes tethered hot-air balloons, movies from 3 to 6 p.m., craft beer and food trucks, balloon glow after dark, canoeing on Lookout Creek, tram rides, hikes, animal encounters and bonfire.

» Family Fun-Day Sunday: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, Greenway Farm, 5051 Gann Store Road, free family activities except $25 fee for canoeing.

» Best Town (for)Ever Celebration: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 700 block of Cherry Street, free; RiverRocks finale street party with $5 tethered hot-air balloon rides, slack line, wall climbing, live music.

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