BARRY COURTER: Lisa, let's talk about a different flag, OK?
This week there are several events honoring Old Glory. It's July 4th weekend, but you can kick things off on Thursday with a new event called Americrawl. This is a ticketed event and you can buy them at www.chattacrawl.com.
It's the latest fundraiser started by Kirby Yost, the person who brought us the Santa Crawl, which gathers toys for needy kids.
The Americrawl follows the same idea, with participants getting drink specials at participating restaurants. It will conclude at AT&T Field for a concert featuring Kontraband after the Lookouts game. Americrawl tickets are $40 each and you get a tank top and a bunch of other swag in addition to the drink specials. Proceeds go to local veterans.
LISA DENTON: Sounds like fun. Just don't confuse the fundraiser with the basement, crawlspace and foundation fixing company out of Indianapolis, which is what I found the first time I Googled it. I especially like our Americrawl's theme: "Music. Beer. 'Merica."
The event's Facebook page has a picture of the tank tops you get with a ticket purchase, but I'm thinking I'll bust out my Wonder Woman costume. It's red, white and blue. My invisible plane is in the shop, though. Bummer.
BARRY: Beginning Thursday, the calendar explodes with Independence Day fetes. There are fireworks shows or events all through the weekend planned in Collegedale, Fort Oglethorpe, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, Graysville, Monteagle, Crossville and Ringgold.
Camp Jordan is holding a big party on Friday with a barbecue cook-off, karaoke contest, cruise-in, music from Common Ground and The Beaters and fireworks. Best of all, it's all free.
Also, the Creative Discovery Museum is holding Red, White and Blue Day on Saturday, and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will have Pops on the River on Saturday.
LISA: We should note that Pops on the River sometimes takes place earlier, but this year it's on the actual holiday.
BARRY: That will confuse folks. I don't know why all holidays can't be scheduled for a Monday like God intended.
LISA: And if you just want to see fireworks, you can go to the Lookouts game Friday or to Lake Winnepesaukah on Friday and Saturday.
BARRY: That's a lot of fireworks. We should probably remind dog owners to load up on their doggy downer meds.
LISA: And don't forget that the Chattanooga Music Club is presenting its free patriotic organ concert Tuesday night at Memorial Auditorium. No fireworks there, just musical pyrotechnics from R. Jelani Eddington of Milwaukee, Wis., an organist who's in such demand they had to book him a year ago.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.