Collegedale, Tennessee, residents will parade through town on their bikes in costumes and decorations Saturday morning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city gaining its full independence.
The parade is part of a year-long celebration leading up to an event this fall to commemorate the anniversary and unveil the new Founder's Hall.
"We're looking forward to it," city mayor Katie Lamb said. "The birthday is actually in December, but there's so much going on then that we decided to have it in October."
Collegedale Mayor Katie Lamb talks about The Commons, a new park beside the city hall building Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Collegedale, Tenn. Collegedale has seen a large amount of growth and development over the past few years. While a bike parade may seem like an odd way to celebrate a town's history to some, for city leaders, it's about incorporating the city's past with its future.
Collegedale has long put an emphasis on healthy living. It has been distinguished by Gov. Bill Haslam as one of the state's healthiest communities, and the city's parks and recreation department, which is overseeing the parade, built an initiative around the concept.
"Part of doing something with bikes is the movement initiative to inspire healthy living," parks and recreation director Traci Bennett-Hobek said. " Collegedale is unique in that we're growing. We're one of the fastest-growing areas in Hamilton County, but our push is really wellness. There's a good push from leadership for parents and families and individuals."
Hundreds attend the grand opening of The Commons in Collegedale. The Grand Opening Festivities and Town Christmas Tree Lighting was sponsored by the city of Collegedale and the Collegedale Tomorrow Foundation.The city has a large Southern Adventist population, which could contribute in part to the success of the initiative, Bennett-Hobek said. The denomination puts an emphasis on diet and health, and Southern Adventist University, located in town, has been recognized for encouraging healthy living.
Saturday's event is free and open to the public, but participants are asked to register. Costumes and bike decorations are encouraged. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and each participant will get a raffle ticket for a door prize. The short parade will begin at The Commons, follow the greenway to Veteran's Memorial Park, travel around the pond and head back to the start.
The official 50th anniversary celebration will be held Oct. 21, also at The Commons. Founder's Hall is expected to open ahead of the event. The hall will be used for the Collegedale market, private events and various activities, Lamb said. It will celebrate the town's founders, who created the city 50 years ago because of Chattanooga laws prohibiting business operations on Sundays.
Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.