The late Jack Lupton had an “impossible dream” some years ago. He envisioned a rejuvenated downtown Chattanooga, thronging with scores of thousands of “on-foot” visitors, enlivening the community’s economy.
Despite some doubts at the time, everyone is familiar now with the magnificent Tennessee Aquarium, which brings a million visitors — year after year.
And for nine days starting yesterday, many thousands of Chattanoogans and visitors from afar are enjoying a wide variety of entertaining musical and other events as the exciting annual Riverbend Festival is going full steam.
Downtown Chattanooga has progressed in many ways, along with the North Shore developments.
Just look around and you’ll see crowds gathering and having fun.
The Tennessee Aquarium and the Riverbend Festival are just two of the diverse examples of Chattanooga progress in our industrial, historic and scenic city. We have many facets of our economically advancing community.
Chattanooga is a fine “home” community, with thousands of new jobs coming from several welcome industrial developments — most prominent among them being the Volkswagen plant — along with many cultural and civic activities.
We have the pleasure of enjoying and celebrating more than just a few improvements. The ripples of progress in Chattanooga are many, wide, spreading — and continuing.
Just look at the many thousands of Chattanoogans and visitors “hanging loose” and enjoying our Riverbend Festival and our community this week — and realize that’s just one part of many good things for all of the people in our thriving community.