The city of East Ridge is combining two events – the 90th birthday of East Ridge as a city and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War – into a celebration of neighborhood and history.
City of East Ridge employees prepare for a neighborhood celebration of the city’s 90th birthday. From left are administrative assistant Amanda Miller, street supervisor Tom Grisham and city services director Freida Wheeler.“The people make the town,” said East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert. “This is a celebration of our history and our citizens.”
The East Ridge 90th Birthday Celebration will be held at City Hall June 18 from noon to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The opening ceremony will begin at noon, attended by city officials and supporters, followed by a cake-cutting and entertainment. The cake will be prepared by resident Mimi Lowry. There also will be performances by singers from MaGoo’s Restaurant.
Many area businesses have contributed materials for the event as well as sponsored games for children. There will be a children’s zone during the celebration with inflatables and games that cost 50 cents per ticket. All funds for the youth games will be used to benefit the East Ridge Needy Child Fund.
“We’re not only celebrating East Ridge’s history, but the South’s history too,” said Amanda Miller, administrative assistant for the city services director. “It started out as two separate events, but we decided they kind of fit together.”
Representatives from the Chickamauga National Military Parks will attend the celebration. Volunteer re-enactors will dress in Civil War period clothing and bring items to demonstrate activities from that era.
The original date of the 90th Birthday Celebration was April 30, but it was postponed due to the April 27 tornadoes.
“The city felt it wasn’t the right time,” Miller said. “Instead, we did a prayer vigil at City Hall.”
For more information about the event email amiller@eastridgetn.org.