Spectators line the streets in downtown Ringgold to wave to people in a previous year’s 1890’s Day Parade.For 40 years, downtown Ringgold has come to life Memorial Day weekend with the festivities of 1890’s Day.
“We estimate that 20,000 people will attend throughout the weekend,” said 1890’s Day Chairman Dr. Ronal Graham. “1890’s Day has won Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of the Best Event for five years.”
This year’s event features more vendor entries than ever before, he said – over 110 craft and food vendors.
The festivities begin Friday night at 6 p.m. with Gospel Night and the 23rd Annual 1890’s Day Jamboree Pageant at the Historic Ringgold Depot. Saturday’s activities begin at 9 a.m., highlighted by the parade at 11 a.m., and end with the Fireworks Finale at 10 p.m. Some of the parade entries are Catoosa County Fire Department fire trucks, Friday night’s beauty pageant winners, and politicians.
“The Barney A. Fife look-a-like will be here from the Mayberry era,” Graham noted, adding that the popular impersonator will be in the parade. “He is the best imitator of him I have ever seen. He will have the old police car here.”
On Saturday, the 1890’s Day Car Show will take over the First Baptist Church parking lot and entertainers will take over the stages downtown. Three outdoor stages will welcome them.
Ringgold Main Street Manager Rhonda Johnson said musicians can put their skills to the test at the fiddle contest while younger visitors can enjoy inflatable games a climbing wall and much more in the kids’ area.
“Something new this year will be a zip line from City Hall to Nashville Street on Tennessee Street,” said Graham. “Entertainers Robie Hopkins and Keith Fults will be back this year performing on Saturday evening. Tom Cavin will also perform that night.”
Attendees will also get to see performances by some of the city’s most talented as winners of the first-ever Ringgold Talent Show take the stage. Winners were Kaiya Moore (ages 3-14), Kimie Carter (ages 15-20) and Morgan Stanley (ages 21 and up).
Graham said organizers strive to make the event bigger and better every year.
For more information, go to 1890sDay.com.