LEISURE
ARBORETUM OPENING – Berry College, Krannert Center Ballroom E, Rome, Ga. Program at 4 p.m. April 29, followed by tree walk on campus at 4:30 p.m. www.berry.edu/arboretum.
ADULT PROM – Ringgold Depot, 155 Depot St., Ringgold, Ga. Remember When: Adult Prom will raise funds for five North Georgia nonprofits with dance, silent auction, food, cash bar, crowning of prom king and queen, 7-11 p.m. May 7. Only 200 tickets will be sold, $50 includes one drink voucher. facebook.com/rememberwhen.
BLUE RIDGE TROUT FESTIVAL – Downtown City Park, Blue Ridge, Ga. Food trucks, live music, free seminars and 100 vendors offering fly-fishing lessons, fishing gear and services as well as hiking, kayaking and cycling information, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30. $5. blueridgetroutfest.com.
* April 29: Ride the Trout Train, board at 5:30 p.m., train departs 6 p.m. for route along scenic Toccoa River with silent auction, food and beverages, $60. 877-413-8724.
BOWTIES & BLOSSOMS – The Church on Main, 1601 Rossville Ave. Benefit to raise awareness of eating disorders and treatment sponsored by Focus Treatment Centers, 7:30 p.m. April 29. $75 individuals, $140 couples. www.bowtiesandblossoms.com.
BUNNY HOP – First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd. Children’s activities, sports zone, Chattanooga aerials, live and silent auctions and buffet dinner to benefit Chambliss Center for Children, May 6. $40 adults, $20 children, $125 family package of two adults and up to four children. www.bunny-hop.org.
CAR MEET – Four Squares Business Center, 1200 Mountain Creek Road. Automotive enthusiasts meet to show cars at family-friendly event, 6-9 p.m. April 30. Not a judged show. No fee for exhibitors or spectators. 423-401-0515.
CATERING TO THE BOYS CHOIR – Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. Chattanooga Boys Choir fundraiser includes dinner from The Feed Table, Get Your Sauce On competition, dollar auction and performance by Cantabile Choir, 7-10 p.m. April 29. $50. 423-634-2299.
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery, 8:30 nightly. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.
CHATTANOOGA NIGHTS – DeBarge Winery, 1617 Rossville Ave. Kickoff of arts, culinary and innovation series, 8-11 p.m. April 29, with music by Will Gittens, tapas by chef Marcus Garner from Wine Down Ooltewah and sustainability information from GreenSpaces. $20. ChattanoogaNights.splashthat.com.
CHATTANOOGA SIDEWALK TOURS – Choice of two tours daily: Dynamo of Dixie, 10 a.m.; Bluff and Bridges, 6 p.m. $15 adults, $7 children 12 and younger. Reservations required: 423-228-0448, www.chatwalktours.com.
CHILHOWEE MOUNTAIN CRAFT BAZAAR – People Helping People, 184 Mull/Benton Station Road, Benton, Tenn. Free craft fair and car show with 1 p.m. balloon launch to benefit Polk County’s assistance organization, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. 423-299-9062.
CHOO CHOO JUBILEE – Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. Celebration of 75th anniversary of “Chattanooga Choo Choo” song, with 11 a.m. parade, noon-3 p.m. kids activities and 9 p.m.-midnight entertainment, including costumed Great Gatsby Garden Jubilee with Uptown Big Band, May 7. Free. 423-424-4458.
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. 706-657-4050.
* April 30: Nature arts ‘n’ Crafts, 1:30-2:30 p.m., kids join park naturalist to learn about plants and animals and make something to take home. $5 parking.
* April 30: Go Fish!, 3-5 p.m., $3 plus $5 parking, all ages welcome to fish in state park’s ponds; fishing poles, tackle and lessons available.
* April 30: Wild Cave Tours, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Get muddy and wet on a family-friendly underground adventure. www.GeorgiaGirlGuides.com. Reservations required. $30-$60 plus $5 parking. 1-800-979-3370.
* May 1: Wilds of the West Rim day hike, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., meet at Interpretive Center. Take a 5-mile hike along the West Rim Loop Trail. Bring brown-bag lunch and water, wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. $5 per person, $15 per family; $5 parking. 706-657-4050.
DESOTO STATE PARK – 7104 DeSoto Parkway, Fort Payne, Ala. 256-997-5025. All times are Central.
* May 6: Wildflower Saturday welcome, 6-7:15 p.m., DeSoto State Park lodge, free social with guest speaker.
* May 7: Wildflower Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., free, three hikes offered at 9 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., presentation at lodge at 7:15 p.m
DO THE PRE-DERBY – The Peyton at Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. Chattanooga Kids on the Block benefit includes casino games, signature drink, live and silent auctions, big hat contest and music by The Bob, 7-11 p.m. May 6. $75 in advance, $100 at the door, $150 for combo ticket with Sangria on the Southside. www.kidsontheblock.net.
DOWNTOWN DINE AROUND – Downtown Cleveland, Tenn. Sample food from 10 eateries for $25 ticket, enjoy free carriage rides and specials at downtown shops during Mainstreet Downtown benefit, 5-8 p.m. April 28. 423-479-1000.
DUCK DERBY – Chickamauga Creek in Ringgold, Ga. Fundraiser for Catoosa County schools includes free family festival, 10 a.m-2 p.m. April 30. Duck launch at 1 p.m., $10 per duck. www.ciscatoosa.org.
FURBALL – http://thealicefund.org/fulball.html. Virtual fundraiser on National Hairball Day, April 29, will help provide medical care to cats whose owners cannot afford it.
GARDENING WORKSHOPS – Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co. Inc., 5829 Main St. 423-238-9775.
* April 28: Plan Your Organic Garden, 3:30 p.m., free, Kat McGraw teaches organic gardening techniques.
* April 30: Plant Mom a Flower Container, 9 a.m., bring a container or buy one at the nursery, and plant a flower container to take home. Soil supplied, buy plants.
GARDENING WORKSHOP – The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St. Place. 423-698-2276.
* April 30: Hanging Basket Make and Take, 10 a.m., $40 includes materials.
* May 7: Children’s planting event for Mother’s Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Children choose from three pots to plant at $10, $20 or $30. Fee includes pot, all plants, soils, and fertilizers. Coaches from The Barn Nursery staff will help little ones plant the green side up.
GARDENING WORKSHOPS – Two Angels Mushrooms Farm, Harrison. www.2AngelsMushrooms.com
* April 30: Build a Mushroom Bed, 11 a.m., $45, build a wine cap mushroom bed and receive live spawn to take home and plant.
* May 1: Adding Mushrooms to the Garden, 1 p.m., $45, plant almond portobello mushrooms in the veggie garden and receive live spawn to take home and plant.
HIKES – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. 423-842-3619.
* April 30: Connector Trail from Highway 157, slightly strenuous 8 miles. $5 parking fee. Meet in Red Bank Food City parking lot at 9 a.m.
* May 3: Greenway Farms, easy 4 miles. Meet in parking lot across from dog lot at 9 a.m.
* May 7: Highway 111 to Big Soddy Gulf, moderate 7 miles. Will stage vehicles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
HUFFABALOO FESTIVAL – Huff House, 3145 N. Selvidge St., Dalton, Ga. Free family event includes lunch on the grounds, live music, silent auction, magic show, carriage rides, noon-5:30 p.m. April 30. 706-278-0217.
INTRO TO MOUNTAIN BIKING – Greenway Farm, 5051 Gann Store Road. Outdoor Chattanooga leads classes for ages 10 and older to practice skills in controlled setting, 6-8 p.m. May 3. Participants must know how to ride a bike. $10 per session; loaner equipment available upon request at no additional charge. Registration required: 423-643-6888.
INTRO TO ROCK CLIMBING – Walnut Wall on north-shore pier of Walnut Street Bridge in Coolidge Park, 150 Coolidge Park. Outdoor Chattanooga leads free sessions teaching essentials of rock climbing, belaying and safety, 5:30-8 p.m. May 1. No experience necessary; equipment provided, wear gym shoes and athletic pants. 423-643-6888.
LADIES NIGHT OUT – Georgia Winery, 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga. Enjoy wine, small cheese plate, pampering, dancing to music of the FlyCats, 6-9 p.m. April 29. $20. 706-937-9463.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 399 McCallie Ave. Leadercast is one-day conference simulcast worldwide hosted by Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 6. Speakers include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Navy SEAL commander and author Rorke Denver. $85. partnershipfca.com/leadercast-2016.
MARCH OF DIMES WALK – Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. Annual March for Babies includes carnival games, kids zone, aerobics and contests, 9 a.m. April 30; registration at 8 a.m. Free registration, pledges taken by walkers for donation to March of Dimes. www.marchforbabies.org.
RED BANK JUBILEE AND MOON PIE FESTIVAL – Red Bank City Park, 3859 Dayton Blvd. Day starts with 10 a.m. parade down Dayton Boulevard to the park where free festival continues to 4 p.m May 7; vendors, MoonPie-eating contest, live music, children’s corner, car cruise-in, community safety expo by Red Bank Police Department.redbanknpa@gmail.com
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER – 400 Garden Road. 423-821-1160.
* May 2: Founding Gardeners talk by author Andrea Wulf, 7:30 p.m., $35 per person, $60 couple includes wine and hors d’oeuvres.
* May 7: Birds of a Feather, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., bird walks, banding demonstrations, information about spring migrants.
REPTIDAY – Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. See exotic animals from around the world, seminars and demonstrations, purchase pets and pet products from vendors, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30. $10 adults, $5 children ages 5-12. www.reptiday.com/chattanooga.
RESCUES ON THE RUNWAY – Chattanooga Choo Choo, Imperial Ballroom, 1400 Market St. Fundraiser for Chattanooga Humane Educational Society, 6-10 p.m. May 7. $75. www.heschatt.org.
ROLLER DERBY – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Chattanooga Rollergirls open home season with double-header and introduce their new B team, the B-Railers, April 30. Doors open 4 p.m., B-Railers vs. Music City Brawlstars at 5 p.m. followed by Chattanooga Allstars vs. Dixie Derby Girls of Huntsville, Ala. Portion of $12 ticket benefits Bike Walk Chattanooga. chattanoogarollergirls.com
The cast of “Scaly Adventures” will be at Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, on Saturday, April 30, offering live animal presentations at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. In addition to opportunities to pet animals, visitors can take pictures, get autographed posters and see footage from the TV series. Activities are free with regular admission: $19.95 for adults, $11.95 for children 3-12. For more information on the show, visit www.scalyadventures.com. Reach Ruby Falls at www.rubyfalls.com or 423-821-2544.RUBY FALLS – 1720 S. Scenic Highway.
* Fridays through September: Lantern Tours to rarely seen views deep within Lookout Mountain cavern, 8:30-10:30 p.m. $26.95. Reservations required: 1-800-755-7105.
* April 30: Cast members from TV’s “Scaly Adventures” on-site for photos and autographs, live animal demonstrations at 10 and 11 a.m., then hourly 1-4 p.m. Free with purchase of Ruby Falls admission ticket: $19.95 adults, $11.95 children 3-12.
SANGRIA ON THE SOUTHSIDE – Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. Celebration of Latin culture to benefit LaPaz of Chattanooga. $75 in advance, $100 at the door, includes sangria and Latin dinner. 7-11 p.m. May 6. 423-624-8414.
SHINE PROM – The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Bridge Christian Church and city’s Youth and Family Development Department host prom for individuals with special needs. Participants enjoy dinner, dance, photographs, carnival performers; caregivers have option to be pampered with massages, mini-manicures and pedicures, 7 p.m. May 6. 423-463-0202. Free but registration required: 423-463-0202.
TASTE OF OOLTEWAH & HARRISON – Cambridge Square, corner of Lee Highway and Ooltewah-Georgetown Road. Sample the specialties of 30 locally owned restaurants at fundraiser for Ooltewah-Harrison Education Foundation, 12:30-3 p.m. May 1 (postponed if raining). $20 for 10 tickets; samples range from 2-5 tickets.
TENNESSEE WOMEN VETERANS SUMMIT – Hampton Inn & Suites, 2014 Hamilton Place Blvd. Weekend conference, April 29-30, includes Friday evening social and shopping vendors; Saturday sessions on military veteran benefits, medical services, employment opportunities and more. $60 registration includes Saturday lunch.423-326-0839.
TRAIN RIDES – Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com.
* Tuesday-Sunday: Missionary Ridge Local, six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12.
* April 30, May 1, May 7: Day Out With Thomas: Enjoy a train ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt, variety of children’s activities. $21 and up. Reservations encouraged.
VALLEY FEST – Downtown Dunlap, Tenn. Annual outdoor festival with children’s activities art exhibit, vendors, car show, beauty pageant, 5K, 10K and fun walk, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. April 30, noon-5 p.m. May 1 (all times Central). Saturday headliner is Restless Heart; Sunday headliner Jason Crabb. $8 per day at the door, $2 for children; advance sales $10 for two days at Dunlap banks and businesses. valleyfestonline.com.
WESTSIDE RURITAN CLUB 5K SPRING RUN – Walker Valley High School, 750 Lauderdale Memorial Highway, Cleveland,Tenn. Ruritan Club fundraiser starts and ends at Walker Valley High School, April 30; registration at 8 a.m. $12. 423-336-5653.
FARMERS MARKETS
BRAINERD FARMERS MARKET – Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. Open 10 a.m.-noon. Saturdays. 423-698-0330.
CHATTANOOGA MARKET – First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. Theme for May 1 is Play Along With the CSO, with registered community musicians playing along with pros from Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, 1 and 2 p.m. 423-402-9958. www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.
CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET – Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.
COLLEGEDALE MARKET – Collegedale Commons, behind Ooltewah Library on Apison Pike. Open 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 4. 423-664-3022.
EAST BRAINERD – Audubon Acres, 900 M. Sanctuary Road. Open 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays. 423-838-9804.
MAIN STREET MARKET – 324 E. Main St. Open 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays. Spring-a-ma-jig is May 4 with live music, street tacos and kids activities. mainstfarmers market.com.
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET – Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Open 3-6 p.m. Thursdays. 423-238-9775.
RED BANK FARMERS MARKET – Red Bank United Methodist Church front lawn, 3800 Dayton Blvd. Open 3-6 p.m. Mondays. 423-838-9804.
ST. ELMO – Incline Railway, 3917 St. Elmo Ave. Open 4-7 p.m. Fridays. 423-838-9804.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1001 Broad St. (main library) and branches at Eastgate, Northgate and South Chattanooga. 423-757-5310, www.chattlibrary.org.
* April 30: Zinefest workshop, 12:30-3:30 p.m., free, consists of four short sessions.
* May 7: Anime Binge, 4 p.m., downtown branch, I Heart Asia program at 3 p.m. followed by binge-watching anime for teens.