Katie Gooden waves Saturday during the MainX24 parade.The sidewalks on Chattanooga’s Main Street were full of people Saturday for the MainX24 festival.
Pac-Man chases a gingerbread man down Main Street Saturday during the MainX24 parade.Storefront doors were open and the side streets were full of activities like face painting and corn hole. Despite clouds and occasional drizzle early in the day, crowds of people slowly wandered around eating food, listening to live music, marching in or watching a parade and Mutt Strut, and celebrating the vibrancy of small businesses on Main Street.
The 24-hour festival has been a December tradition for the Southside community since 2007. MainX24 was started by CreateHere, a nonprofit based in the Southside, and is now owned and organized completely by residents and merchants in the community.
Mindy Coggins, from East Brainerd, said she attends MainX24 every year.
“It’s a cool event to raise awareness for small businesses downtown,” she said.