LEISURE
ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE – Downtown Chattanooga from intersection of M.L.King Boulevard and Market Street, down Market to Aquarium Way. Annual patriotic parade of floats, bands, JROTC units and more. 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Friday, May 4.
BIRDING BY CANOE – Chattanooga Audubon Society, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Leisurely canoe float along South Chickamauga Creek to view birds; canoes and equipment provided by Scenic City Safari Shuttles & Outfitters. CAS members $10, nonmembers $20. 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 5. Registration required: https://squareup.com/store/ChattAudubon/item/birding-by-canoe-tour.
BLUFF VIEW WINE SERIES – Back Inn Cafe, 411 E. Second St. Monthly educational wine series for ages 21 and older; $40 per person. 6:30-8:30 May 1. Reservations required: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
BONNY OAKS SCHOOL GATHERING – 5114 Bonny Oaks Drive. Alumni of the former Bonny Oaks school gather to share memories and make documentary sharing their pictures and experiences at the school. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 28. 206-730-5904.
BUNNY HOP – First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. Fundraiser for Chambliss Center for Children includes kids activities such as bunny petting station, balloon artists, magician, sports zone, photo booth and performance by Chattanooga Aerials. Silent auction, music and catered dinner for adults. $35 adults, $15 children, $100 family pack of two adults and up to four children. 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 4. www.chamblisscenter.org
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – 432 Market St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery. Adults $16.95, ages 12 and under $10. Tours 8:30 p.m. nightly by appointment. 423-821-7125.
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – Located near Trenton, Ga., on western side of Lookout Mountain, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Reservations required: 706-913-7170.
» Friday, April 27: Tree appreciation walk, 2-4 p.m., $3 plus $5 parking.
» Friday, April 27: Night hike, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $10 plus $5 parking. Ages 10 and older invited for 2-mile hike to learn about park’s geology and history.
» Saturday, April 28: Wildflowers of the Canyon talk, 11 a.m., $5 parking. Learn about the flowers growing in the park, followed by optional wildflower hike hosted by G3 Adventures.
» Saturday, April 28-29: Awesome Opossum meet and greet, 3-4 p.m., $5 parking. Learn about these misunderstood animals; children must be accompanied by an adult.
HARRISON BAY STATE PARK – 8411 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison, Tenn. Survival classes on outdoor fundamentals such as building a shelter or starting a campfire for ages 15 and up April 27-28; $65. Registration required: 423-344-6214.
HIKES, TENNESSEE – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. For more information, contact George Bonneau at george.r.bonneau@gmail.com or 423-842-3619.
» Saturday, April 28: Cloudland Canyon Sitton Gulch, moderate 5 miles. Meet at Food City in Red Bank at 9 a.m.
» Tuesday, May 1: Foster Falls and Loop. Meet at Food City in Red Bank at 8 a.m.
» Saturday, May 5: Savage Gulf south rim, strenuous 10 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 8 a.m.
HISTORY TALK – Chickamauga Battlefield, Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. “Like Leaves Before the Wind” is free 30-minute program on civilian perspective of the Confederate breakthrough. Meet at Visitor Center to caravan to program area; there will be a short, uphill walk from parking area to program location. 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28. 706-866-9241.
LOOKOUTS BASEBALL – AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Lookouts vs. Tennessee Smokies 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday, April 26-28; 2:15 p.m. Sunday, April 29; 11:15 a.m. Monday, April 30. Tickets start at $6 adults, $4 children 3-12. 423-267-4849.
MEET ME AT THE PARK – Sterchi Farm, 3000 Harrison Pike. Opening of environmental artwork and adventure trail. Bike, kayak or SUP at green space; food trucks and music. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
MEL’S DERBY DAY LUNCH – The Westin, 801 Pine St. Food, music by Mitch Rossell, speaker and silent auction to benefit MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation. Noon, Sunday, April 29. 423-490-4555. Individuals $50, children under 10 and scholarship recipients $30, free for breast cancer survivors, but registration still required.
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER- 400 Garden Road. Hours of operation 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12:30-4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Admission $10 adults, $7 ages 4-11 and ages 65 and older. All events require registration: 423-821-1160.
» Friday, April 27: Paddling by Moonlight, 7-10 p.m., $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Paddle on Lookout Creek guided by Reflection Riding naturalist for ages 13 and older. Bring headlamp or flashlight. Canoes and gear provided.
» Saturday, April 28: Waking Up with the Birds, 7:30-11:30 a.m., free for members, donation of $10 for nonmembers. Tennessee Ornithological Society members lead bird walk.
RUBY FALLS LANTERN TOURS – Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Highway. Experience underground cavern with only lanterns to light the way; $29.95 adults. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays through November. 706-820-2531.
TRAIN RIDES, CHATTANOOGA – Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 894-8028. Check website for designated weekend train rides such as Chickamauga Turn, Dinner on the Diner and Hiwassee River Rail Adventure. www.tvrail.com.
‘ Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12. April schedule: Trains depart every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m. Trains depart Mondays through Fridays at 10:40 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.
UNMASKING BRAIN INJURY – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Chattanooga Brain Injury Association hosts inspirational speaker Marty Foil. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 27. 423-634-1572. Tables of eight $600, individuals $75.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
AUTHOR TALK – Cleveland-Bradley County Public Library, 795 Church St., Cleveland, Tenn. Friends of the Library present the Rev. Joel Huffstetler speaking on his work with United Kingdom clergyman Michael Mayne. Huffstetler is rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland and author of “Boundless Love: The Parable of the Prodigal Son and Reconciliation.” $50. 6 p.m. meet and greet, 7 p.m. program Thursday, May 3. 423-472-2163.
BOOK SIGNING – Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Kenyon Henry signs “Trials of the Mighty,” the second in his Chronicles of Stephen young adult Christian fantasy series. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1. 423-893-0186.
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY – Star Line Books, 1467 Market St. First 10 customers in the shop receive a Bookie Swag Bag. Story hour at 11 a.m. with Rosalind Bunn and her book, “Once Upon a Zoo.” Book Jeopardy at 1 p.m. Authors Brooks Benjamin, Dave Connis, Natalie Lloyd and Hannah Rials lead Young Readers panel at 4 p.m. Literary Cocktail Hour at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28. 423-777-5629.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
All locations of the Chattanooga public library system have preschool story time. The Downtown, Eastgate and Northgate libraries have Adventure Club for children ages 6 and up. The library’s teen center, Teen Stack, is located in the Downtown Library. For more information about all programming held in the Downtown, Eastgate, Northgate or South Chattanooga libraries, call 757-5310 or visit www.chattlibrary.org.
» Lego Clubs: Downtown branch, every Monday, 5-6 p.m., for ages 5-11, free; Northgate branch, first Saturday of each month, 2-3 p.m., for ages 3 and up, free. 757-5314.
» Toddler Time: Learning program for ages 18-36 months and parents/guardians, preregistration not required. Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. Eastgate Library, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Northgate Library. Saturday: 11 a.m., downtown branch.
» Baby Bounce: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10-10:30 a.m., Eastgate branch. Finger play, songs and stories for infants up to 18 months and their parent/caregiver.
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR
» Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., 11 a.m. Saturday, storytime. 423-893-0186.
BATMOBILE – Check Into Cash, 2398 McGrady Dr., Cleveland, Tenn. See the 1960’s model Batmobile custom-designed by George Barris. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Saturday, April 26-28. 423-479-2166.
» May 2-5: Batmobile at Check Into Cash St. Elmo, 3800 Tennessee Ave., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday; closed Wednesday. $13.95 adults and children.756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
» Saturday, April 28: Countdown to Kindergarten launch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., activities that explore readiness skills.
DRUG AWARENESS EVENT – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road. Free community event includes drug take-back from 10 a.m. to noon and youth awareness program with children’s activities and program by Kids on the Block from noon to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided for youth. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 28. 423-894-8850.
ROSSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY – 504 McFarland Ave., Rossville, Ga. Preschool Ready to Read, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Come for stories, crafts and songs. 706-866-1368.
DANCES
BALLROOM – Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. $10 per person. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. 423-771-3646.
CONTRA DANCE – Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. Chattanooga Traditional Dance Society hosts dance with caller Donna Calhoun and music by Ed and Elsie. $10 individuals, $7 students and senior adults. 7:30 contra lesson, 8-11 p.m. dance. Saturday, April 28. 423-629-0333.
SHAG, BOP, SWING, JITTERBUG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. $5 members, $7 guests. 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. www.choochooshagclub.com.
THROWBACK DANCE PARTY – Dance Tonight Chattanooga, 739 Ashland Terrace. Free dance party in new Red Bank location. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, April 28. info@dancetonightchattanooga.com.