Festivals saluting cornbread in Marion County, ramps in Polk County and sweet tea in Bradley County help whet the appetite for spring this weekend. Closer to home, the Chattanooga Market opens for the season with a two-day celebration. Here's a chronology.
FESTIVALS
- High Cotton Market, a seasonal event that fills the parking lot of Ringgold Feed & Seed Antiques, 403 High St., Ringgold, Ga., with additional vendors of vintage, industrial and handmade items, is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 706-935-7333
- Polk County Ramp Tramp Festival is this weekend at Camp McCroy, 1058 Highway 30 in Reliance, Tenn. This celebration of wild onions opens with Bluegrass & Beans at 7 p.m. Friday. The main event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, features live music, crafts and the traditional meal of ramps in eggs, white beans, cornbread, fried potatoes and streaked meat bacon. Proceeds benefit Polk County 4-H Clubs and Camp McCroy. 423-338-4503
- Red Door Market, a fundraiser for the Isaiah 117 House to be constructed at Chambliss Center for Children, is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 7547 East Brainerd Road. The event features children's activities, baked goods and other foods, home decor, gifts, garden items and handcrafts. 423-892-9131
- SCCA Pottery & More Market, presented by Scenic City Clay Arts, is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Stove Works, 1250 E. 13th St. The outdoor event includes more than 30 craft vendors, a "therapeutic" pottery smash booth ($5 donation), clay handbuilding activities, wheel-throwing demonstrations, food truck and live music. Admission is free. sceniccityclayarts.org
- Sweet Tea & Sunshine Family Festival, which has more than 150 arts, crafts and food vendors registered, is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Greenway Park and Pavilion, 755 Raider Drive in Cleveland, Tenn. Other events include live music, a petting zoo, pony rides and a children's beauty pageant. Admission is free. touchtheskyevents.com
- Sculptures in the Sky, a community event highlighting kites and Sculpture Fields' latest art installation, is noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. The theme, "Let Courage Soar," is a tribute to essential workers. The day includes the unveiling of "Courage" by internationally recognized artist and medical doctor Santiago Medina, as well as kite stunts and battles by River City Kites, music, food trucks and free kites for children while supplies last. Admission is free. sculpturefields.org
- Spring Plant Sale & Festival is this weekend at Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., is set aside for just the plant sale, which offers garden seeds and sustainably grown vegetable, fruit, herb and flower starts. The full festival, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, adds music, arts and crafts vendors, food and children's activities. Any leftover plants will be available online Monday. crabtreefarms.org
- Chattanooga Market, the area's premiere farmers market, is traditionally open Sundays at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St., but the start of a new season calls for a two-day celebration. Vendors with farm produce, artisan foods, fresh flowers, arts and crafts will be set up 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, along with food trucks and musicians providing live entertainment. Admission is free. chattanoogamarket.com
- National Cornbread Festival, which temporarily boosts the population of downtown South Pittsburg, Tenn., by several thousand residents, is this weekend. The signature event is Saturday's cornbread cook-off in which 10 finalists will prepare their submitted recipes for final judging on site. Samples of other cornbread specialities will be available from community organizations in Cornbread Alley. Music is scheduled morning to night on multiple stages, headlined Saturday by country artist Ben Haggard (son of Merle) and Sunday by bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent. The weekend also includes arts and crafts vendors, a 5K race, tours of Lodge Foundry and the historic downtown, a classic car cruise-in and carnival. Eating contests will reward the consumption of cornbread, ice cream and buttermilk. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (Central). Admission is $10 for one day, $15 for both, free for children preschool age and younger. Some activities cost extra. nationalcornbread.com
MUSIC
- Chattanooga Symphony & Opera presents its season finale, "Coleridge-Taylor and Sibelius," featuring guest violinist Elena Urioste, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets are $15-$90. chattanoogasymphony.org
- The Arts Avenue, 1800 Rossville Ave., welcomes folk artist John Mark McMillan at 8 p.m. Thursday. John Mark Pantana opens. Tickets are $20. theartsave.com
- Songbirds, 35 Station St., has two shows this weekend. Friday features Beatles tribute band Abbey Road Live at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20-$40. Sunday spotlights rock band Son Volt at 7 p.m. S.G. Goodman opens. Tickets are $27 in advance, $32 day of. songbirdsfoundation.org
- Campfire Concert Series begins a new season at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, with Chattanooga rock combo Behold the Brave entertaining at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Tickets include beer from Tremont Tavern and Hutton & Smith Brewery and the option to camp overnight. reflectionriding.org
- Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, hosts two big shows this weekend. Friday features country star Travis Tritt on his full-band Set in Stone tour at 8 p.m., with a special performance by Crawford & Power. Saturday offers a double bill of Southern rock by the Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special, with special guest On the Road, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $60-$140 for either show. hometownpromotions.net
- The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn., has a full weekend of shows. Friday features alt band Twiddle, with the Captain Midnight Band opening. Tickets start at $40. Saturday features dubstep artist Blunts & Blondes, with Shlump and Bawldy. Tickets start at $35. Sunday spotlights blues act JJ Grey & Mofro. Tickets start at $59. All shows start at 8 p.m. CDT and are standing room only. thecaverns.com
- Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., has two shows scheduled. Friday is the annual Masterworks Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Conn Center, 150 11th St. NE. The concert, featuring the Symphony Orchestra, Chorale and Choral Union, is dedicated to those suffering in Ukraine. Admission is free, nonticketed and may be livestreamed at leeu.live. Tuesday, the Presidential Concert Series will conclude its 29th season with a performance by concert pianist Louis Lortie at 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall, 340 Church St. NE. Tickets are $5-$15. 423-614-8343, Eventbrite.com
- Southern Adventist University in Collegedale has two free concerts this weekend. The Jazz Ensemble will salute jazz legend Charles Mingus in a performance at 9 p.m. Saturday in Ackerman Auditorium in Mabel Wood Hall on campus, 4881 Taylor Circle. The Symphony Orchestra will present a concert featuring Gustav Holst's "The Planets" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Drive East. Livestream: southern.edu/streaming
- The BATTLE Association, a nonprofit group sponsored by the Department of Music and the Division of Diversity and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, will present the BATTLE Ensemble in What's Going On? A Black Heritage Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday in Cadek Hall, 725 Oak St. BATTLE stands for Bringing Attention To The Lives Excluded. Admission is free. thebattleassociation.com
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St., will present a free Hymn Festival at 4 p.m. Sunday. It will be led by the Rev. Benjamin Straley, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Providence, R.I., and former organist of Washington National Cathedral, joined by the St. Paul's Senior Choir. stpaulschatt.org
- New Haven Baptist Church, 1058 Graysville Road, will welcome Nashville gospel artist Pam Weston in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday. A love offering will be received. 423-316-3718.
- Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., will present folk artist Sierra Ferrell, whose voice has drawn comparisons to Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Bessie Smith (combined), in concert at 8 p.m. Monday. This stop is part of a 42-city headlining tour in support of her latest album, "Long Time Coming." Tickets are $20. tivolichattanooga.com
- Jericho Brass Band will present "And Now for Something Different," a spring-themed concert, at 7 p.m. Monday in the open-air pavilion at Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. Marketplace vendors will be set up for browsing. Admission and parking are free. jerichobrassband.org
- Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will present the weekly installment of Jazz in the Lounge at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Dexter Bell & Friends. Admission is $5. barkinglegs.org
OUT & ABOUT
- For Her, a free women's health event, is 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, Ga. The expo includes health screenings, wellness vendors, mini massages, acupuncture, food, door prizes and giveaways. Register to receive a gift. hamiltonhealth.com
- Chair-ries Jubilee, a Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce fundraiser for arts in education, returns as a live event at 6 p.m. Friday at the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. Live and silent auctions will feature custom furniture and other items. Tickets may be purchased for $25 through 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Chamber office, 225 Keith St. SW, or for $30 at the door. 423-472-6587.
- The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., welcomes Mike Stanley for shows at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $17-$19. thecomedycatch.com
- Record Store Day, an annual celebration in which hundreds of current and vintage recordings are released in physical form by independent record stores, is Saturday. Chattanooga's participating stores include For the Record, 410 Northgate Mall; Inherent Records, 40 Frazier Ave.; McKay Used Books & CDs, 7734 Lee Highway; St. Pete Records, 4639 Shallowford Road; and Yellow Jacket Records, 2311 E. Main St. Titles may vary by store, and production issues will delay some releases until June 18. recordstoreday.com
- Kids Fishing Derby is 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the lake at Athens Regional Park, 2405 Decatur Pike in Athens, Tenn. Registration opens at 7 a.m. for the competition for ages 12 and younger. A fishing license is not required, but participants must have their own fishing pole and bait. To be eligible for prizes, the child must be able to cast and reel in a catch without assistance. Prizes include a tagged fish worth $500. athenstn.gov/parks
- MainStreet Cruise-In, which draws hundreds of classic cars to the Bradley County courthouse square, 155 N. Ocoee St. in Cleveland, Tenn., begins its 21st season Saturday. The monthly gatherings, which include food vendors and music, take place 1-6 p.m. fourth Saturdays through October. mainstreetcleveland.com
- Day Out With Thomas, which offers a train ride and other activities themed to the storybook Thomas the Tank Engine, is the next two weekends at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. Rides depart every hour, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (plus April 30- May 1). The station hosts characters, crafts, storytelling and videos to entertain before and after the trip. Tickets are $21 for ages 1 and older. tvrail.com
- Show Me Reptile & Exotics Show, featuring reptiles, amphibians and exotic mammals for sale, is open 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Saturday offers the option of early entry at 9 a.m. and the more laid-back Reptiles After Dark 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission, $15 VIP, $20 weekend pass. showmesnakes.com
- Chattanooga Burger Week, in which 20 area restaurants will offer $6 burger deals, is Monday through May 1. Dine-in, takeout and delivery options will vary. Diners can vote for a favorite for a chance to win prizes. chattanoogaburgerweek.com
- CTC Book Club, organized by the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, will meet to discuss "The Originalist," at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Mainstage lobby, 400 River St. John Strand's play depicts the relationship between U.S. Supreme Court associate justice Antonin Scalia and a fictional law clerk whose views differ from his. A PDF of the script is available on the club's Facebook page.
- Blue Zones program: Dan Buettner Jr., vice president of Blue Zones, which spreads awareness of practices common to the regions where the world's longest-lived people live, will speak at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the UTC University Center, 642 E. Fifth St. Research by Buettner's father has shown that a ZIP code has a greater impact on longevity health than an individual's genetic code. RSVP: bluezones.com/chattanooga-community-event
- Death Cafe, a gathering for people to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death, is 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at 3131 Quiet Creek Trail, the new location of Welcome Home of Chattanooga, a hospice for the homeless. Unlike grief support or a counseling session, the discussion is meant to help people make the most of their lives. RSVP: 423-355-5842, judith@welcomehomeofchattanooga.org
SPECTATOR SPORTS
- Chattanooga Lookouts, the Class AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, have a six-game home series against the Tennessee Smokies next week at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Promotions include buy one, get one tickets with a Food City ValuCard on Tuesday and a Chick-fil-A giveaway, delivered via app, on Wednesday. Games start at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $6-$11. lookouts.com
- Chattanooga Red Wolves, a United Soccer League professional men's team, plays FC Tucson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way. Tickets are $15-$52. chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com
THEATER
- "Death and Taxes": The Gem Players begin their 29th season with a mystery/comedy the next two weekends at the Gem Theater, 700 Tennessee Ave. in Etowah, Tenn. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with the same schedule April 28-May 1. Tickets are $12-$15. 423-263-3270
- "The Hallelujah Girls," a Southern comedy, will be staged this weekend and next at Oak Street Playhouse, 418 Oak St. (behind First-Centenary United Methodist Church). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. April 28-30 and 2 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $12-$17. brownpapertickets.com
- Opera Scenes: Lee University Opera Theatre will present scenes and solos from the opera repertoire for its spring performance at 3 p.m. Sunday in Squires Recital Hall, 130 Parker St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. Admission is free and nonticketed. leeuniversity.edu
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, a live production based on a PBS animated series inspired by "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," is scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Avenue. The show features new songs and fan favorites, including the beloved "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Tickets are $25-$78. tivolichattanooga.com
ARTS
- River Gallery, 400 E. Second St., will feature an artist demo by David Salerno 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Salerno specializes in still lifes in oil. river-gallery.com
- Freedom Gallery, a pop-up art sale to aid in sex-trafficking prevention efforts, will take place 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Chattanooga's Together Cafe, 801 S. Orchard Knob Ave. The event is hosted by Lee University alumna Kelsey Yoder, who has so far raised $8,000 of a $25,000 pledge she made in 2018 to support anti-sex trafficking efforts in Thailand through Remember Nhu, which operates safe houses for children in 16 countries. Guests are asked to wear black, red or white formal attire. Admission is $5-$15. Eventbrite.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.