Your Monday at a glance:
- Weather: High of 84.
- What to do: I had a lot of fun at the corgi parade in St. Elmo a few weeks ago (see the photo of the day), and now there’s an upcoming Running of the Chihuahuas. Here read more about that and other Chattanooga area events happening this week.
- What’s impressive: East Hamilton basketball star Cade Pendleton recently signed onto a college deal with UC San Diego. “I have never seen a more selfless kid,” said his coach, Andy Webb.
- What to see: Here’s a gallery from the aquarium’s sturgeon release for Earth Day last Friday.
Good morning, Chattanooga!
Almost exactly 30 years ago this week, on May 1, 1992, the Tennessee Aquarium first opened its doors to the public. It’s a move many say helped revitalize Chattanooga and its riverfront.
“The aquarium was the catalyst for the whole riverfront district,” said Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality. “It gave confidence to developers like me to build hotels in downtown Chattanooga. Before the aquarium opened, there were just not any new hotels or even many apartments built near the river in many years.”
From ocean and river exhibits to educational and conservation efforts, over the years the attractions have been a site for tourism and entertainment. (There is definitely a picture somewhere of me as a kid in the Tennessee Aquarium butterfly garden.)