The Tennessee Aquarium's 30th-anniversary celebration and the Walk Run Pedal Jamz Festival will take over Chattanooga's riverfront Saturday.
(READ MORE: Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga's biggest tourist magnet, turns 30)
Activities begin at Ross's Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway, with a 30-minute walk and 30-minute run with a choice of start times: 8, 9 or 10 a.m. Participants in a 30K bike ride, coordinated by Pedego Chattanooga, should be on-site by 10:45 a.m.
The weekly Chattanooga River Market, with arts, crafts and food vendors, opens at 10 a.m. on the Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Several community organizations will have family games and activities set up on the Chattanooga Green, 100 Chestnut St., starting at 11 a.m.
The "Jamz" portion of the day, featuring nine musical acts, will be highlighted by Chattanooga's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Willie Kitchens, formerly of The Impressions, and Season 12 "Voice" winner Chris Blue.
(READ MORE: Catch up with Willie Kitchens)
Fireworks end the celebration at 9 p.m. For more, visit tnaqua.org and walkrunpedaljamzfestival.com.
Here's a look at other upcoming events.
SPECTATOR SPORTS
- Chattanooga Lookouts, the Class AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, will host the first guest entertainer of the season during their current home series against the Tennessee Smokies at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Tyler Scheuer, who has been featured on "America's Got Talent," "The Go Big Show" and other national broadcasts, will display his "Amazing Balancing Act" during Saturday's game. Other promotions include Thursday drink specials; EPB Night (with a voucher for four free LED light bulbs to the first 1,000 guests) and fireworks on Friday; a used car giveaway Saturday; Chattanooga Tourism Day and a food drive for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank (exchange a canned good for a free general-admission ticket) on Sunday. Families can play catch on the field after Sunday's game, and kids can run the bases after every game. Games start at 7:15 p.m. except Sunday's at 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $6-$11. lookouts.com
- Boyd's Speedway, 1481 Scruggs Road in Ringgold, Ga., is hosting the Let's Get Dirty Autism Weekend, featuring singer/actor John Schneider. Races start at 7 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Family activities, Saturday only, include a car show (11 a.m.-2 p.m., $25 registration), meet-and-greet with Schneider, inflates and helicopter rides. Tickets are $15-$30 Friday, $20-$40 Saturday. Some events with Schneider cost extra. boydsspeedway.com
- Alhambra Shrine Rodeo, an International Professional Rodeo Association competition, starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Tri-State Exhibition Center, 200 Natures Trail SW in McDonald, Tenn. Special guest is rodeo clown Dusty Myers. Tickets are $10-$15. 423-892-0223
- Chattanooga Football Club, a National Independent Soccer Association professional men's team, will play Flower City Union at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Carter St. For EPB Night, the first 1,000 guests receive a voucher for four free LED bulbs. Tickets are $7-$16. chattanoogafc.com
MUSIC
- Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., has three shows this weekend, all starting at 8 p.m. Thursday: rocker Melissa Etheridge on her One Way Out tour; tickets are $59-$115. Friday: country rock's Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; $35-$75. Saturday: folk artist Patty Griffin; $35-$55. tivolichattanooga.com
- The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St., has three upcoming shows. Thursday: thrash metal band Testament, with Exodus and Death Angel, at 6:50 p.m.; tickets are $30. Friday: country band Pecos & The Rooftops, with Joint Custody, 8 p.m.; $20. Monday: rock band Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, with Drayton Farley, at 7:30 p.m; $27-$50. thesignaltn.com
- Songbirds, 35 Station St., has three shows over two nights. Friday opens with "An Evening With Scott Miller," an alt-country singer/songwriter, at 7 p.m.; tickets are $20. His set will be followed at 9:45 p.m. by experimental rock group Battles; tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of. Saturday brings guitarist Paul Childers' salute to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix at 7 p.m; tickets are $15. songbirdsfoundation.org
- Campfire Concert Series continues at 6:30 p.m. Friday with Slim Pickins Bluegrass performing at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road. The evening includes beer from Tremont Tavern and Hutton & Smith Brewery and the option to camp overnight. Tickets are $20-$25. reflectionriding.org
- Chattanooga Gospel Music Festival, presented by the nationally syndicated "Gospel Radio Favorites" show, debuts this weekend at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Headlining are The LeFevre Quartet on Friday and The Guardians on Saturday, plus another 14 acts each day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 daily. gospelradiofavorites.com
- Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., has three events on the books. Saturday spotlights the Willie Watson String Band, featuring the latest project of the folk singer, guitarist and banjo player who co-founded Old Crow Medicine Show. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Sunday is an open house to celebrate the return of the building's "legs," freshly painted by Lovely Intoxication. The event, 4-7 p.m., includes music, dance and art demos. Jazz in the Lounge continues Wednesday with the Alan Wyatt Quartet. Admission is $5. barkinglegs.org
- The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road in Pelham, Tenn., reports a sellout of Saturday's show by rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, though resells may be available in the official ticket exchange. thecaverns.com
- Carolyn Baptist Church, 2305 Cleveland Highway in Dalton, Ga., will host gospel group The Perrys at 6 p.m. Sunday. perrysministries.com
- MacDowell Music Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road. The program features organist Beth Nichols; piano quartet Steve Hollingsworth, Joy Mays, Bruce Clark and Sylvia Friedl; and piano duets by Beth and Alan Nichols and Margaret Ann Randolph and Bruce Ashton.
COMEDY
- The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., welcomes Tracey MacDonald this weekend. Shows start at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $17-$19. Open Mic Night for rising talents is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $7. thecomedycatch.com
- Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., will host comedian (and actor) Tom Segura on his I'm Coming Everywhere world tour at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $35-$99. tivolichattanooga.com
OUT & ABOUT
- ConnectHer, a fundraiser celebrating a milestone for A Step Ahead Chattanooga, is 5-7 p.m. Thursday in Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. The evening includes art demonstrations, live music by Somersault String Ensemble, hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and a silent auction. All proceeds go to A Step Ahead, which since its founding in 2014 has connected more than 5,000 women in the tri-state area to free birth control. Admission is free, but registration is requested. Eventbrite.com
(READ MORE: A Step Ahead Chattanooga receives $250,000 grant)
- Chattanooga Burger Week continues through Sunday at 20 local restaurants. Promotions vary, but the minimal offer is a specialty burger for $6. See the burgers to try and information on entering the Big Beefy Sweepstakes at chattanoogaburgerweek.com
- Ten Toda Days, using the Hebrew word to express gratitude and appreciation for Israel, are underway daily through May 6 at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace (unless otherwise noted). Among the programs are Family Israel Day, with games and food, at 11 a.m. Sunday at Mizpah Congregation, 923 McCallie Ave.; a ticketed live or virtual performance by Israeli country musician Omer Netzer at 5:30 p.m. Monday; a soldier-based musical program at 7 p.m. Tuesday; and a "A Taste of Memories," highlighting the favorite dishes of soldiers, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Most events are free, but reservations are required for all. jewishchattanooga.com
- Scenic City State Fair, aka Thrillville, opens Thursday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. The attraction includes carnival rides by Kissel Entertainment, games, food booths, daily shows (Aquatic Acrobatics, Sea Lion Splash, Dominguez Circus, Wild West Medicine Show) through May 8. Hours 5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $10 (free for kids under 36 inches, seniors 65 and older). Unlimited rides cost $30 Tuesday through Friday, $35 Saturday through Monday. Individual ride tickets are also available. thethrillville.com/eastridge
- Family Night Hike, the next in a series of treks led by Mad Hatter Massage & Wellness, starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park, 88 Ben Holmes Road in Ringgold, Ga. Cost is $5. eventbrite.com
- City Nature Challenge: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, is leading the local effort as Chattanooga joins more than 500 cities worldwide in finding and documenting plants and wildlife. Free guided identification programs are scheduled 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. reflectionriding.org
- YMCA Healthy Kids Day, which encourages healthy habits and active play, is Saturday. Activities are 9 a.m.-noon at three Chattanooga-area locations: the Downtown Family YMCA, which will be set up at Miracle League Field at Warner Park, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.; Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road; and YMCA Healthy Living Center at North River, 4138 Hixson Pike. The Cleveland Family YMCA, 220 Urbane Road NE., starts its outdoor activities at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Color Run at 11 a.m. This 2.5K fun run/walk requires registration and fee payment of $10 per person, $15 per family. All other activities are free. ymcachattanooga.org
- Safe Kids Day, presented by Children's Hospital at Erlanger and the Safe Kids Southeast Tennessee Coalition is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Activities are free with regular admission: $12-$17 (online tickets $2 cheaper). chattzoo.org
- Normalpalooza, a music and arts festival, is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Normal Park Elementary School, 1009 Mississippi Ave. The day features local artists, bands, a vendor marketplace, Kids Zone, food trucks and interactive art projects. An all-access kids pass is $30 at the gate, or get in free and pay per activity ($1 per ticket; 1-5 tickets per activity); Adult admission is $5. eventbrite.com
- Woodland Fairy Craft Festival, featuring handmade crafts, food and drink, is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Point Park, 230 Chickamauga Drive in Dayton, Tenn. Themed costumes are encouraged. Admission is free. Facebook.com/WdFairyCrftFest
- Drive-Thru BBQ, a fundraiser to help a local family raise $5,000 for a mission trip, is Saturday at Daisy United Methodist Church, 9508 Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. Plates of homemade pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, bread and sauce will be sold at 11 a.m. until all is gone. Cost is $12. Proceeds will help the Burke family volunteer at Lighthouse Family Retreat, which serves families affected by childhood cancer. Donations also will be accepted. 423-332-3243
- Running of the Chihuahuas, a Cinco de Mayo celebration highlighted by dog races, is Saturday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. Gates open at 12:30, and races are expected to start after a best-dressed contest at 3:30 p.m. The event includes a Kid Zone, photo booth, food trucks, door prizes and entertainment by house DJ Alex Angelo and singers Caley Rose, Charlotte Sands and Jena Rose. Admission is free. hits96.com
- The Portal Party: Stove Works, a century-old building at 1250 E. 13th St. that has been certified as haunted by Stones River Paranormal, plans this bewitching fundraiser, to include a bonfire, tarot readings, live music, food and drink, 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $33. stoveworks.org
- Movie Night at the South Post, a family movie screening at the former site of the World War II-era 3rd Women's Army Corps Training Center, starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Directions will be given at registration, which is limited to 50. Rain date is May 7. 423-821-7786April 30: Woodland Fair Craft Festival at Point Park, Dayton
- Springtime at Spring Place, showcasing the grounds of the Chief Vann House, 82 Georgia Highway 225 North in Chatsworth, Ga., is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The day includes crafts, guerilla gardening, birding and tree identification hikes, nature bingo, a guest lecture on "Moravian Gardening, Forestry and Botany" by Eric Jackson, director of horticulture at the Old Salem Museum and Gardens in Winston-Salem, N.C., plus tours of the historic house on the final weekend of its historic map exhibit. Admission is $5-$6. gastateparks.org/chiefvannhouse
- Day Out With Thomas, with a train ride and other activities geared to the storybook Thomas the Tank Engine, is in its final weekend at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. Activities take place 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ride tickets are $21 for ages 1 and older. tvrail.com
- History fair: Postponed from January by a COVID-19 surge, this annual event by the Soddy, Daisy and Montlake Historical Association is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Soddy Daisy High School, 618 Sequoyah Access Road. Nearly 70 vendors will have items of historical interest on display, and a tag sale, silent auction and bake sale will raise funds for the capital campaign. Admission is a $3 donation. soddydaisymuseum.com
- Wine & Art in Ringgold, a prelude to next week's opening of Rabbit Valley Farmers Market, is 6-9 p.m Saturday at 96 Depot St. in Ringgold, Ga. This meet-the-vendors celebration includes local art, live music, food and wine. Admission is free. rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com
(READ MORE: Northwest Georgia farmers markets growing community)
- 150th Celebration: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 650 McCallie Ave., celebrates its sesquicentennial 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday with art, music, poetry and historical exhibits. Guest speaker for the 11 a.m. worship service is Terri Hord Owens, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada. RSVP: 423-267-4506, victoria@firstchristian-chat.com
- Chattanooga Youth Week, a project of the Mayor's Youth Council, culminates with a celebration 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday in Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Food trucks, music and vendors will be on site, and arts and crafts projects will be led by ArtsBuild and the Chattanooga Public Library Youth Services. connect.chattanooga.gov/myc
- Chattanooga Market's Jazz Band Showcase will feature the talents of student ensembles from Hamilton County middle and high schools 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion,1826 Carter St. Local produce, arts and crafts are featured weekly at Chattanooga's premier farmers market. Admission is free. chattanoogamarket.com
- Perry's Promise fun-raiser: An open competition at That Axe Throwing Place, 119 N. Chattanooga St. in LaFayette, Ga., is 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $20 to participate, with $5 going to Perry's Promise, a nonprofit animal welfare agency that provides affordable spay/neuter services and other aid to Walker County pet owners in need. Door prizes will be awarded to top scorers each hour. The Walker County Sheriff's Department and Walker County Rescue will compete at 4 p.m. Facebook.com/PerrysPromise
(READ MORE: That Axe Throwing Place opening in LaFayette)
- UnBought & UnBossed Luncheon, a Tuesday fundraiser for Girls Inc., has sold out. girlsincofchatt.org/ubub
ARTS
- Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, presents an Art Wise program with Jeanine Michna-Bales 6-7 p.m. Thursday. The artist, whose work is included in the current exhibition, "Beyond the Frame: Celebrating 70 Years of Collecting," will discuss her Photographs From the Underground Railroad series and other works. huntermuseum.org
- WanderLinger Gallery at WanderLinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St., features artists Izzy Massey, Scottie Leigh, Cassandra Dennis, Sophie Stark and Clay Hardwick in a show 6-8 p.m. Saturday. Artist talks start at 7:15 p.m. Rik@WanderLinger.com
- Photographic Society of Chattanooga opens its spring show with a reception 6-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Works will be on view through July 22. publicity@chattanoogaphoto.org
- Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St. in Dalton, Ga., will present Spring for the Arts, a champagne brunch celebrating International Sculpture Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the Robert T. Webb Sculpture Garden and Spigel Pavilion. The $55 ticket includes a three-course catered brunch, champagne or wine (cash bar for extra glasses), docent-guided tours, gallery exhibits, live music and prize raffles. Proceeds fund Arts in Education programs. creativeartsguild.org
- River Gallery, 400 E. Second St., presents jewelry artist Liz Hanson in a demonstration 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The gallery is featuring works by James Conner and pottery by Mitch Yung through April. river-gallery.com
THEATER
- The Colorful Hat Circus & Variety Show, a showcase of juggling, acrobatics, magic and other circus acts by award-winning performers, is 7 p.m. Friday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Tickets are $25-$35 (free for lap-sitting children 2 and younger). ColorfulHat.com/Chattanooga
- Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., presents its Youth Theatre production of the children's classic "The Velveteen Rabbit" the next two weekends. Show is at 7 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday (same schedule May 6-8). Tickets are $10-$12. theatrecentre.com
- Southeast Whitfield High School Theatre Department will present "The Addams Family Musical," with a cast of 25, the next two weekends at the school, 1954 Riverbend Road, Dalton, Ga. Show time is at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. May 6-7. Tickets are $7-$10. 706-876-7000
- Tennessee Valley Theatre, 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn., presents the final weekend of "12 Incompetent Jurors," a parody of the courtroom drama "12 Angry Men," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12-$14. tennesseevalleytheatre.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.