The 4 Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga's premier visual art event, leads a list of at least nine festivals scheduled this weekend. Here's a look around the region.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
— Unclaimed Baggage Museum grand opening: The lost luggage retail store in Scottsboro, Ala., will mark the opening of a museum whose curated collection showcases more than 100 of the most unusual finds unpacked from lost bags since the business started in 1970. Items include musical instruments from around the world, suits of armor and a basketball signed by Michael Jordan. The ribbon cutting, with cake, is set for 11 a.m. Friday. The celebration continues 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday (all times Central) with food trucks, music, games, vendors and guided tours. The address is 509 W. Willow St. unclaimedbaggage.com
(READ MORE: Oscar winner's suit came from Unclaimed Baggage)
— Polk County Ramp Tramp Festival: This 65th annual celebration of ramps, also known as wild leeks, kicks off 6-8 p.m. Friday with Bluegrass & Beans, featuring a meal of white beans, cornbread, raw ramps and fried potatoes and ramps. Saturday's ramp meal, served 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will consist of fried ramps in eggs, fried potatoes, country bacon, white beans and cornbread. Bands are scheduled both days. Ramps will be sold by the bag while supplies last. Proceeds benefit Polk County 4-H Clubs and Camp McCroy, where the festival is held. The address is 1058 Highway 30, Reliance, Tenn. Admission is free. ramptrampfestival.com
(READ MORE: Little stinkers: It's time to hunt — and celebrate — the ramps of Appalachia)
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
— Spring Plant Sale & Festival: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., will kick off gardening season with a sale of sustainably grown vegetable annuals, perennials, landscape flowers and berry and fruit plant starts, along with seeds for vegetables best sown directly. The accompanying festival, with live music, arts and crafts, food and children's events, is scheduled 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The plant sale concludes 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. crabtreefarms.org
— Trails & Trilliums: Friends of South Cumberland State Parks sponsors this spring salute to the great outdoors at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Conference Center, 58 Hege Ave., Beersheba Springs, Tenn. The native plant sale, vendor area and children's activities are free. Hikes, workshops and other events require registration, which is $75-$150 for the weekend. Or go a la carte for $15 per program. trailsandtrilliums.org
SATURDAY
— Kid Quest: This family fun expo will take place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Adults may enter for $10; children will need the $25 wristband that offers meet-and-greet access to the costumed superheroes and princesses, along with other perks. Magic shows, animal shows and vendors also are included. kidquestexpo.com
— Sweet Tea & Sunshine Family Festival: Greenway Park, 755 Raider Drive NW, Cleveland, Tenn., is headquarters for this gathering of 150-plus arts, crafts and food vendors. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. touchtheskyevents.com
— Sculptures in the Sky: Colorful kites will be the main attraction for this free event, scheduled 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. River City Kites will provide stunt kites and Japanese battle kites in addition to more traditional versions. Some of the kites are so massive — spanning 20 feet, according to press material — that they must be anchored to the ground. Children can participate in the Running of the Bols, a race with parachute-like kites. Music, food trucks and a beer tent are also part of festivities. sculpturefields.org
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
— 4 Bridges Arts Festival: The distinctive talents of more than 145 artists will be showcased at this weekend event at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Gate admission is $5 for ages 18 and older. Want a sneak peek? A preview party, 6-10 p.m. Friday, grants early access, with wines, cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres to enjoy as you mingle. avarts.org
(READ MORE: 4 Bridges Arts Festival judged as one of country's best)
SUNDAY
— 423 Day Festival: This event, scheduled 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Miller Park, 928 Market St., marks the concurrence of the date and the area code. It will feature live music, comedy, dance, artists and retailers. Admission is free. 423day.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / Dozens of kites fill the sky during Sculptures in the Sky, a community kite event at the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, on April 23, 2022.