The Chattanooga City Celebration & Ciclovia will wheel through six Chattanooga neighborhoods as one of RiverRocks' newest events this weekend.
This rolling street party is a bicycle ride of 6 miles that connects neighborhoods between the Bessie Smith Cultural Center to Dodson Avenue. It will be held from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8.
The free family event will allow cyclists of all levels to ride through Chattanooga, stopping at six locations: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, South Holtzclaw Avenue, Highland Park Commons, Ridgedale, Orchard Knob Elementary School and Glass Street.
"The idea is to give Chattanoogans the opportunity to see the city and its communities in a different light. To see neighborhoods they wouldn't normally see. To interact with others they normally wouldn't interact with," said Jim Johnson, a local cycling advocate who conceived the idea.
"And by making this a biking and walking event, we're encouraging people to get out of their cars and connect with each other in a fun, unique and energizing way."
Roads will be partially closed to provide a wide bike lane, with street musicians performing along the way.
The first stop of the inaugural Chattanooga City Celebration & Ciclovia is BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee parking lot, where attendees can park their vehicles and ride over to The Bessie for music, locally brewed craft beer, free food and outdoor activities.
There will be climbing contests, group exercise with Orange Theory Fitness, soccer activities with the Chattanooga Football Club, the Chattahooligans and Operation Get Active. There will also be a "Pin the Bike on the Polling Place" game to help spread the word on polling locations and remind people of the importance of voting.
Festivals will be staggered, so each will start an hour after the previous stop.
Other stops will include art and dance at the Mural Fest & Arts Expo stop, the Highland Park Community Festival, Ridgedale Art in the Alley, Kids' Corner @ the Knob at Orchard Knob Elementary and Glass Street Live, an annual parade and celebration to cap the day.
Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.