Public invited to 3 upcoming community events provided by green|spaces

"The Pool" is the central art piece for festivals being held in three local neighborhoods this month: East Chattanooga, Highland Park and East Lake.
"The Pool" is the central art piece for festivals being held in three local neighborhoods this month: East Chattanooga, Highland Park and East Lake.

Cutting costs

One of the easiest — and no-cost — ways to save energy is unplugging your devices, according to green|spaces Director of Development Dawn Hjelseth. Whether it be your television, microwave, cellphone charger or coffee maker, these items use energy even when you’re not using them.Another easy option is changing out your light bulbs, she added. Incandescent light bulbs aren’t the best option for your home. LED light bulbs generate less heat, use less energy and last much longer, and require minimal up-front cost, especially when compared to the monthly savings on your electric bill, Hjelseth said.

photo "The Pool" is the central art piece for festivals being held in three local neighborhoods this month: East Chattanooga, Highland Park and East Lake.
photo "The Pool" is the central art piece for festivals being held in three local neighborhoods this month: East Chattanooga, Highland Park and East Lake.

Forty thousand LED lights that change based on movements, spread throughout 106 circular pads - that's what makes up "The Pool."

The interactive art piece, created by light sculptor Jen Lewin, has traveled the world and entertained countless people of all ages, and now it has arrived in Chattanooga for events in three different neighborhoods that have something in common: high utility bills.

The East Chatt Highlight Festival, being held April 21-23 at 1901 Roanoke Ave.; the Highland Park Festival of Lights, being held April 25-26 at the Highland Park Commons; and Book Fiesta Weekend, being held April 28-30 at East Lake Park, are three of the many events that local sustainability nonprofit green|spaces provides for local communities. This time, "The Pool" will be a central component to open a dialogue about energy usage and ways to personally reduce it while saving homeowners money.

"The reason we're having these [events] is because we wanted to find a fun, interactive way to engage communities that have high utility bills," said green|spaces Director of Development Dawn Hjelseth. "Most of the time, energy is thought about through light."

Along with "The Pool," there will be live music, vendors, games and other family activities at each of the events.

For more information about the three planned community events, other programs offered by green|spaces, or general inquiries about the business, visit greenspaceschattanooga.org or call 648-0963.

Schedule of events

East Chatt Highlight Festival1901 Roanoke Ave., near Glass Street and across from Hope for the Inner CityApril 21: 7:30-10:30 p.m.Lyrical Lights: Hip Hop & Spoken Word ShowcaseApril 22: 3-10:30 p.m.Gospel on Glass featuring Marcellus Barnes and Unity Performing Arts FoundationLive DJ starting at 7:30 p.m.April 23: 3-10:30 p.m.Family-fun picnic including bounce houses, games, vendors and foodLive DJ starting at 7:30 p.m.Highland Park Festival of LightsHighland Park Commons, located at 2000 Union Ave.April 25: 7:30-10:30 p.m.Local showcase featuring art, music, biking, dance and vendorsApril 26: 7:30-10:30 p.m.Open play with music by DJ Flux308Book Fiesta WeekendEast Lake Park, located at 3000 E. 34th St.April 28: 7:30-10:30 p.m.Open play with performances by Expression Engine and Seaux ChillApril 29: 2-10:30 p.m.Book Fiesta featuring music, games and family activitiesLive DJ starting at 7:30 p.m.April 30: 7:30-10:30 p.m.Closing night with open play and music

photo "The Pool" is the central art piece for festivals being held in three local neighborhoods this month: East Chattanooga, Highland Park and East Lake.

Upcoming Events