Today’s Forecast

54º | Rain | 99% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:49 a.m. | Sunset 5:46 p.m.

🍰 A sweet park update

Little Debbie Park set to open this fall

The park will be located at the Collegedale Commons on Swinyar Drive. | Photo by @cityofcollegedale

The Little Debbie Park located at Collegedale Commons is set to open this fall. The sweet treat-themed park sits on a 10-acre parcel of land that was purchased + donated in 2021 by the McKee Family of McKee Foods Corporation (the manufacturer of the brand Little Debbie).

The park is meant to create a “relaxed and natural area focusing on people rather than things,” according to the park’s website.

Construction of the park is well underway — here are some of the amenities you can expect come fall.

NOOGAtoday | Little Debbie 2 — See large-scale versions of your favorite Little Debbie treats at the park.
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Photo by @cityofcollegedale

The park will feature several Little Debbie snack-shaped play sculptures such as:

An Oatmeal Creme Pie + Nutty Bar seating sculptures (kid and adult-friendly)
A Cosmic Brownie climbing wall
A 6-ft tall Polyshield Christmas Tree (pictured above)
A Chocolate Cupcake sculpture

Bonus: a life-sized bronze statue of Little Debbie herself may be in the works.

NOOGAtoday | Little Debbie 3 — The park will feature green areas and playgrounds for everyone to enjoy.
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Photo by @cityofcollegedale

Along with the Little Debbie snack-themed sculptures, the space will have several other amenities for parkgoers to enjoy. Some of the highlights include:

One large pavilion with restrooms + five small pavilions
Swings, benches, picnic tables + bike racks
83 standard + four ADA-compatible parking spaces
Playgrounds (with all kinds of nature-themed structures for the kiddos to enjoy)
Green space with enough trees + plants to qualify for arboretum status

Make sure to follow the City of Collegedale on Facebook and Instagram for park updates + an official opening date.

Events

Today, April 18

Beginner Knitting: Reusable Dishcloth | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $35 | Learn fundamental knitting skills in this class by making a reusable dishcloth.
Frank Hurricane + Cult Baby | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 8-11 p.m. | The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga | $10-$15 | Enjoy a performance by Frank Hurricane, Cult Baby, and a “secret spiritual guest.”

Wednesday, April 19

Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $25 | This class will teach you four basic elements to turn your outdoor space into a habitat that supports local wildlife.
The Arcadian Wild | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $25-$35 | All proceeds from the show will benefit the Dynamo Studios’ mentoring program for local students pursuing arts.

Thursday, April 20

UTC Technology Symposium | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Downtown Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | See the innovative research projects by community members conducted across multiple disciplines like engineering + computer sciences.
Nature by the Pint: Snorkeling Clear Mountain Water | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-7 p.m. | Barley Chattanooga, 235 E. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+ | This month, hear from Casper Cox, a local expert + author on freshwater fish in Southern Appalachia.
Candle Workshop | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hutton & Smith, 431 E. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga | $80 | Make your own candles with The Rustic House and take two home with you after the workshop — tickets include admittance for two + two drink vouchers.

Friday, April 21

Annual Spring Plant Sale + Festival | Friday, Apr. 21-Sunday, Apr. 23 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Come out to the farm’s annual event featuring plants and seeds for purchase, live music, arts + craft vendors, food, activities, and more.
Drink and Discover: Proms from the Past | Friday, Apr. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | $40-$75 | This prom-themed event is for adults 21+ and will have plenty of food + drinks, dancing, activities, and more fun.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Hey, Titans fans. Today the Tennessee Titans Road Show will make a stop in the Scenic City at the Dunkin’ Donuts location at 4535 Hwy. 58. You can meet T-Rac + the Titans’ cheerleaders from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Bonus: the first 100 fans will receive a free glazed doughnut. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Cause

Locals can participate in the TN/GA State Line Clean Up Day along Rossville Boulevard on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Led by The BLVD Project, this year’s event will focus on the artwork on abandoned buildings + landscaping. Sign up to volunteer. (Local 3)
Be The Change Youth Initiative is seeking community sponsors as it gears up for the 2023 Concert For A Cause series — which will help fund its new Community Fridge initiative. The sponsorship comes in varying levels with different publicity perks. Inquire here.

Biz

BASF’s sites in Chattanooga recently formed an Internal Confined Space Rescue Team. Employees took a 40-hour confined space rescue training class and learned how to safely extract and stabilize an injured person. (Chattanoogan.com)

Finance

The Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) will host two “Financial Fitness Workouts” during its Money School event on Saturday, April 22. The limited one-on-one classes will be led by CNE’s Financial Capabilities Coach Jacki Madding. Register online.

Outdoors

Join Ivy Academy for its Running with Sasquatch 5k on Saturday, April 22. Attendees can take a walk + run on an out-and-back trail along North Chickamauga Creek. Bonus: those that beat Sasquatch will win an “I Whooped Sas” trucker hat.

Community

The Chattery will host a Self-Care Market on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will feature local vendors selling self-care products, massages, and more. Stay tuned for more updates.

Arts

A new art installation titled “Treasured Places” was completed by nine local artists to celebrate + support the Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT). Folks are invited to attend a VIP Preview Party on Wednesday, April 26 at Townsend Atelier. Get your tickets.

Theater

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre will celebrate 100 years in its 2023-24 season. To highlight this monumental anniversary, the organization will host 11 shows throughout the year ranging from classic to “comically campy” productions. Check out the lineup.

Travel

What trip would be worth leaving Chattanooga? For City Editor Kristen, it’s Spain — to walk the Camino de Santiago. Sign up for Going to get notified when flight prices drop, like a $241 flight to Barcelona (a real deal booked by a member). Join for free.

Shop

This wedding season make sure to shower the happy couple with the perfect gift. Our online store (Six & Main) features presents such as dinner napkins by Willow Ship and celebratory cards by Joy Paper Co. Start shopping.

Shop

🎁 Gifting made simple

Find gifts at every price point. | Photo via Pexels

Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift, a housewarming present, or a little something that says “I’m thinking of you,” we’ve curated this guide with 25 gifts that fit any budget.

Smoked bacon sea salt ($14.99) | For the friend always searching for the perfect smoky flavor.

Portable campfire ($30) | Who says you have to go camping to enjoy a campfire? With this portable campfire, roast marshmallows any time, anywhere.

Bamboo cheese board and knife set ($55.99) | This compact set features a cheese board and knives, ceramic bowls, a bamboo fruit tray, and reusable labels.

Pickleball sweatshirt ($65) | For the loved one that spends more time on the pickleball court than anywhere else. Bonus: We bet they’ll love this pickleball tote too.

Shiatsu massage pillow ($84.95) | Anyone that works from home or in an office will love this pressure and tension-relieving gift.

20 more gift ideas

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kristen Templeton

From the editor

Have y’all stopped by Oddstory Brewing Co.'s The Greenhouse Barrel + Taproom lately? They recently revealed their newly renovated backspace with double the seating, double the games (including shuffleboard + darts), and an outdoor patio.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Go shorty, it’s your Earth Day.

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