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68º Mostly sunny | 1% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:49 a.m. | Sunset 8:27 p.m.

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo locally

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Chattanooga, TN

One of Chattanooga’s most beloved (and unique) events will return this weekend. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

It’s almost time to celebrate one of the biggest holidays in Mexican culture — Cinco de Mayo.

The holiday honors Mexico’s victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The Second Franco-Mexican War didn’t end that day, but the battle became a symbol of resistance against foreign powers.

If you’re looking to observe the holiday, we’ve rounded up some great local celebrations with plenty to eat, drink, and do in the Scenic City.

Food Truck Fridays: Cinco de Mayo | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga, 5704 Marlin Rd. | Price of purchase | Grab lunch from one of the many food truck vendors and see who will win the taco competition.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Taco Mamacita, 109 N. Market St. | Price of purchase | Enjoy all-day specials on some of the spot’s signature drinks.

NOOGAtoday | Cinco de Mayan — Dance the night away at Mayan Kitchen.
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Photo provided by Mayan Kitchen

Cinco de Mayan | Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6 | 4 p.m.-11 p.m. + 11 p.m-3 a.m. | Mayan Kitchen, 507 Broad St. | Free+ | Enjoy an outdoor party with drink specials and tasty eats until 11 p.m., then stay for an indoor late night party with music and dancing.

Cinco de Mayo: Chattanooga Red Wolves vs. South Georgia Tormenta | Friday, May 5 | 7:30 p.m. | CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way | $12-$84 | Come out for a pre-match DJ, margarita specials, and Cinco de Mayo food takeovers in the concessions as you cheer on the Red Wolves. Bonus: Stay for a post-match concert at the Howl Bar in the stadium.

Running of the Chihuahuas | Saturday, May 6 | 12 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. | Free+ | Come out for the 14th annual ROTC race, participate in a best-dressed contest, enjoy live music by Olivia Lunny, and more.

More Cinco de Mayo happenings

Events

Today, May 2

Garden Fitness Class | Tuesday, May. 2 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Chattanooga Fitness Center, 1254 E. 3rd St., Chattanooga | Free | Learn techniques and exercises to do to help you stay active for gardening.

Wednesday, May 3

Chattanooga Community Food Access: A Vision for the Future | Wednesday, May 3 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | UTC University Center Tennessee Room, 710 E. 5th St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Learn about and discuss community food access challenges and ways to move forward in Chattanooga.
Fleet Feet + Oddstory Pub Run | Wednesday, May 3 | 6 p.m. | Oddstory Brewing Co., 1604 Central Ave., Chattanooga | Free+ | Run a 5k route through downtown Chattanooga + enjoy pint night prices at the brewery after the run — runners meet at 5:45 p.m.

Thursday, May 4

Ladies Who Launch: Onteaya Tate | Thursday, May. 4 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Common House, 1517 Mitchell Ave., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | This month, hear from multi-talented entrepreneur Onteaya Tate of The Plant Candy Collective.
CIVIQ | Thursday, May. 4 | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Camp House, 806 E. 12th St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Join The Chattanooga Design Studio for an evening with James F. Lima as he discusses “The Economics of Placemaking.”
Sensory Night | Thursday, May 4 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | This event is a low-stimulus evening for children with sensory sensitivities.

Friday, May 5

Wine Tasting: Spanish Wines | Friday, May. 5 | 6-7:15 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $35 | Taste an array of Spanish wines while learning how they were made + what regions they come from.
Bunny Hop | Friday, May. 5 | 6-8:30 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | $0-$125 | Come out for the Chambliss Center for Children’s fundraiser that will feature festivities for the whole family to enjoy.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Edu

Calling all high schoolers: Take 5 college courses free

college age student writing on a chalk board

The TN Dual Enrollment Grant lets high school students get a head start on college. | Photo via Pexels

Hey, NOOGA high school students — have you heard of the TN Dual Enrollment Grant? The grant allows eligible juniors and seniors to take five college courses tuition-free.

Taking courses at ChattState allows you to:

Get a jump-start on college — for free (just pay for books)
Receive both college + high school credits
Attend classes at ChattState, online, or on your school campus
Get a taste of college
Use courses for an associate degree, TCAT diploma, or four-year university transfer*

Learn more + apply

News Notes

Announced

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, TVA will open several of its dams for public tours — some for the first time since 9/11. The number of people on the tours will be limited + TVA will draw names for who can attend the tours. Those interested can enter to win beginning Monday, May 8. (Local 3)

Cause

Today, Chattanooga’s 100+ Women Who Care will host its Q2 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Parkside Hall to discuss and celebrate a milestone of donating $100,000 to local charities. The meeting will highlight past recipients + announce the recipient who will receive a $10,000 donation.
Northside Neighborhood House will host its first-ever Good Neighbor Market on Saturday, May 20 in Northshore. The organization is currently seeking fashion, vintage, and artisan vendors for the market. Those interested can reach out to Rachel Lesler via email.

UTC

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has launched the UTC Research Institute, a strategic initiative to raise funding for research projects, aid in realizing goals, and more. The initiative will be led by Dr. Mina Sartipi having an initial focus on transportation + quantum technologies. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)

Festival

The Chattanooga Market will host its Strawberry Festival on Sunday, May 7. Enjoy a selection of fresh strawberries from nearby Melon Patch Farms + Hughes Farms. Folks can also come out for treats from local vendors, a jazz band showcase, and more at the special rendition of the market.

Film

Chattanooga Christian School will host the premiere of Pablo Mazariego’s documentary “Un Nuevo Pasado” on Saturday, May 13. The film delves into the lives, struggles, and perseverance of Guatemalan immigrants. Bonus: The event will have Latin food and music for attendees to enjoy.

Outdoors

The Signal Mountain Police Department and White Oak Bicycle Co-Op will host a bike ride + rodeo event on Saturday, May 20. Participants will take a police-escorted ~1.5-mile bike ride through Old Towne and learn about bike safety.

Transit

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the community of safety tips. Last year, Hamilton County reported 196 motorcycle crashes, ranking 11th in the state for the number of incidents.

Family

Bring a blanket and enjoy Ballet in the Park on Saturday, May 6 at Coolidge Park. Starting at 3 p.m., guests can enjoy free children’s activities, food trucks, an open ballet class, and a performance featuring favorites from the company’s season and students from Chattanooga Ballet’s school + community programs.*

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.

Correction

In yesterday’s newsletter, we shared a stunning three-bedroom home with a private 5-hole putting green but mentioned the wrong listing agent. This home is listed by Derek English of Scout Realtor Group, not Ali Robinson of Keller Williams Realty - Robinson Team.

Asked

What’s your favorite international food restaurant in town?

Asked: Favorite local spot with international food offerings

We recommend trying the Ravioli Spinachi e Formaggi dish from Boccaccia. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

Editor Kristen here. One of my favorite things about Chattanooga is its food scene. The Scenic City is home to a diverse variety of restaurants with menus inspired from all around the world — without having to hop on a plane to experience them.

For example, as much as I would love to travel back to Italy, I’m grateful to have Boccaccia right down the road offering authentic Italian cuisine.

Want to help us make an “eat around the world” guide without having to leave Chattanooga? Let us know your favorite local restaurant with international food offerings. We’ll share our list with you all in an upcoming newsletter.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kristen Templeton

From the editor

I have to say, I can’t wait for this year’s Running of the Chihuahuas. It’s one of those unique Chattanooga events that I’ve been going to since I was in high school. Does anyone else remember seeing Boys Like Girls, Hot Chelle Rae, and We The Kings perform at ROTC? Those were some pretty great shows.

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