Plus a funny festival and road repair funding.
 
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Today’s Forecast

90º | 21% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 7:34 p.m.

 

🍁 Seeing is be-leafing
Orange leaves covering the Walnut Street Bridge.
The Walnut Street Bridge looks stunning beneath Coolidge Park’s foliage. | Photo @becca.hazen
Autumn is officially here — but fall colors, we’re still looking for you.

If you’ve been on the lookout for red, yellow, and orange leaves in Chattanooga, you won’t be waiting too much longer. According to Smoky Mountain’s fall foliage predictions, leaves in the Hamilton County area are starting to lose their chlorophyll — the compound responsible for their green color. By the end of September, it shouldn’t be too hard to spot some leaves transforming colors.

Here’s an anticipated timeline of when Chattanoogans can expect to see the most colorful foliage:
  • Sept. 30 — expect minimal color changing
  • Oct. 14 — trees should be patchy with color
  • Oct. 21 — more color is anticipated, we’re approaching peak foliage
  • Oct. 28 — peak foliage, this is the prime time for sightseeing
  • Nov. 4 — Chattanooga is past its peak, trees will become increasingly bare
A view between trees at Booker T. Washington State Park of Chickamauga Lake with leaves changing color.

Booker T. Washington State Park is swimming with natural beauty.

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Photo via @rag02b

If you’re planning to go leaf peeping, you still have time to plan your trip before the leaves fall. There are many places in the Chattanooga area that look just a little prettier decorated in fall colors.

The foliage tends to be on full display along the city’s hiking trails. Snooper’s Rock Trail in Prentice Cooper State Forest or Edwards Point Trail at Signal Mountain have been noted for being particularly scenic. Local parks are also great areas to find foliage. You could immerse yourself in nature overlooking Chickamauga Lake at Booker T. Washington State Park or head to Coolidge Park for downtown views enhanced by colorful leaves.

Locals often use the foliage as an excuse to hit the road and check out scenic destinations near Chattanooga. Popular spots include Fall Creek Falls, where leaves will land in a waterfall, or Red Top Mountain State Park in Georgia.
 
 
Events
 
Tuesday, Sept. 24
  • Tuesday Matinees | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Downtown Branch, Chattanooga Public Library | Free | Enjoy free popcorn and a screening of “Philadelphia” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
  • Noontunes | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 12-1 p.m. | Miller Park | Free+ | Spend your lunch break in the park while enjoying food, games, and a performance by jazz and electronic artist Tyrzee.
  • Prakash Wright Trio | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater | $10 | This jazz performance features pianist Prakash Wright with David Schwab on bass and Jim Crumble on drums.
Thursday, Sept. 26
  • Vinyasa Yoga Class | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 5-6 p.m. | Chattanooga Fitness Center | Free | Join other community members for a beginner-friendly flow — bring your own mat.
Friday, Sept. 27
  • Tony Tone | Friday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | The Comedy Catch | $19+ | The veteran comedian seen on BET + HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” takes the mic.
Saturday, Sept. 28
  • Rhinestone Cowgirl | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Choo Choo Gardens | Free+ | Get ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time shopping from 40+ vendors, line dancing, sipping cocktails, and enjoying bites to eat.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Transit
  • The Tennessee Department of Transportation is reviving a measure to allocate an additional $1 billion to road repairs and highway construction. Funding would come from sales tax on auto-related purchases. The department later intends to support projects by building toll lanes, including one at Moccasin Bend. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Wellness
  • September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Parkridge Valley Hospital is encouraging locals to have a plan and information in case of an emergency. This includes being aware of state-operated resources offering mental health support lines, services for children, and tips on having conversations. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Announced
  • The Chattanooga Police Department will host its 41st annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event aims to help locals build relationships with officers and will feature community information and interactive activities.
Festival
  • This is no joke, Chattanooga’s Lookout Comedy Festival is coming back from Wednesday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 19. The annual event will feature 30+ comedians across 11 shows. Performances will take place at multiple venues in the city, and festival passes are now available.
Biz
  • Round of a-paws. Nooga Paws, Chattanooga’s only natural pet store, recently celebrated its 12th birthday. The shop is known for selling products baked in the store, and it celebrated its birthday by offering a wide variety of homemade pet treats. (Local 3)
UTC
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant professor Dr. Derek Liuzzo has been named an Emerging Educator Award recipient by the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy. Liuzzo joined UTC in 2019, and the award recognizes his creative and impactful teaching approaches.
Plan Ahead
  • The Photographic Society of Chattanooga has announced that photographer Nye Simmons will be the guest at its open house on Thursday, Oct. 17. Simmons is noted for his nature photography skills and has been credited for multiple calendars and books, including the “Smoky Mountains Photographer’s Guide.”
Health
Biz
 
 
Community
 

🗳️ Let’s talk voting
An aerial shot of Miller Park with buildings in the background.
Miller Park will be home to A Joint Effort. | Photo via NOOGAtoday
Chattanoogans are preparing to rock the vote in November, but there’s still time to discuss the issues that matter most in Hamilton County. That’s the intention behind A Joint Effort, a voter rally taking place this Saturday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Miller Park.

This free, volunteer-led community collaboration aims to drive change in Chattanooga by amplifying the voices of locals. It’s open to all members of the community and will also feature:
  • Live music and family-friendly fun like a bounce house
  • Local food trucks and a beverage tent
  • Nonprofit booths
  • Voter registration
The event is hosted by local nonprofit Community Helps Itself (aka CHI Markets) in partnership with the Tennessee Democracy Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit focusing on civic leadership and education.
 
The Buy
 
This Halloween ghost coffee mug — it’s a great “thinking of you” gift for a friend this fall, or a sweet way to add cheer + seasonal flair to your own coffee ritual.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Michael Beausoleil

Today’s edition by:
Michael
From the editor
Now that it’s officially autumn, I give myself full permission to order every pumpkin-flavored item I find. I’m thinking of making a quick stop at Be Caffeinated Drive Thru Coffee to grab a pumpkin cream cheese muffin, but Chattanooga has plenty of coffee shops packed with pumpkin spiced deliciousness.
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