Vegan pizza is on the menu. | Photo via Sarah Hyden
You may be craving a Fourth of July hot dog, but July is also a great month for local herbivores. The Chattanooga Vegan Chef Challenge has returned to showcase plant-based dishes around the city.
Through Thursday, July 31 diners can try special menu items at 17 restaurants around Chattanooga. Here are some of the dishes that have our mouths watering, but be sure to explore the menus at all of the participating restaurants:
1885 Grill Ooltewah — Marry Me Chickpea Stew with Grilled Crostini
Attack of the Tatsu — Miso Buffalo Sliders
(Be)Caffeinated — Vegan Apple Crumble Muffin
Honey Seed — Veggie Pizza
Public House — Ratatouille Tart
This initiative welcomes all people to try new meals — so don’t worry if you don’t adhere to a vegan diet. The menu items are designed to be innovative and appeal to all foodies.
After you’ve had your fill, make sure to show your favorite restaurants some love. Participants are encouraged to vote for their favorite dishes so chefs can receive feedback and prizes.
Asked
Asked
What is the most valuable crop grown in Tennessee?
Nightfall Concert Series | 6 p.m. | Miller Plaza + Miller Park | Free | It’s the final show of the season, featuring the Bluegrass Bubble Bash with headliner East Nash Grass.
Summer Celebration | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Mountain Outfitters Chattanooga | Free | The store is celebrating the debut of its new toy section with storewide sales and a party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a bouncy house, balloon art, smoothies, beer + smashburgers.
Soddy-Daisy’s Independence Day Celebration | 10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Soddy-Daisy Recreation Complex, Soddy-Daisy | Free | This all-day celebration will feature food trucks, vendors, four musical acts, a custom car show, a Kidzone, and a fireworks display.
2025 Conservation Awareness Days | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | Cost of admission | Learn about conservation through keeper chats, activities, and crafts — this session focuses on porcupines.
Back N Black | 9 p.m. | Barrel House Ballroom | $17+ | Shake it all night long with this AC/DC tribute band.
Sunday, July 6
Red, White, and Blueberries | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free | Blueberries take center stage as you shop the Chattanooga Market + watch or participate in pie eating contests.
Christmas in July with Bad Santa | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $18+ | Couples can take part in “The Marriage Game” with Bad Santa, where you’ll test how well you know your better half.
Independence Day, and there are plenty of events + firework displays happening in the area to celebrate the holiday. Chattanooga and Hamilton County departments will also observe the day, meaning many public offices will be closed.
Traffic
Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors announced temporary Riverwalk closures beginning Monday, July 14 for an enhancement project. The closed segment will begin south of the Chestnut Street crossing through the Chestnut Street Trailhead and parking lot. Riverwalk is expected to fully reopen in April with improved access and connectivity to nearby destinations.
Opening
Get ready for a restock. Full Circle Refillery, Chattanooga’s first zero-waste store, is preparing for its grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 12. The East Main Street shop lets customers bring in containers to refill with consumable products (like soaps or detergents), and pay by weight.
Civic
Chattanooga City Council approved a collaborative effort between the city + UTC for streamlined management of federal research grants. The two organizations hope the partnership will allow for easier use of funds, benefiting researchers and the community, and make Chattanooga more competitive when applying for grants.
Ranked
Chattanooga is making a splash on Fourth of July fun. The Scenic City ranked No. 2 on BoatBooker’s list of the 10 best boating destinations in the US for the holiday. It was praised for its views along the Tennessee River, Southern hospitality, and celebrations like Pops on the River.
Edu
$10,762. That’s the cost of in-state tuition + mandatory fees for a student attending UTC in the 2025-2026 academic year. This represents a 3% (or $314) annual increase, but students can expect to see other fees go up, like parking, housing, and meals. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
The Buy
Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July. Generally, I like to leave the fireworks to the pros, but make sure to follow all local laws if you’re handling any. And friendly reminder, Chattanooga has an 11:30 p.m. curfew, so don’t set any off too late.
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