Did you know that you can check out a zoo pass at all library locations? | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Summer fun doesn’t have to be costly. We’re sharing five seasonal offerings at the Chattanooga Public Library that you can check out for free with your library card.
Local attraction passes
Cardholders are able to check out family passes to a number of local attractions like the Chattanooga Zoo, Creative Discovery Museum + Tennessee Aquarium.
You can also get passes to attend a CFC or Chattanooga Lookouts game that takes place within two weeks of the checkout date.
Adventure gear
Make packing for your next camping trip as simple as possible. Cardholders aged 18+ can check out up to three adventure items for a one-week period, including supplies like sleeping pads, tents, and a dry bag.
Pro tip: Peruse our hiking guide to help plan your trip.
Projector
Check out a home video projector and start planning outdoor movie screening. All you need is a sheet and some popcorn.
Open Mic Night | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $9 | Listen to local performers and spend the evening laughing at undiscovered talent.
Texoma FC vs. Red Wolves SC | 7 p.m. | CHI Memorial Stadium | $14+ | Kick it with the local soccer club as they take on their opponents from Sherman, TX.
Thursday, July 17
Baby Bounce | 10-10:30 a.m. | South Chattanooga Library | Free | Join other parents and caregivers as you sing songs for your little ones — no registration is required.
Drawing Plants for Beginners | 6-7:30 p.m. | Crab Tree Farms | $30 | Local artist Andi Kur facilitates this beginner-friendly workshop that will teach you to put plant to paper.
Bob Chuckrow: Remembering a Chattanooga Icon | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater | Free | Spend an evening honoring Bob Chuckrow, a staple in the Scenic City’s acoustic music community from the 1980s + hear never-released music from his last recordings.
Friday, July 18
Ice Cream Crawl | Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20 | 9 a.m.-10 p.m. | Multiple Locations | Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by heading to six participating creameries around the city + enter to win a $100 Chattanooga Express Card.
Silent Book Club | 12-1 p.m. | Eastgate Library | Free | Grab a book and read in the company of other bookworms, then share suggestions with your new friends.
Chattanooga’s Industrial Development Board awarded $1.5 million in grants to help complete renovations to the James A. Henry building by the end of this year. The project aims to turn the Westside space into a community hub, but experienced setbacks due to the loss of federal funding. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has joined Operation Southern Slow Down — an effort to enforce speeding and raise awareness for preventable, speed-related accidents. The campaign lasts through Sunday, July 19, and drivers can expect to see more enforcement on the road.
Featured
Southern Living writer Katherine Polcari has found a home at The Book & Cover. Polcari wrote an article calling the independent bookstore, which opened in a former home, a must-visit spot in Chattanooga. She praised it for its cozy environment, book clubs, and events. (Southern Living)
Biz
Know an entrepreneur with a big idea? Launch Tennessee — a tech nonprofit that’s invested in local businesses like Branch Technology — opened applications for its statewide 3686 pitch competition that takes place Tuesday, Sept. 9. The winning pitch will receive a prize including $10,000 in cash.
Edu
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga received high marks from Colleges of Distinction heading into the 2025-2026 year. The higher education organization named UTC a top public university and one of the best schools in Tennessee. UTC also received praise for its academic programs, career development + affordability.
Theater
Local performer Wendy Pursley’s one-woman show “Shades of Red” will return to the Barking Legs Theater for five shows. The production features themes of identity, womanhood, and Southern storytelling. Tickets are now available; the performances take place on the last weekend in July + first weekend in August.
Try This
Your next big event could use some attention. Get a crowd in the room by letting us help you spread the word. Our self-service ad portal can put you event in front of our highly engaged local audience in a matter of two days. Get started now.
Sunny days ahead — Smith-Perry Berries’ sunflower season has arrived. While this year’s blooms came slightly later than prior years, you can now see a sea of yellow at the Ooltewah site.
The season will officially kick off this Saturday, July 19, starting at 9 a.m. Not only will there be flowers ready for picking (including a pollenless variety), but you’ll also be able to browse vendors + food trucks.
If you can’t wait, there’s an ongoing soft opening with evening hours that continues tonight + tomorrow, but the farm will be closed for an event on Friday, July 18.
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.
The Chattanooga Lookouts teased that exciting news will be released today. To be frank I may be able to guess this announcement, but I’m only about 25% confident. I suppose I’ll just need to relish this anticipation and ketchup with the news once it’s posted.
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