With a nod to the past and a look to the future, Erlanger Park is shaping up to be more than just a ballpark. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
We’re exactly six months away from opening day at Erlanger Park, the new home for the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Last week, I toured the stadium site in Chattanooga’s South Broad District to see how construction is coming along.
Field, seating, and parking
Right now, the field is still covered in dirt. During our tour, crews were spreading the final layer of dirt and rock before installing the drainage system.
Erlanger Park will offer a lot of seating options for groups and individuals, with a total capacity of 8,032 fans. The best seats will be in the Home Plate Club, Club 400 in center field, and the suites.
Fans can also catch the game from cabanas, field boxes, and half rounds, all of which include full wait service. On the more affordable end, the berm in left field will hold up to 1,000 fans. Pro tip: Watch this virtual tour to get a feel for all the seating options.
Many of the lots around Erlanger Park will be used for parking, with 2,700 spaces available on opening day.
A. Opening day, baby! B. Sometime during the first home series. C. I’ll wait for the crowds to die down a bit. D. I don’t plan to attend any games at Erlanger Park.
A big heads up for anyone who loves exercising on the Riverwalk: The wooden walking bridge that starts past the rowing center and goes to the UTC football practice field will close for six months starting Monday, Oct. 20. Signs at both ends say the bridge is set for reconstruction. (Local 3 News)
Try This
Got something to shred? Head to Collegedale City Hall today between 3 and 6 p.m. for a free paper shredding event. You can bring up to five boxes or bags of documents to be securely shredded on-site. (Chattanoogan)
Traffic
If you live or work on Signal Mountain, take note of these closures: Roberts Mill Road will be closed today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the W Road will be closed during the same hours tomorrow and Thursday for maintenance. Taft Highway will remain open.
Shop
We recently shared the word “noctourism,” a trend that focuses on nighttime activities. So how about some night shopping? The Chattery’s annual Night Market is happening this Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. downtown. You can sip on a cocktail while browsing handmade goods from local artisans.
Plan Ahead
You might still be recovering from Oktoberfest, but the Chattanooga Market is already preparing for its next event. This Sunday, Oct. 19 is “Smart is Cool” day, featuring hands-on experiments and demos from local STEM organizations. It’ll be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion.
Cause
More than 129,000 people in Tennessee are living with Alzheimer’s — here’s a way to help show support and raise money for research. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is happening Saturday, Oct. 25 at Heritage Park. You can register to walk online, or donate if you can’t attend.
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Restaurant Roundup
🍽️ Be the first in line
This Midwest favorite has made its way to the Scenic City. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Whether you’re hunting for hot chicken, sweet treats, or something totally new, the Scenic City’s food scene is buzzing with fresh arrivals. Here’s a look at some of the newest spots to grab a bite.
October openings
Culver’s, 505 Northgate Mall Dr. | Burgers + custard
This Midwest chain, known for its ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard, just opened its first Chattanooga location.
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, 5118 Hixson Pike | Hawaiian comfort food
This fast-casual spot serves plate lunches, Dole soft serve, and Spam musubi — with speedy drive-through service.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, 2266 Gunbarrel Rd. | Chicken restaurant
You can get chicken tenders, sliders, fries, shakes, and other fun drinks at this restaurant.
September openings
Beignets & Brew, 7019 Shallowford Dr. | French donuts
Get New Orleans-style beignets without ever leaving Chattanooga, as well as breakfast croissants and specialty coffee.
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.
Over the weekend, I took a pottery class at Scenic City Clay Arts on Market Street — and as you can see, things got messy. I’m still digging clay out from under my fingernails. It was my first time wheel throwing, but I hope it won’t be my last. People say it’s therapeutic, and I’d have to agree. If you’re interested in trying a class, just know they’re popular and fill up fast — but you can always join the waitlist if one catches your eye.
I got to make these four pieces, and once they’re glazed, I can pick them up and wrap them as Christmas presents.