MAINx24 Festival Bike Events

11 months, 24 days ago.

The Southside’s movement of revival, civic passion, and creativity continues to gain momentum among residents, business owners, artists, and community leaders. Join us on December 8th for MAINx24 and celebrate your neighborhood spirit with a full day of live music, local flavors, community events, arts and openings! From 8 am to 12 midnight, from Fort Negley to Cowart Place: we are part of and proud of the Southside!

Click here for the full cycling schedule from ChattBike.com…

I Want to Ride My Bicycle!

MAINx24 will host several special events to highlight the Southside’s bicycle-friendly atmosphere. At 11:00 a.m., cyclists of all ages can enter their decorated bicycles in the Southside Holiday parade. At 12:00 noon, Outdoor Chattanooga will bring the Bike Chattanooga urban cruiser bikes to Jefferson Heights for a leisurely one-hour ride through the Southside with storyteller Jim Pfitzer. The ride, geared toward riders ages 12 and older, will cruise Southside streets and stop at places of historical significance. From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Greenspaces will host a Biking Green scavenger hunt throughout the downtown Chattanooga and North Shore areas. The ride for cyclists ages 16 and older will feature Chattanooga’s “green” architecture and prizes will be awarded. Then, at 6:00 p.m., the Chattanooga Bicycle Club will host an adult-only urban night ride through Chattanooga’s neighborhoods. Lights and appropriate clothing and gear will be required for the 20+-mile ride.

All bicycle rides will be cancelled if any two of these weather anomalies are present: rain, sleet, snow, dark, high winds, extreme cold, frostbite.

Live Music and Local Flavors

Get a taste of what Main Street has to offer! Along with fresh coffee, breads and pastries, Niedlov’s Breadworks will feature live acoustic music from 10 am to 4 pm. Blue Orleans will serve live jazz and classic Creole cuisine from 5 until 9 pm. Throughout the day, enjoy vibrant tastes and diverse sounds from Main Street’s Main and Mocha and the Jefferson Heights and Fort Negley neighborhood parks.

Southside Holiday Parade

The highlight event of MAINx24 will be the neighborhood’s annual Southside Holiday Parade. The parade will kick off at 11:00 am in front of Battle Academy and head down Main toward Jefferson Heights. The Howard High School Marching Band will lead the procession, which will include festively decorated floats, bikes, vehicles, and costumes. The parade’s last stop will be at Jefferson Heights Park for a neighborhood party with live music, hot chili, games and a $250 “Holiday Spirit” prize awarded to the parade’s most creative float/bike/go-cart/costume!

Community Events

MAINx24’s schedule includes a host of activities for the whole family throughout the day! Before the Holiday Parade begins, enjoy complimentary horse and carriage rides in Historic Southside from 8 to 10 am. At 10 am visit the corner of Williams and 18th Street for the Southside Community Tree Blessing, celebrating the newly planted Yoshino Cherry trees. Be sure to stop by between 10 and 11 am to see Main Street’s newest mural unveiled and hear storyteller Jim Pfitzer narrate the mural’s expression of Southside, plus a few commemorative words from Councilman Leamon Pierce. Beginning around noon, bring the kids to drink hot cocoa and have photos taken with Santa at the Clark Center near Main and Market. Fort Negley Park is sponsoring a neighborhood party with live music and hot dogs between 3 and 6 pm. The Chattanooga Holiday Market will take place all weekend at the Tennessee Pavilion, featuring arts and holiday vendors, live music, and coffee.

MAINx24 highlights the Southside’s bike-friendly environment. At noon Jim Pfitzer will lead a historic bike ride sponsored by Outdoor Chattanooga Inc. Green|spaces and OCI will host a Biking Green scavenger hunt between 2 and 4 pm with prizes! Outdoor Chattanooga Inc. will also guide a lighted bike ride beginning at 6 pm.

Suck Creek Cycle has donated a pair of Jamis Commuter bikes which will go to 2 very lucky riders!

Art and Openings

MAINx24’s events also include art installations and openings throughout the day. Tanner Hill Gallery is hosting the 8th annual Art & Authors Sale and Signing from 12 to 9:30 pm. Visit CreateHere’s Studio on East Main Street between 11 am and 7 pm to see 50+ original installations by students at UTC’s Art Department. Between 1 and 3 pm the Hollis Gallery will highlight artist Katie Knutson. CreateHere is celebrating the opening of their office/gallery/meeting space with a cocktail party and live music between 7:30 and 9:30 pm. Coptix Inc is hosting a Christmas Party from 10 pm to 3 am at the Loose Cannon Gallery, co-sponsored by St. Johns Restaurant & Big River Grille & Brew Works (atmosphere: groove::moxie, 18+).

A current schedule with event details and more information will be available on www.mainx24.com. Questions? Check out www.createhere.org or call Helen 423.304.7603.

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