Taste is actually a reinvented version of a long-standing community tradition. With a previous life as Taste of Chattanooga, TASTE is a step up in a new direction for this Kidney Foundation fundraiser, appealing to all facets of Chattanooga culture. For $30, ticket holders will be entitled to samplings of local cuisine from many of Chattanooga's finest restaurants, plus two drink tickets for beer and wine. Other tastes of Chattanooga featured throughout the event include entertainment from our local music scene, a sampling of local visual art on display and strolling models featuring fashions from Chattanooga's own boutiques.

RiverRocks is a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of our region's natural resources and the activities they inspire, the health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle and Chattanooga's commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation. RiverRocks was widely embraced by the community in its inaugural year of 2010. During the 10-day festival, over 40,000 took part in 120 different events, including adventure sports, live music, hot air ballooning and more. Environmentally friendly and designed as a fund raiser for eight local land conservation organizations, RiverRocks is poised to be a signature event for Chattanooga.

The 3 Sisters Festival, backed by the Fletcher Bright Company and named for the three daughters of Fletcher Bright, has experienced a tremendous response since its inception in 2007, and featured a full schedule of some of the biggest names in bluegrass including Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Dan Tyminski and Del McCoury. Combining both traditional and contemporary bluegrass, this festival appeals to a wide age range. This two-day event is sure to become a nationally known bluegrass gathering that will bring tourists to town and help cement our reputation as a music center on the river.

Nightfall is the most widely recognized and attended program at Miller Plaza and celebrated its 20th season in 2008. It is a program unique to Chattanooga, unmatched in other cities in terms of its consistency, frequency, quality and the fact that it is free of charge. Nightfall has become the Friday night gathering place for our community, bringing together people of all ages, races and social backgrounds. Food and beverage concessions are enjoyed by the crowd and allow people to come straight from work, home or area hotels.

Pops In The Park is an annual Independence Day celebration, featuring a free concert by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Orchestra on July 3 at Coolidge Park. The performance, showcasing a spectrum of patriotic and traditional tunes as well as music from some of America!s most influential composers, is followed by a pyrotechnic finale over the Tennessee River. Blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic basket meals are welcome, although food and drink concessions are also available at the park.

Railfest is a three-day celebration of the 50th anniversary for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the largest working historical railroad in the Southeast. This will be a family-oriented event which also appeals to railroad enthusiasts. Activities include special rail excursions, entertainment, storytelling, concerts, on-site demonstrations and exhibits, food and much more. Railfest will be heavily promoted in the Southeast and Eastern US areas.

Breakfast with Santa offers a bountiful breakfast buffet with all the trimmings and a full menu of holiday fun featuring strolling entertainment, chilly science fun from the Creative Discovery Museum Science Theatre and a delightful musical show by our famous singing Santa. Children and adults alike enjoy this event, which is now offered at two scheduled seatings. Goody bags are given to each child in attendance. Photos with Santa are available separately.

Lighted Boat Parade. The parade commences at 7PM showcasing a spectrum of approximately 40 lighted boats, large and small, decorated for the season and parading on the Tennessee River between the Veterans and Olgiatti bridges. During the parade, spirits are warmed with community caroling led by Santa, hot drinks and kettle corn, and a live Nativity scene. That evening also signals the lighting of more than 130 downtown buildings, bridges and parks for the winter season, including the large Christmas tree located at Ross’s Landing. Capping off the evening will be the release of 300 candle lanterns on the water, which will glow as they make their way down the river and celebrate this evening of lights.