Little Miss Mag is 100

Still young at heart, childcare center ready to celebrate at Magstravaganza

Little Miss Mag Early Learning Center is marking its 100th anniversary this year. What better way to raise money for a childcare center than a fundraiser where adults get to turn their “inner child” loose?

That’s the goal of Magstravaganza, which takes place today, April 20, at 6 p.m. in Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St.

Event co-chairs Meredith Perry and Marcy Porter have a party planned with music by the Old Time Travelers band, a children’s art gallery and food from Dish T’Pass.

“Because this is a party where adults can let their inner child go wild, we will have kids’ games for grownups such as Giant Jenga, cornhole and PlayCore is bringing in an adjustable sculpture. There will be a silent auction with items from adventure packages to date-night packages,” says Perry.

All the guests will get in on birthday gift-giving by helping pack children’s goody bags, which will be distributed to little ones at Little Miss Mag when they have their own birthday celebration on Friday.

Little Miss Mag was begun in 1917 when Chattanooga Mayor Jesse Littleton asked Mrs. Henry Ewing to establish a day nursery in her home to provide child care for mothers working in the World War I war effort. The nursery was named Little Miss Mag in memory of Margaret Avery Andrews, the daughter of Mrs. Garnett Andrews, who was the first board president.

The nursery relocated to a one- room building on South Broad Street during the 1920s, then to a three- room building on Walnut Street in 1958, where it remained for 56 years until it moved into Walnut Commons in 2014. One year later, Little Miss Mag completed all debt payments associated with its construction.

Individual’s tickets to Magstravaganza are $ 60 or $100, the latter including $50 in Mag Money for the auction. Couples are $ 175, which includes $ 75 in Mag Money.

Perry says tickets will be sold at the door as long as they remain. For more information: 423-266-5286.