Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Chattanooga Market is swinging this Sunday
BY KAREN NAZOR HILL CORRESPONDENT Put on your dancing shoes and head to the Chattanooga Market this Sunday. The big band music of Sweet Georgia Sound will have marketgoers cutting a rug inside First Tennessee Pavilion. Historically one of the most popular markets of the season, this event has people of all ages singing and swinging to the vivacious music that dominated the music scene during the first half of the 20th century. Brittney Combs, Chattanooga Market marketing assistant, says the 20- member Sweet Georgia Sound has played at the market since 1994.
“They perform a few times a year at Chattanooga Market, including our Holiday Market at the Convention Center,” Combs says. “A number of them (from within the big band) also form the Oktoberfest Band.”
“Big Band Day is considered a popular fami ly- friendly event that brings folks out for a jitterbug of a time,” she says, adding that it’s not j ust marketgoers who enjoy the music. Some of the vendors join in on the dancing, as well.
“The tables in the front of the pavilion will be full of market patrons of all ages cheering the band on, and getting up to dance. Sweet Georgia Sound does a marvelous j ob interacting with the audience by playing big band and swing tunes from the ’30s and ’40s. They also invite patrons to dance to their ballroom sounds, including Latin and waltz tunes.”
In addition to t he music, there’s lots of food, seasonal fresh produce, art and other handmade items.
“Although the produce selections are getting smaller, market patrons can still expect to see fall apples and squash, and there are a few farms who still have greens,” Combs says.
“We have a handful of new vendors this season — a vegetarian food truck and a new sweet treats booth. We have a new home decor vendor who hand-makes wooden signs. On a packed day, we have about 200 vendors at the pavilion. That’s about 50 more than last year. However, we have many more than 50 new vendors that apply each year.”
Nov. 19 will be t he Thanksgiving Market and the last Sunday in First Tennessee Pavilion. After taking Thanksgiving weekend off, the market reopens in Chattanooga Convention Center for its Holiday Market on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17.