Events Calendar

To include a listing in the Out & About calendar, submit your events at www.Chattanooga Now.com. Questions? Call Susan Pierce at 423-757-6284.

Leisure

BACKPACKING COOKING WORKSHOP — Enterprise South Nature Park, 8015 Volkswagen Drive. REI staff teaches how to make a delicious, nutritious backpacking meal, handle obstacles faced in remote settings, how to work with minimal kitchen supplies. Fee of $30-$50 includes all equipment and ingredients. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Reservations: 423-708-4754.

BAT CAVE SUNSET KAYAK TOUR — Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge, Mapleview Road, South Pittsburg, Tenn. Paddle to Nickajack Bat Cave at sunset to watch thousands of bats emerge in search of insects; $65-$75. 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 6. 423-485-1249.

BATTLEFIELD BIKE RIDE — Battlefield Outdoors, 2871 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Free community ride with riders divided into groups based on ride speed. Bring your bike or rent from the shop for $5. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2. 706-841-0040.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

STATE PARK — 5801 Champion Road. Ranger will lead short hike to invasive species growth in park where group will help remove it, then use it to carve their own walking sticks; $5. 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 423-260-0366.

CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL CLUB — Finley Stadium, 1829 Carter St. CFC vs. Asheville City SC, $10. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 423-708-GOAL.

› Sunday, June 30: CFC vs Guatemalan Team Municipal, 6 p.m., Ridgeland High School, 2478 Happy Valley Road, Rossville, $20 online only, $25 at gate. www.eventbrite.com

CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS — 57 E. Fifth St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery. Adults $17.95 plus tax, ages 12 and under $11 plus tax. Tours 8:30 p.m. nightly by appointment. 423-800-5998.

CHATTANOOGA MARKET — First Tennessee Pavilion,

Small-town fun for the Fourth

1829 Reggie White Blvd. Red, White and Blueberries is theme 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 423-648-2496.

CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES — Chattanooga Christian School, Stanton Field, 3354 Charger Drive. Red Wolves vs. Richmond Kickers. Tickets start at $10. 7 p.m Saturday, June 29. www.chattredwolves.com

CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK — Located near Trenton, Ga., on western side of Lookout Mountain, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Star party with members of Barnard Astronomical Society; $5 parking. 8-10 p.m. Saturday, July 6. 706-657-4050

CRUISE-IN — Apison Elementary School, 10433 East Brainerd Road. Free car and bike show sponsored by Apison United Methodist Church with bounce house for kids, live music, concessions, silent auction, door prizes, dash plaques, Top 10 awards and trophy for Best in Show. Free, but donations accepted along with school supplies to benefit

Not everyone waits until July 4 to celebrate Independence Day. Here’s a list of fun for the Fourth happening in area small towns in coming days.

FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA

Rattlebone band is headlining the Independence Day celebration in Fort Payne on Tuesday, July 2, at the Fort Payne Sports Complex, 4501 Gault Ave. The free patriotic party is from 5 to 9:30 p.m. CDT.

Rattlebone is comprised of Johnny Neel (former member of the Allman Brothers), Chris Anderson (former member of The Outlaws), Dennis Gulley and Daryl Burgess.

GRAYSVILLE, TENNESSEE

The city of Graysville’s Volunteer Fire Department announces FreedomFest will be Saturday, June 29, in Kristopher’s Kingdom Park, 475 Blacktrack Road.

This annual fundraiser for the department starts at 4 p.m. with delicious food, rockin’ bands, games, water slide and an auction at 6 p.m. The party wraps up with fireworks around 9:45 p.m.

HIXSON

Bring a chair for seating and enjoy dinner and fireworks in Camp Columbus, hosted by the Father Patrick J. Ryan Council 610 of Knights of Columbus.

This year the fun starts at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, at the campground, 8601 Camp Columbus Road.

Live music begins at 6 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors, food for sale and games for the whole family. Donations will be accepted to benefit the council’s charitable work. Fireworks will close out the party. Coolers and pets are not permitted.

LAFAYETTE, GEORGIA

The city of LaFayette always hosts its Freedom Festival on the Friday prior to July 4 at the LaFayette Recreation Department, 638 S. Main St.

So this year’s free party begins at 5 p.m. on June 28. Small Town Rumor performs at 6 p.m. followed at 8 p.m. by Power Play featuring Amber Carrington.

Freedom Festival includes an Old Timers Baseball Game, corn hole tournament, music, a Krystal-eating contest at 7:45 p.m., free swim at the city pool from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and a Pro Wrestling LaFayette show. Vendors will offer everything from barbecue sandwiches to balloon animals.

The evening will cap off with a state-of-the-art fireworks show at 10 p.m.

SPRING CITY, TENNESSEE

Watermelon and pickle-eating contests are part of the old-fashioned fun at Shake the Lake, the annual Independence Day celebration in Spring City’s Veterans Park on Saturday, June 29.

Those contests will be divided by ages, and contestants can sign up between noon and 1 p.m.

There will be five age divisions for Mr. and Miss Firecracker Pageant, with sign-ups at 9 a.m. No pageant wear will be allowed.

The festival will also include food and craft vendors, a 50/50 drawing and duck race. Guests will be entertained by “American Idol” finalist and Spring City native Drake McCain along with Rhea Springs Revival before fireworks at dark.

- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce

Apison Elementary School. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 423-920-8485.

DOG TRAINING CLASSES — Obedience Club of Chattanooga, 244 Lake City Drive, Flintstone, Ga. Sign up for next sessions of obedience, rally, agility, canine good citizen and therapy dog classes at open house on Sunday, June 30, at 1:30 p.m. Orientation includes puppy play seminar 3-5 p.m. supervised by Julie Jones Thornton. Puppy play is $10 for members, $15 student members. Dog classes begin Monday, July 8. 423-463-0288 or occlub.org.

EAT SIP WALK — Chattanooga’s Southside, location to meet given upon reservation. Walking tour (less than a mile) of five Southside restaurants; $75 per person. Each stop includes sample of food and a drink while guide shares information about city and its history. 3-6 p.m. Saturdays. Reservations: 423-708-5328 or eatsipwalk. com.

FIREWORKS KAYAK TOUR — Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. REI leads paddle from Tennessee Riverpark to Ross’s Landing to watch fireworks show from Pops on the River. Previous kayaking experience recommended but not required; $99-$109. Introduction to equipment and basic techniques provided prior to embarking on 5-mile paddle. 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Reservations: 423-708-4754.

FRIDAY FESTIVALS — Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee. Summer on the Square weekly festivals include music by Share the Road, food from downtown restaurants and food vendors and free bounce house. 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, June 28. mainstreetcleveland.com.

HIKES, TENNESSEE — Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. For more information: 423-332-6517 or 423-240-3443.

› Saturday, June 29: Buggy Top Cave trail on Monteagle Mountain, moderate 4 miles. Meet at Red Bank Food City at 8:30 a.m.

› Tuesday, July 2: Cravens House Loop, easy-to-moderate 3 miles. Those who wish may climb the steps to Point Park to take in the view and visit the small museum. Meet at Food City in Red Bank at 8:30 a.m. or Cravens House parking lot on Lookout Mountain at 9 a.m.

› Saturday, July 6: Hike in and out at Laurel-Snow Falls State Natural Area, moderately strenuous 6 miles. Meet at Soddy-Daisy ballfield parking lot on Durham Street at 8:30 a.m.

KAYAK/WALKING TOURS OF CHATTANOOGA — Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park host history tours Friday, June 28; walking tour does not require reservations, paddler requirements must be met for kayak tour, which does require a reservation. 423-643-6888.

› 8:30 a.m. Staff lead 1-hour, 45-minute kayak tour around Maclellan Island. Paddlers must know how to swim, and participants must be 14 years or older.

› 10:30 a.m. Ranger-led, 90-minute walking tour across Walnut Street Bridge discussing importance of Ross’s Landing.

KAYAK RESCUES AND RECOVERY — Chester Frost Park, 2277 N. Gold Point Circle. Learn to enter and exit the kayak, techniques for self-rescue to get back into your boat. This is follow-up to Learn to Kayak class for kayakers with basic paddling skills. $95-$105. 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 423-842-0177.

LOOKOUTS BASEBALL — AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley.

Lookouts vs. Tennessee Smokies, 7:15 p.m.

Adults $7-$10, kids general admission $5. 423-267-4849.

OVERNIGHT KAYAK CAMPING CLASS — REI Experience Center, 620 Cherokee Blvd. Course designed for those who want to learn more about kayak camping. Learn proper kayak and gear selection, paddle strokes needed on longer trips, how to pack your kayak, camp cooking, navigation and Leave No Trace etiquette. For ages 12 and older, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Sleeping bag not provided. $250-$270. 1 p.m. Saturday, June 29. www.rei.com

RIVER CANYON ADVENTURES — 21726 River Canyon Road. Explore the scenic Tennessee River Gorge with daily one-, two- or three-hour adventures priced from $35 to $50. Stop by the rope swing, rent a kayak or paddleboard and have fun in the water. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Register and pay on the website and get 30 minutes additional free time: www.rivercanyonadventure. com. 423-488-8211.

TIE-DYE CLASS — Tennessee Riverpark, Shelter 4 and Hubert Fry Center, Amnicola Highway. See what you can create at class for ages 5 and older; all children must be accompanied by an adult. $5. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, July 1. 423-710-0274.

TRAIN RIDES, CHATTANOOGA — Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028. Check website for designated weekend train rides such as Chickamauga Turn, Dinner on the Diner and Hiwassee River

Rail Adventure. www.tvrail.com. › Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12. June schedule: Trains depart daily at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m.

WOMEN’S LEARN TO KAYAK CLASS — Chester Frost Park, 2277 N. Gold Point Circle. Learn about kayaks, paddles, gear and clothing before learning to launch kayak and introduction to basic paddling strokes. $85-$95. 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 423-708-4754.

Children/teens

CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR — Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., 11 a.m. Saturday, storytime. 423-893-0186.

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM — 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $14.95 adults and children.

Enterprise South Nature Park, 8015 Volkswagen Drive. REI staff provide personalized and group instruction to overcome children’s fears, teach skills such as start-stop and maneuvering around obstacles. Children bring their own bikes (without training wheels) and helmet; child should be able to sit on the seat with feet flat on the ground. Class fee $59-$69. For ages 5-11. 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Reservations: 423-485-1249.

ROSSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY — 504 McFarland Ave., Rossville, Ga. Ready to Read story hour, crafts and songs for preschoolers. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. 706-866-1368.

Dances

BALLROOM — Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. $10 per person. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. 423-771-3646.

Heritage House at Heritage Park, 1428 Jenkins Road. Free introductory class for new dancers that teaches fundamental moves, then several dances from the historical repertoire. Bring soft-sole shoes (sneakers or flats) for dancing. No experience or partner needed. 7-9 p.m. 423-855-9474

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE — Tuesdays, July 2 and 9.