A quick look at the week ahead,
› Lookouts baseball: The Chattanooga Lookouts open their home season Tuesday with six games against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Games start at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 2:15 p.m. May 9. Opening night is sold out, and tickets are limited for some of the other games. Promotions include Thirsty Thursday drink specials, Friday night fireworks and Used Car Night on Saturday, the first of 10 this season. General-admission tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for children 3-12 and seniors 55+. Box seats are $9 and $11 for all ages. Remember that all transactions will be cashless this season. Find out more at lookouts.com.
› Star Wars Day: The Bobby Stone Film Series will celebrate “May the 4th” on Tuesday with three films from the sci-fi franchise. “A New Hope” will be screened at 1 p.m., “The Empire Strikes Back” at 4 p.m. and “Return of the Jedi” at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12. Purchase at the Tivoli Theatre box office, 709 Broad St., or online at tivolichattanooga.com.
› Armed Forces Day parade: Now in its 72nd year, Chattanooga’s Armed Forces Day parade returns at 10:30 a.m. Friday — after being postponed until October last year and modified for coronavirus safety. The parade will start at the intersection of M.L. King Boulevard and Market Street and will move north on Market toward Fourth Street. The free event will feature military and veterans groups, JROTC units, high school bands and local businesses. The U.S. Navy is being highlighted this year.
› Lake Winnie opens: Whether you prefer the 14-story freefall of Oh-Zone, the twists and turns of the Cannon Ball roller coaster or the mechanical thrills of the Antique Cars, Lake Winnepesaukah will open its gates to guests this weekend. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Thursday hours start the following week, May 13. Unlimited rides are $29 for ages 3-59, $20 ages 1-2 and 60+. On Sundays, May 9-Sept. 26, you can get $5 off an unlimited-ride pass with a register receipt from McDonald’s. Check the website, lakewinnie.com, for restrictions and for other savings offers during the season. This “dry run” at the park lasts until May 29, when Soak Ya water park opens. Lake Winnie is at 1730 Lakeview Drive in Rossville. Call 706-866-5681 for more information.
› Mother’s Day Market: Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is May 9. For gift ideas, you might check out the Funkey Munkey Arts & Crafts Show, which will be set up Monday through May 9 near Belk at Northgate Mall in Hixson. K&S Southern Hospitality Events, which produces several seasonal festivals, has gathered a selection of handmade jewelry, artwork, home decor, woodworking, baked goods and other merchandise from dozens of artisans. More themed pop-up markets will return during the year. funkeymunkeymarket.me
› Southern Blooms Festival: Another good option for mom is the Mother’s Day Tea at Grandview during Rock City’s Southern Blooms Festival. The 12th annual festival takes place 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. May 8-9 and May 15-16. New this season are live fairies in Gnome Valley and 30-minute “Living Fountain” character performances featuring mime artistry in the pavilion. The tea, which has limited seating at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 9, includes timed entry to the festival and a keepsake plant. Prices for the tea range from about $25 to $43. Festival entry is just under $27 for adults, $15 for ages 3-12. For tea reservations, go to www. seerockcity.com/mothersday. For festival information, go to www.seerockcity.com/ southernblooms. Or call 706-820-2531.
› Rise fundraiser: The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults will host country singer Jimmy Wayne for a twopart fundraiser this week. Wayne, who has used his fame to advocate for at-risk foster youth, recounted his own experiences in the best-selling memoir “Walk to Beautiful,” his account of being abandoned by his mother when he was 13. Registration has closed for a VIP dinner and concert on Tuesday and luncheon on Wednesday, but tickets for a virtual program starting at noon Wednesday are still available for $25. This year’s fundraiser highlights the Partnership’s youth services program, River City Youth Collective, which serves at-risk youth and young adults aging out of foster care. Register for the virtual link at partnershipfca.com/155.
› Thomas the Tank Engine is back on track at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, this weekend. The interactive ride takes place on a full-size train that evokes the fun of Wilbert Awdry’s collection of storybooks. Sir Topham Hatt, the railway controller from the Island of Sodor, will be on hand, and families can entertain themselves with lawn games, live entertainment, miniature golf and a bubble zone, among other activities. The fun continues next Saturday and May 15-16 (no Thomas rides on Mother’s Day). You’ll need to buy tickets in advance at www.DayOutWithThomas. com (no walk-ups allowed). Tickets are $24 for ages 2 and up. For more information, call 423-894-8028.