Chattanooga Named Among Top 5 Small Cities in America
Chattanooga Named Among Top 5 Small Cities in America by Leading Expert in Revitalization of City Places
Article by Reneé LaSalle, WDEF News 12
Chattanooga’s parks and public spaces were under the microscope Tuesday… and they passed with flying colors.
Fred Kent is a leading authority on revitalizing city spaces.
He says its one of the best ways to keep a city growing and healthy…
A bike ride through downtown Chattanooga was all it took for Kent to name it one of the top cities in America.
Kent is the founder and president of the non-profit group Project for Public Spaces.
He says, “It is such a thrill to be here and to see the progress.”
Project for Public Spaces deals specifically with making cities and public spaces beautiful.
Kent tours as many as 70 cities a year, and his preferred mode of inspection is via bicycle.
He says Chattanooga is one of the best he’s seen, and its downtown revitalization is a big part of that, “Its sort of an organic way of growing a city.”
Speaking to a group of city planners and leaders Kent applauded the Tennessee Aquarium and the Water Front.
He praised city government for creating public places the city and its people can enjoy.
Benwood Foundation Executive Director Corinne Allen says, “It’s time for a celebration, not only of what we’ve done in the past, but the potential of going forward to make this an even more desirable community than it is today.”
City leaders say Kent’s advice will achieve that potential…
Kent says Chattanooga’s streets and traffic need to become public spaces once again, so that the atmosphere and activities in a place automatically control the flow of traffic and speed.
He listed two key areas that need some work… The Library and the Chattanooga Market.
Kent says, “You’re never finished. We always say that you’re never finished. There’s so much to do here, but you’re on such an amazing foundation.”
Kent was in town as part of the Benwood Foundation’s Hunter Lecture Series.
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Hey Jenny, my mom was showing me your latest updates, sounds so exciting and fun!! Thought I would stop by and say hi!! = D
In Him, Felycia
[...] together. So naturally we were excited to hear about the Chattanooga Market’s Beast Feast, a BBQ cookoff. Sample some of the city’s best BBQ for a mere $5? Yes, [...]
Once again, the Chattanooga Market has outdone itself! What an enjoyable afternoon! Please let me know the name of the popcorn people who also did the pig roast, or how I can contact them. I know of a group that would like to have a similar pig roast and would like to see if they would be interested in “doing the pig”. Again, thanks for a wonderful day! What a crowd!!!
Sally Sieg
We did not have a good time today at the Beast Feast.
Me, my wife and daughter came down today expecting to enjoy our selves as we did last year at the wing tasting. After buying $20 worth of samples and standing in line for almost 30 minutes and never getting our first sample. We became frustrated and asked for our money back. The problem we had was it was unorganized and you could not tell which line was going which way. It would have been much much better if they were spread out more.
we wanted to sample each of the vendors, but at the rate we were standing in line it would have taking us 2 1/2 to 4 hours to stand thru all the lines to get just the samples.
We will be back at a later time for other events but we will survey the set-up before we spend money just to stand in line.
I look forward to your responce
The crowds were the largest in the history of the Market, indeed the history of the entire complex — with approximately 15,000 people present, the amount of interest simply overwhelmed every aspect of the facility. With ease, we could have occupied twice the space, twice the parking – everything. The same layout has been used for years by other large events/festivals, and we assumed it would be fine for this weekend. Realistically, I believe The Beast Feast will evolve into a multi-day event occupying a much larger area in future years — the demand is clearly present.
I’m glad that you got your refund – we certainly want for everyone to have a good time. The challenge of how to comfortably support larger crowds on key weekends is one of our top priorities.
I thought it was great that you managed to create another event that people were excited about, had free admission & people showed up for to support in droves! You couldn’t have predicted that number for a first year but it means next year will be fantastic.
Would be nice to know which vendor was voted best though! Can someone post this somewhere please??
We were one of the competitors this year in the Beast Feast and we would just like to thank everyone at the Chattanooga Market for putting this together. We too hope everyone had a great time & hope this continues for years to come. We’d like to thank everyone who stood in line to sample HillbillyWillys we were very excited to serve each and everyone of you. Thanks again to Chris, Beth and the rest at Chattanooga Market. This was a fabulous idea!
We were one of the competitors this year, we would like to thank the Chattanooga Market for putting this together. We would also like to thank everyone who waited in the very long lines to sample MOSS PLACE,it was our pleasure to serve each and everyone of you,seeing old friends and meeting new ones.Thanks again…..
Im sooo excited but I really believe HillBillywilly’s took it! Love BBQ
Is there any way that you can list on your site which vendors will be at the market each Sunday? It was very upsetting to drive down all the way from Soddy Daisy this afternoon, only to find maybe three vendors with VERY little fresh produce, and a ridiculous amount of craftspeople.
The early visitor gets the produce! We had a full load of farmers, overflowing with produce, at the start of the day. Due to strong consumer demand, they simply sold everything. By late in the afternoon, several of our farms are simply sold and gone.
We’re not a mega-mart, with deep-freeze storage; what is picked in the morning is sold at the Market within hours — nothing lingers in storage for days/weeks/months. This is the reason why local produce is so much tastier, healthier — and disappears quickly once offered for sale to the public.
Next week will begin to see heirloom tomatoes, and sweet corn will be arriving in about another week.
[PS - and being the largest produce-only Market in the region, we feel our variety and assortment of craftspeople is quite perfect.]
I love Southern Smokehouse Bar-B-Que’s beef so it’s no surprise to me that they won the people’s choice award!
[...] Day: The Chattanooga Market, a perpetual Sunday favorite, is giving dads what they want: live music, beer, and spicy cajun food. There are even activities to keep the kids happy while the dads indulge. Urban Rocks is back with [...]
[...] artisan crafts, the In-Town Gallery will be on hand to display works by local artists. Folk group Centralia Massacre and singer/songwriter Sara Jean Kelley will perform on [...]
[...] be on hand to display works by local artists. Folk group Centralia Massacre and singer/songwriter Sara Jean Kelley will perform on [...]
The Chattanooga Market is #1 in my book! EVERY WEEK is amazing…well-planned and FUN for the whole family! Today at the Market, the music was GREAT! I ate BBQ, drank fresh Strawberry Lemonade, ate ice cream in a waffle cone, bought spices and veggies and salsa… and LAUGHED with my family! Looking forward to next week…
I would like to contact the “orchid lady”. She is located, with her partner (porelain pottery, near the front on the side toward the right side. I do not find her listed in the vendor list. Thank you.
[...] Cream Social: Beat the heat Sunday afternoon at the Chattanooga Market’s Ice Cream Social featuring tasty treats from hometown favorite Clumpie’s as well as Bi-Lo, Bruster’s and [...]
Christina, I am so proud of you. I have a booth at the market on occasion and hopefully one day it will be the same time you are performing. I am going to try and come tomorrow to see you. I tell Maggie about you all the time. She just had another baby. I have 2 grandbabies now. Hope you are doing well. Elaine, Mags MOM
[...] Chattanooga Peach Festival – Sunday, July 19 from 11 am – 4 pm at the First TN Pavilion in downtown Chattanooga. Admission is free. There’s also fresh produce, local craft vendors, and live music. There is a different theme every Sunday from now til Dec. 6 at The Chattanooga Market. All the info is on their website. You can purchase tickets to attend Amanda Varnell’s Cooking Class July 19 at 11:30 for $15 at the door or RSVP in advance to cooking-live {at} comcast {dot} net. [...]
what about a ice cream eating contest?
That’s an interesting idea for the future — thanks for the suggestion!
[...] Market: Mayfield Scoops It Up this weekend, and you can too! For $5, you get to try 5 different flavor scoops of Mayfield Ice [...]
Thanks to all the fine folks at Chattanooga Market, Mayfield Dairy and Sunny 92.3 FM for promoting this great summer event. We raised $2,132 in support of the ministry of Bethel Bible Village. Thanks to the great crowd of people at the Market. Look forward to next year!
[...] Aug. 9 – National Farmer’s Market Week at the Chattanooga Market 11 am – 4 pm. Click here for more [...]
[...] chattanoogamarket.com for more info. This Sunday, Aug. 16 the theme is Five Star Food Fight! Click here for more [...]
[...] with arts, crafts, & healthy activities for children and families from The United Way. Click here for more [...]
[...] chattanoogamarket.com for more info. This Sunday, Aug. 30 the theme is Mountain View Bluegrass. Click here for more [...]
[...] is Mountain View Bluegrass Day at the Chattanooga Market, featuring performances by The Barker Brothers, Slim Pickin’s and [...]
[...] Visit chattanoogamarket.com for more info. This Sunday, Sept. 6 the theme is Cut Up For Life. Click here for more [...]
so how does one sign up to be in these competition’s?
[...] This Sunday, Sept. 20 enjoy entertainment from the country rock group, Somebody’s Darling. Click here for more [...]
email your professional chef resume & culinary training to info @ chattanoogamarket.org, and we will consider you for inclusion in future cooking competitions.
[...] info. Click here for more [...]
[...] from 4-7 pm at Miller Plaza. Admission is free. Enjoy live music, local farms, and art. Visit chattanoogamarket.com for more [...]
Does anyone have the times the different things will be going on. I wont be able to spend the entire day there but I’d like to know about when Dandasha will be performing
[...] 29 from 4-7 pm at Miller Plaza. Admission is free. Enjoy live music, local farms, and art. Visit chattanoogamarket.com for more [...]
[...] Chattanooga Market: The holiday season is on its way, and along with more than 130 vendors and community organizations will be on hand to celebrate all things local. [...]
If you are in or anywhere at all near the Chattanooga Downtown area, do yourself a favor and make it down to see Sonia. She is just back for a day or two from the Breaking Southern Ground Tour and performed with the likes of Zac Brown, Levi Lowery and Nic Cowan! Rare chance to see a rare gem in a laid back beautiful setting.
A great season this year… super proud to say this great event each week is in my hometown. Can’t wait to be apart of it next year!
[...] Events Vendor Meeting: Sunday, April 11 @ 2pmHoliday Market 12/5 & 12/6 – Chattanooga Market’s Season Finale11/29/09 Coca-Cola Collectors [...]