🤝 The Volunteer State | Tennessee has gone through several nicknames — from Big Bend to Hog + Hominy. But after thousands of Tennessee volunteers played a major role in the War of 1812, “the Volunteer State” stuck.

🚩 The Tri-Star | Our flag was designed by Colonel Le Roy Reeves, with 3 stars representing the Grand Divisions of Tennessee: East (you are here), Middle (hey, NASHtoday 👋) + West. The flag is designed so that no star is directly above another, the circle representing “indissoluble unity.”

🪡 Tennessee State Tartan | You know tartan, the checkered, plaid-like design on kilts? Well, Tennessee is one of a handful of states with its own tartan, acknowledging our Scottish heritage. Some of its colors are white (for the unity of the Grand Divisions), purple (for the iris, our state flower) + blue (for the mountains).

🌸 The Iris | Our state flower comes in many colors — but even though the General Assembly forgot to specify which one represented Tennessee, the purple iris (aka Blue Flag) was the obvious choice. "When It's Iris Time in Tennessee" makes us bubble up with civic pride (and shouts out the mockingbird, our state bird).

#MUSTDO

Today

Matt Downer on the Patio | Tues., Oct. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 1885 Grill, 3914 St. Elmo Ave., Ste. P | Price of purchase | Throwback to some early American tunes on the banjo + fiddle. 🪕
Tricks to Treat Yourself | Tues., Oct. 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | $17 | Create your own “self-care container” in this guided art therapy workshop.
Serial Killer Trivia Night | Tues., Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. | Jack Browns Beer & Burger Joint, 818 Georgia Ave. | Price of purchase | If David Berkowitz + Aileen Wuornos are familiar names to you, this trivia night may be your jam. 🔪

Wednesday

Waitress | Tues., Oct. 26-Wed., Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $38+ | This touring Broadway musical about an expert pie maker is making its way to Chattanooga. 🥧
Air Fryer: TikTok Recipes | Wed., Oct. 27 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | $20 | Test out the most popular TikTok air fryer recipes + learn how to make them just right.

Thursday

Aquascarium | Thurs., Oct. 28-Fri., Oct. 29 | 4-7 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium | $35 | Embark on a treasure hunt through both Aquarium buildings and enjoy the decorations, costumed divers + prefilled candy bags. 🐠
Noontunes: Flow Creatives - Halloween Costume Party | Thurs., Oct. 28 | 12-1 p.m. | Miller Plaza | Free | Wear your costume + listen to tunes midday in Miller Plaza.

Friday

Spooky Halloween Painting | Fri., Oct. 29 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. | $40 | In this beginner-friendly painting class, you’ll be creating a witch-themed acrylic.
Hand Crafted Wishes | Fri., Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Hunter Museum | $10+ | This 6th annual event will include unlimited samples of craft beer, cider, wine, spirits, food from local restaurants + a DJ and costume contest.

Saturday

Halloween on the Green | Sat., Oct. 30 | 4-9 p.m. | Chattanooga Green, 19 Chestnut St. | Free | Enjoy live music, games, pumpkin painting, a screening of Disney's “Coco,” face painting, balloon animals, candy, glow sticks, and more. Ⓟ

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE OCTOBER EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

64º | Partly cloudy | 6% chance of rain ⛅

Announced

Today, Gov. Bill Lee and other community leaders will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Construction Career Center, located at the site of the former Mary Ann Garber School. The 28,000-sqft vocational center will offer construction education + training for Hamilton County high school students and adults. 🏗️
Ice on the Landing announced that it will return to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens at 6 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 19. The open air, 120’x40’ ice rink surrounded by gas lanterns + holiday lighting will remain open through Jan. 30.

Community

On Wed., Oct. 27, The Net Resource Foundation + Tennessee office for the Trust For Public Land will host a party at the Southside Community Park from 3:30-6:15 p.m. in honor of the successful completion of the playground. The celebration will feature food, a DJ, yard games, and time to try out the community's new playground.

Award

The Chattanooga Public Library received a $5,000 grant from The Thompson Foundation — the philanthropic fund of Thompson Engineering — that will support its efforts to provide “STEAM” education to middle school students. In partnership with Thompson Engineering, the library is introducing the “STEAMtastic Thompson Tuesdays” program for engineering education. (The Pulse)

Health

The Hamilton County Health Department is administering Moderna COVID-19 booster shots by appointment only at the Carta Bus Barn — located at 1617 Wilcox Blvd. — beginning today. The Tennessee Riverpark vaccination site will also operate from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday until the first week of November. (The Pulse)

Regional

Tennessee State Parks is hosting a job fair on Fri., Oct. 29 for several positions at the new Fall Creek Falls Lodge. The $40.4 million project, which broke ground in 2019, will fill more than 30 full-time + part-time positions ranging from front desk associates to building maintenance technicians. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Sports

Over the weekend, Chattanooga FC hosted “Hero Night,” which celebrated first responders, medical workers, and teachers — who were able to receive free tickets to the game. The club also honored the Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society as their “Cause of the Night.” ⚽ (WRCB)

Watch

Last week, a bear was spotted wandering around a neighborhood in nearby Collegedale. Collegedale police reminded residents of the safety rules when dealing with bears: keep your distance + don't surprise the bear, stay calm, and move away slowly instead of running. 🐻 (WRCB)

Drink

Meet Haus, a low-ABV spirit to feel good about. Made with real ingredients and nothing artificial, Haus is a new alcohol brand going against the grain. Enjoy Haus on its own, in a spritz, or as a base for a delicious cocktail. Bonus: Get 15% off your first order. Ⓟ

📸 @boxcargeneralstore

Whatever kind of day (week, month, year, etc.) you’re having, here’s something we all have to look forward to. It’s the season to dress up your cats, dogs, donkeys, snakes + whatever else in cute costumes — and send us a picture, pretty please.

Or better yet, share your buddy with Chattanooga. Boxcar General Store, Hutton & Smith Brewing, and McKamey Animal Center are all running pet costume contests between now and Halloween.

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THE WRAP

NOOGA current: What we’re eating

Brianna here, and my plan for the week is to drink only Halloween or fall-themed lattes from nearby coffee shops, in honor of Halloween. On my list: Sleepyhead’s pumpkin spice latte, Velo’s chocolate chili nitro, and pumpkin oat foam cold brew from Peet’s.

Dayten here, and remember that salmon rice dish that took over TikTok earlier this month? Well, some trends are worth the clicks. My secret recipe is subbing out the sriracha for gochujang + eating all the seaweed beforehand. Try it. Seriously.

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