Chattanooga area events calendar - July 18-24

LEISURE

BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN -- Athens Diner, 925 Congress Parkway, Athens, Tenn. Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen members give presentations on their horse-related trips, 6:30 p.m. today, July 18. 423-238-5540.

BATTLEFIELD BIKE TOURS -- Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Visitor Center, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Bring bicycle and helmet and join leisurely paced two-hour rides led by a ranger through battlefield, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20. For adults and children ages 8 and older accompanied by an adult. 423-752-5213.

BRAINERD FARMERS MARKET -- Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. Open 10 a.m.-noon. Saturdays. 423-580-6281.

CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS -- The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery, 9 nightly. $15 adults, $10 ages 12 and under $10. 423-821-7125.

CHATTANOOGA PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY -- St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. Colby McLemore of Knoxville, president of Professional Photographers of East Tennessee, presents "What Makes a Winning Image," 7 p.m. today, July 18. 423-344-5643.

CHATTANOOGA SIDEWALK TOURS -- Choice of two tours, daily through Nov. 1. $15 adults, $7 children 12 and under. Reservations required: 423-228-0448, www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com.

• Dynamo of Dixie Tour: Departs from Sheraton Read House, corner of Broad Street and M.L. King Boulevard; 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

• Bluffs and Bridges Tour: Begins at south end of Walnut Street Bridge; 4 and 6 p.m.

CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET -- Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Vendors sell local produce, arts, crafts and horticultural projects, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each Saturday. www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.

FOOTHILLS COUNTRY FAIR -- Tri-State Exhibition Center, 200 Natures Trail, Cleveland, Tenn. Tenth annual arts and crafts fair, barbecue competition, kids activities, pageants and demolition derby, sponsored by Ruritan Clubs in Bradley and Hamilton counties, July 25-27. Three-day admission $10. 423-339-1989.

FORT OGLETHORPE CRUISE-IN -- Gateway Mall, 4103 Cloud Springs Road. Open to cars, trucks and motocycles, 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Includes 50/50 cash prize, swap meet, kids' activities, music, door prizes. Free to spectators and owners. 706-866-4753.

HIKES -- Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Car-pool locations given for those who want to meet group. 423-842-3619.

• Saturday, July 20: Enterprise South, moderate 7 miles, meet at Highway 153 Target, 8 a.m.,

• Tuesday, July 23: Red Clay State Park, easy 3 miles, meet at Highway 153 Target, 8 a.m.

• Saturday, July 27: Sluder Lane to Big Soddy Creek, slightly strenuous 7 miles, meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy, 8 a.m.

HOME EDUCATION EXPO -- Camp Jordan Arena, East Ridge. More than 80 exhibits and 65 workshops providing resources for home-school families and education enrichment, 9 am.-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Two-day family admission $8 for nonmembers of Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association. www.csthea.org, 423-266-HOME.

LIONEL COLLECTORS CLUB -- Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. www.lionelcollectors.org.

• National convention includes 18- by 40-foot interactive model train layout set up in Choo Choo lobby, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. today-Friday, July 18-19; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Free.

• Train show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Track 29. Free but donations accepted for Children's Hospital at Erlanger.

LOOKOUTS BASEBALL -- AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Jackson Generals, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, July 23-27. Promotions: Bi-Lo BOGO Tuesday; Soddy-Daisy Night Thursday; fireworks Friday and Used Car Night on Saturday. $3-$9. 423-267-4849.

LUAU WINE FEST -- Georgia Winery, 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga. Hawaiian music by Paul Vogler, dance music by DJ, Hawaiian-style pizza by Local Slice food truck, silent auction, door prizes and games, 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Jimmy Pyro and the Fire Dancers, 8:45-9:45 p.m. For ages 21 and older. $15-$20 includes one glass of wine. Bring a lawn chair. 706-937-9463.

MONTEAGLE MARKET FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS -- 16 Dixie Lee Highway, Monteagle, Tenn. Music, 125 arts and crafts vendors, free kids activities, beans and cornbread and barbecue sold, July 27-28. Free. 931-924-5353.

MUD BOG -- 1095 Weatherly Switch Trail, SW, Cleveland, Tenn. Fundraiser presented by Red Clay Pickin' Barn and Flint Springs Ruritan Club, 2 p.m. Aug. 3. Sign-ups start at 10 a.m. $20 truck entry, $3 spectators. 423-464-3034, 423-240-3439.

NIGHT ZIP LINE -- True Adventure Sports, 13102 Alabama Highway 176, Fort Payne, Ala. Zip 250 feet over a ravine and through woods with only headlamp and tiki torches for light source, 7:30-9:30 p.m. CDT Monday, July 22. $25 for two to three zips. Reservations: 256-997-9577.

OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET -- Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Local farmers sell fresh produce, 2-5 p.m. Thursdays. No wholesalers or resellers allowed. 423-238-9775.

PINK BRIDAL SHOW -- Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St. Variety of bridal industry vendors in one exhibit hall, 11 am.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 21. $8 in advance online, $10 at the door. www.thepinkbride.com.

Q 'N' BREW AT THE ZOO -- Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Second barbecue and beer-tasting event to benefit the zoo, 4:30-7 p.m. July 27. $20. 423-697-1319.

RAPPELLING ADVENTURE -- True Adventure Sports, 13102 Alabama Highway 176, Fort Payne, Ala. Rappell down a sandstone cliff in Northeast Alabama, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT Saturday, July 20, or Monday, July 22. $42.50 includes all gear and instructor; previous experience not required. 256-997-9577.

RINGGOLD MARKET -- Catoosa County Courthouse, Ringgold, Ga. Fresh produce, crafts and live music in downtown Ringgold market, 9 a.m.-noon. Saturdays through Labor Day. www.ringgold.com.

RIVER CANYON ADVENTURES -- 21726 River Canyon Road. 423-451-6068. Explore the scenic Tennessee River Gorge with three-hour adventures that include rope swing and volleyball, 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. daily. Sunset cruise at 6 p.m. Upriver to Williams Island, $35. Downriver into Tennessee River Gorge, $45. www.rivercanyon adventure.com.

SALUTE OUR TROOPS -- Kangaroo Express stores in Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Cleveland, Tenn., and Ringgold, Ga. Fundraising campaign recognizing military heroes stops July 29-31. Features 2009 Mullis Salute Our Troops dragster, driven by retired U.S. Army soldier and drag racer Don O'Neal, along with family games, opportunity to share messages of thanks with troops. Free. Donations go to troop-related charities.

SHE: AN EXPO FOR WOMEN -- Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Women's expo sponsored by Times Free Press with more than 100 vendors, special appearances by Miss Kay of "Duck Dynasty," the co-hosts of "DC Cupcakes" and "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Caroline Manzo, July 27-July 28. $12-$15. 423-757-6915.

SOUTHSIDE STROLL -- East and West Main street neighborhoods. Sidewalk stroll of studios, gifts shops, restaurants in Southside, special events and discounts offered, 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 26. 423-400-4100.

TRAIN RIDES -- Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com. Missionary Ridge Local is six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM's repair shop, departing at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m. daily.

VANN HOUSE DAYS -- Vann House Park, three miles west of Chatsworth, Ga., at intersection of Highways 52A and 225, Spring Place, Ga. Living-history demonstrations at historic Cherokee homestead sponsored by Friends of the Vann House, July 27. Short film and interpretive exhibits on Vann family at Visitors Center $6 adults, $5.50 ages 62 and older, $4 ages 6-18. 706-695-2598.

BOOKS/AUTHORS

ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR -- Fowler Center, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. Tennesse Antiquarian Booksellers Association moves annual fair to larger venue, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 21 (all times Central). Includes collectible and rare books, first editions, plus dealers specializing in children's literature, art, religion, fine bindings and books about books. Speakers both days. $5 admission; books priced at $10 to $50,000. www.tennaba.org.

BOOK LAUNCH -- Winder Binder Gallery & Bookstore, 40 Frazier Ave. Local journalist Cody Maxwell releases "Chattanooga Chronicles," containing stories about Chattanooga's overlooked history, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 20. 423-413-8999, www.historypress.net.

BOOK SIGNINGS -- Three Cleveland, Tenn., locations. Cleveland native Larry Hawkins signs copies of "The Misadventures of Joe Bradley Mullins" the next three Saturdays.

• July 20: Bi-Lo, 2310 McGrady Drive, 2-4 p.m.

• July 27: The Retreat at Spring Creek, 260 25th St., noon-4 p.m.

• Aug. 3 Bi-Lo, 255 Ocoee Crossing, NW, 2-4 p.m.

CHILDREN/TEENS

COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN -- Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Activities including hearing and vision screenings and hands-on experiences, plus a school bus to explore, to help rising kindergartners and their families get ready for school, 5:30-8 p.m. today, July 18. Free. First 100 children receive free backpack with school supplies. 423-756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.

EXPLORATION WEDNESDAYS -- WTCI, 7540 Bonnyshire Drive. Screening of an episode of "Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers," make-and-take project, technology activity, hands-on exploration, snack time, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, July 24 (final session). $10-$15. Reservations: 423-702-7822.

DANCES

BALLROOM -- Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road, Hixson. Dance party, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. $10. 423-771-3646.

LINE --

• Mondays: Allemande Hall, 7400 Standifer Gap Road. Dance to music of all genres, for beginners through intermediate level dancers. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $7 per evening, $22 monthly. www.linesinmotion.net.

• Wednesdays: North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, 5-7:45 p.m. $5. www.bootsandbucklesdance.com.

• Thursdays: St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, 5-7:45 p.m., $3. www.bootsandbucklesdance.com.

SHAG -- Elks Lodge, Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. $5 members, $7 guests, free to first-time guests. 7 p.m. Thursdays. gdelett@epbfi.com.

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