Things to do in Chattanooga: December 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Year's Eve Parties in Chattanooga

Chattanooga's New Year’s Eve celebrations are in full swing this year. Below lists some of the places where you can combine dinner, dancing and a party for this New Year's Eve.

Hunter Museum - What a place for a NYE Party!

The Chattanoogan

Ring in 2013 at The Chattanoogan. Begin with a full four course dinner at Broad Street Grill from 5 to 10 pm. Then top off the evening in The Foundry listening to the sounds of Priscilla and Lil Ricky. Included in the package is the cover charge for The Foundry, party favors and a champagne toast. Reservations are required, either online or call 423-424-3700. Pricing is $125 per couple.

Hunter Museum of American Art

Ring in the New Year (NYE) at Chattanooga’s most beautiful location, Hunter Museum overlooking the Tennessee River. Sponsored by the Hunter Museum, Events with Taste and SoundForce Entertainment, guests will enjoy great food, an open bar and music galore. Party attire is required and only 21 years and older are allowed to join in the fun. Tickets are $65 for Museum Members, $75 for non-members and $85 at the door.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Gardens Restaurant at Chattanooga Choo Choo will be serving a Prime Rib Dinner Buffet on New Year’s Eve from 5:00 to 10pm. After eating, head over to the Imperial Ballroom to dance 2012 away. The Beaters will be in full swing starting at 8 pm. It is strongly recommended that tickets to the 2012 New Year’s Rockin’ Eve at the Choo Choo be purchased in advance.

If you want to Funk it up a bit, head to Track 29 on the Choo Choo resort property (for all you old folks (me included) it is the old ice skating rink). The band “Here Come the Mummies” will be ringing in the New Year in funky kind of way. Doors open at 8, band begins playing at 9.

Southern Belle & Pier 2

The Southern Belle will help you rock 2012 away while rolling down the Tennessee River. The evening starts with hor dourves from 7:30 to 8:30 at the 3^rd Deck Burger Bar. Then board the riverboat at 8:30 to depart at 9 pm. Dinner, Prime Rib & Chicken Wisconsin, will be served at departure. A DJ will be rocking the boat on both decks and dancing will continue till 1 am. The boat will dock at 11:45 for those who want to catch the ball dropping on the TVs in the 3^rd Deck Burger Bar. There will be a champagne toast at Midnight with complimentary souvenir glasses. Pricing is $85.00 per person.

For those who have the late night munchies after the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, these restaurants are open 24 hours, including New Year’s Eve/Day.

City Café: located at 901 Carter Street and 7641 Lee Highway

Huddle House: Brainerd Road, Hixson Pike, Reco Drive in Soddy Daisy

IHOP: Brainerd Road and 153 in Hixson

Waffle House: Almost every street corner. In reality, there are 16 locations in the Chattanooga area.

May everyone have a happy and blessed 2014!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Collegedale-Ooltewah Christmas Parade 2012

Watching a small town parade is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Add warm temperatures and beautiful weather and you have a day made in holiday heaven. We arrived an hour before the scheduled start time in order to ensure a great picture taking spot that allowed for easy exiting after the parade. As it turned out, our chosen spot was perfect. I do not know who or what group was in charge of the holiday parade, but I must say kudoos to them. This year's parade was one of the best I have seen. I was totally blown away by it. Although the parade pictures do not do it justice, they will allow you to see a few of the wonderful participants of the parade.

Little Debbie Parkway before the parade.

Collegedale police officers making sure the parade path is clear.

Let the Collegedale-Ooltewah parade begin.

Patriotic start to the parade.

Emergency vehicles

Fire engine

Tri-community emergency vehicle

Up close to the emergency vehicle

Fire engine with ladder

Ooltewah High School Marching Band

Ooltewah High School Color Guard

Chattanooga Choo Choo, Ooltewah High School Band

Ooltewah High School Red Hots

Really large snack cakes anyone?

Little Debbie snack cakes, delicious!

The people who make Little Debbies

East Hamilton Color Guard

East Hamilton Marching Band

Cool old Car

I am Goofy!

Christmas decorated truck

Side view of a Christmas decorated truck.

Very large, very white dog. Isn't he cute?

Love the wheels. I want peppermint colored wheels.

Really old car.

Military vehicles decorated for Christmas.

Please remember and pray for all the soldiers who will not be home for Christmas.

Military vehicle

Reminds me of Mash

Thanks for reading about what to do in Chattanooga and the special events being held in this great town. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be sure to check out the Holiday Starlight Parade and the Lighted Boat Parade Pictures.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Chattanooga 2012 Lighted Boat Parade

It would not be Christmas on the Tennessee River without the annual Chattanooga Lighted Boat parade. After the Holiday Starlight parade was over, everyone walked just a bit to the Tennessee River at Ross' Landing to watch the boat parade. This year's parade was sponsored by Marine Max and was followed by a fantastic fireworks display. We left the street parade early in order to get seats for the boat parade (I am a boat enthusiast). This was actually a good idea because we were able to set on the concrete seats overlooking the river instead of in the grass. Below are a few pictures of my favorite boats. Please note, these are moving boats at night some of the pics are blurry but you will get the picture.