The schedule for events celebrating Catoosa County’s 150th anniversary continues to expand, officials said.

To coordinate a year’s worth of activities geared toward the North Georgia community and tourists, the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce on Monday hosted a meeting with several planners of county events.

Chamber president Katie Rennard said the meeting was necessary to obtain dates, times and locations of all events to prepare advertising materials for distribution.

“We plan to maximize our marketing of these events by working together to coordinate and sponsor them as part of a year filled with activities,” Rennard said. “We have so much going on in the county, and we don’t talk about it.”

Nancy Crowe, co-organizer of Cherokee Day in Catoosa, said plans are firming up for the April 26 cultural event celebrating the region’s first residents. Traditional dancers, storytellers, craftsmen, musicians and vendors will all participate, Crowe said.

“It’s growing as more people hear about it,” she said.

Some planners expressed concerns about the return of Pops in the Park at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park on May 24 — the second day of Ringgold’s annual 1890’s Days Jamboree.

Rennard said promoting the diversity of both events that weekend will be important.

Those attending Ringgold’s event will be treated to gospel singing May 23 and bluegrass on May 24. The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera will be performing classical and patriotic selections at the foot of Wilder Tower in the park.

“To my way of thinking, it’s a whole different audience,” Rennard said.

Pat Page, chair of Catoosa’s 150th anniversary celebration committee, agrees.

“I don’t think they’re going to attract the same group of people,” she said. “I think we can co-exist peacefully.”

Shirley Smith, organizer of the Catoosa County Fair, said the Memorial Day weekend’s conflicting events could actually work in everyone’s favor, with even more people coming into the county.

Smith said the county fair will be held Oct. 8-12 at the Benton Place campus, and will include gospel and bluegrass shows, flu shots, an antique car show, a “Taste of Catoosa” event offering food from all of the county’s dining establishments, a fireworks display and a possible midway.

“Whether we have the midway or not, it’s going to be a fabulous four days,” she said.

Page said the county will soon be installing signs promoting the county’s 150th anniversary on area highways.



Plans are underway for an anniversary dinner and show at The Colonnade on Dec. 6, she said.

Other events slated for the county’s 150th celebration include Veterans History Day June 7 in Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa County Fire-Rescue’s PRCA Rodeo July 18-20 at the Charles Davis farm, the St. Jude Rodeo Aug. 7-9 St. at Yates farm, Labor Day at the Post in Fort Oglethorpe Sept. 1, Habitat for Humanity fashion show Oct. 16 at The Colonnade, and the Battle of Ringgold commemoration on Nov. 29 with a possible battle re-enactment at Ringgold Gap