Community Calendar

St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church to Host Community Fish Fry Rebuilding Kick-off Saturday August 29, 2026

Athens, Tenn—August 29, 2026 St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church invites Athens and surrounding communities, organizations, and businesses to the Community Fish Fry beginning at 12 noon at the McMinn County Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Avenue, Athens, TN. which will serve as the kickoff for St. Mark's A.M.E. Zion Church's Rebuilding Campaign.

The menu will feature St. Mark's traditional fish fry and signature white beans and delicious desserts. This is a donation event with all proceeds supporting the ongoing effort to rebuild the historic landmark St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church on the Hill.

St. Mark has been a part of the Athens community since 1865. The community of faith desires to rebuild after the devastating arsonist fire that resulted in the loss of life of a beloved member of the church and community as well as the destruction of the historic landmark. The congregation continues its ministry and community outreach while working towards rebuilding a new structure that will begin a new journey as the lighthouse of the community. We hope to see all of our friends, family, and neighbors.

St. Mark A.M.E. Church, in partnership with the local community, will host its official Kick-off Fundraiser to Rebuild St. Mark on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The community fish fry will begin at 12:00 PM (Noon) and run until sold out at the McMinn Senior Activity Center, located at 205 McMinn Avenue in Athens.

Two years ago, a tragic fire destroyed the beloved St. Mark A.M.E. Church building. Since that devastating loss, the congregation and community members have remained resilient, continuing to gather and plan for the future. This fish fry marks the formal launch of the capital campaign dedicated to raising the necessary funds to rebuild the church home.

"St. Mark A.M.E. Church has been a sanctuary, a pillar of faith, and a place of community support in Athens for generations," said organizers. "While the fire destroyed our physical building, it could never destroy our faith or our spirit. This fish fry is our first big step toward raising the walls of St. Mark once again, and we invite the entire McMinn County community to come out, enjoy a hot meal, and stand with us as we rebuild."

Event Details:

What: St. Mark A.M.E. Church Rebuilding Kick-off Fish Fry

When: Saturday, August 29, 2026 | Begins at 12:00 PM (Noon) until sold out

Where: McMinn Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Avenue, Athens, TN 37303

Purpose: All proceeds directly benefit the St. Mark A.M.E. Rebuilding Fund.

Plates will feature fried fish, sides, and beverages. Donations and contributions above meal purchases are welcomed and deeply appreciated.

Returning for another season on September 3, Noontunes will feature local musicians every week at Miller Park from 12pm - 1pm!

Hosted in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors and the City of Chattanooga Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Noontunes offers residents, employees and neighbors an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, games, food trucks and free live music as a part of the series, “Take a Break”.

In addition to seeing the concerts in person, shows are later aired on WUTC 88.1FM.

Noontunes has been held since 2016 and features Chattanooga area based musicians. The program has supported over 50 musicians and invested $20,000+ in Chattanooga's local music economy.
2026 Sponsors include City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Bank, and Food City.

For the full schedule, visit www.rivercitycompany.com/noontunes

Returning for another season on September 3, Noontunes will feature local musicians every week at Miller Park from 12pm - 1pm!

Hosted in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors and the City of Chattanooga Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Noontunes offers residents, employees and neighbors an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, games, food trucks and free live music as a part of the series, “Take a Break”.

In addition to seeing the concerts in person, shows are later aired on WUTC 88.1FM.

Noontunes has been held since 2016 and features Chattanooga area based musicians. The program has supported over 50 musicians and invested $20,000+ in Chattanooga's local music economy.
2026 Sponsors include City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Bank, and Food City.

For the full schedule, visit www.rivercitycompany.com/noontunes

Flying for Kids is a family-friendly radio-control model aircraft event hosted by the Bradley County Radio Control Model Aircraft Club. Visitors can watch a variety of model aircraft in flight and learn about aviation, aerodynamics, radio-control systems, aircraft construction, and the technical skills involved in model aviation.

The event raises money for The Caring Place SacPac Meals program, which helps provide meals for children in need over the weekends. Spectator admission is free. Food will be available for purchase, and restrooms will be available on site.

Participating pilots must hold current AMA membership. Pilot donations are requested.

For additional information, contact Jeannine Patterson at piperj3cub.jp@gmail.com or visit https://bcrcmac.org/

From 4-5:30pm ChattaSings is excited to share with the larger Chattanooga community the songs of Solidarity we’ve been singing together weekly for the past few weeks! This is a participatory event (not a performative one), and as such attendees will be invited to breathe, hum, and sing along and add their unique voice to the circle.

Afterward we will share a meal together via a community potluck dinner (5:30-6:30pm).

At 6:30pm Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble from Raleigh, NC will share an acoustic set of their songs born out of over 30 years of signing that is rooted in community and labor movements of the South. "The Fruit of Labor’s songs and music touches all because it is rooted in our people’s ageless traditions of chants, call and response, spirituals, reggae, jazz, blues, R&B, soul, folk, hip-hop and spoken word. It’s an exciting mixed bag of dancing, energy, down in your bones spiritual and “fightback” coming at you!"

The community is welcome to join for either or both of these unique community singing experiences!

Mark your calendars for September 14, 2026, as we celebrate a decade of making a difference at the beautiful Lookout Mountain Club golf course. Hosted by the Morning Pointe Foundation, this annual tournament supports our mission to provide caregiver support programs and fund clinical scholarships to advance the care of seniors.

Your participation helps us continue this vital work. Join us for a day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back. Together, we can make a lasting impact on senior care.

Returning for another season on September 3, Noontunes will feature local musicians every week at Miller Park from 12pm - 1pm!

Hosted in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors and the City of Chattanooga Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Noontunes offers residents, employees and neighbors an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, games, food trucks and free live music as a part of the series, “Take a Break”.

In addition to seeing the concerts in person, shows are later aired on WUTC 88.1FM.

Noontunes has been held since 2016 and features Chattanooga area based musicians. The program has supported over 50 musicians and invested $20,000+ in Chattanooga's local music economy.
2026 Sponsors include City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Bank, and Food City.

For the full schedule, visit www.rivercitycompany.com/noontunes

Cumberland Hope is a place of healing and change for severely traumatized children and their families. We provide safety, innovative and evidence-based treatments, physical, mental, spiritual, and whole family support to help the hardest-to-reach children and their families.

Would love for you to join our fundraising event to help keep our mission possible.

Everyone is invited so tell your friends, family, church, organizations, etc. Join us for a FREE Community Festival that is raising funds for the nonprofit, Cumberland Hope. Activities include and are still growing:

1. Petting zoo
2. Bounce houses
3. Food (BBQ plates, Hotdogs and Nachos) along with Sweet Treats ice cream truck.
4. Tractor Hayrides
5. Hug-A-Cow
6. Craft vendors with a Silent Auction
7. Sensory room along with a Free Buddy System for those wanting to hang out with a buddy during the event.
8. Facepainting

Would love to have volunteers to help if you know anyone or are willing to help. Just visit CumberlandHope.org and place a FREE Ticket with us and let us know you’re interested and willing to help.

FREE Admission for everyone!!

Interested in becoming a Vendor? Visit CumberlandHope.org and scroll down for Vendor Application and let’s get your spot registered.

Everyone is invited so tell your friends, family, church, organizations, etc..