originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press
When we moved to East Ridge 25 years ago, Camp Jordan was a rural land mark where you could walk quietly and virtually alone. Purchased in 1930 by the Tennessee National Guard, it was named after Major General Paul Jordan. In 1946, the land was auctioned off as military surplus, but the name “Camp Jordan” remained even when the City of East Ridge purchased the farmland property in 1973. Now, the 275-acre park is operated by the East Ridge Parks and Recreation Department with a mission to serve the community. What began as 2 ball fields developed into 13 baseball/softball fields, 14 soccer fields, a 18-hole Disc Golf Course, 2 Beach Volleyball Courts, 2 picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, a RV campground, a 30,000 sq. ft. arena, along with stores, restaurants and a hotel. It’s like a small village!
The annual Fall Festival supports the mission of community-building by bringing us all together to celebrate the season. I’ve attended all 3 of East Ridge’s annual Fall Festivals. This was the first festival to expand from one day to a full weekend. There were 25 businesses and organizations sponsoring the event which gave East Ridge the opportunity to offer free admission and parking. Given its 36 food vendors, 175 craft vendors, inflatable kids’ playground, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, photo booth, and more, the festival was packed. Not surprising! How can you not love watching a diverse crowd of kids bounce to the music, slurp on the tasty food, and ride the small ponies with joy?
I asked Hannah Spear, the festival’s coordinator and the supervisor of the city’s community center, how many people were expected to attend. She spoke about the really good turn out, saying that she expected about 10,000 attendees per day. Looking around us, seeing the flow of people from grand parents to babies, there were thousands of attendees even before lunch time.
Her job requires true dedication as described in her LinkedIn bio: “… I am dedicated to building happy, thriving communities by creating meaningful experiences that bring people together…Being passionate about outdoor recreation, parks, and the arts, I believe in the power of these spaces to foster connection and personal development…What began as a career in community connection by happenstance has since become a lifelong commitment. I believe that creating connections and supporting individuals, especially in times of need, is not just a job—it’s a calling that continues to inspire and drive me every day.”
This is the kind of passion for community that’s so badly needed today when we are being torn apart by hate, insults, and violence. And that passion was evident in all the folks making this festival possible. That included East Ridge’s law enforcement. The police department’s presence was greatly needed in dealing with the incredible traffic generated by the festival. The department also had a booth where you could get information about the work of law enforcement and how it engages the community.
The officer at the booth stressed the mission of community interaction. He emphasized that this mission includes the goal of demonstrating, especially to young people, that they’re here to help. The officer and his cohorts want to be a positive role model for youngsters to follow. It’s vital that we should all inspire the younger generations to engage in community and care about its future. If we do not, ours and their future will look bleak and even more divided than we’re currently experiencing. So check out the many cultural events happening in our area in October: festivals, performances, concerts, sporting events, arts displays and workshops. Gather family and friends and enjoy!
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