By: Leif Bromme
On Nov. 3, the Collegedale Board of Commissioners granted planning rights to Charlotte Grace Events for the Collegedale Freedom Festival, a popular Independence Day celebration. Friends of the Festival, the former coordinator, has been replaced ahead of next year’s 250-year anniversary celebration, interrupting a multi-year partnership.
The Freedom Festival is typically held at The Commons on July 3, incorporating food trucks, children’s activities, musical performances and a firework display. The 2025 Festival included a pie-tasting contest, a presentation of the Quilts of Valor to local first responders and additional festivities at the Veterans Memorial Park. Past musical performances included the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra and singer Ricky Skaggs, according to The Chattanooga Times Free Press. At a recent Commission Meeting, Christina Clark, of the Collegedale Parks and Recreation Department, requested permission to grant planning rights for the upcoming Freedom Festival to Friends of the Festival. Though Friends of the Festival’s bid of $34,850 was over $10,000 more than Charlotte Grace Events’ $23,000 offer, she emphasized the importance of celebrating the significant milestone in America’s history with the appropriate festivities.
“With it being the 250th anniversary and the commission requesting a larger production, we’d like to provide [a coordinator familiar with] doing music festivals and being able to reach out and work with other musical acts,” Clark said.
While arguing that their experience with entertainment-forward events was superior, she also pointed out that the Friends of the Festival had no competing events on July 3. According to Clark, Charlotte Grace Events also has an event slated with Catusa County fireworks on July 3. According to News 12, Charlotte Grace Events coordinated a Banana Pudding contest last May, as well as other city events.
After Clark’s proposal, Commissioner Laura Howse brought to light festival complaints made the previous year. “The sound was entirely too loud,” she said. “Everyone on Heathwood and Glynn Downing could hear it.” Vice Mayor Tonya Sadler also raised issues with their marketing during the 2025 Freedom Festival.
“They had $7,500 for marketing and photography. We were charged that last year,” said Sadler. “Did you remember the graphic they used? It was terrible. I also don’t remember any other marketing done by the festival. Our own people had to promote it.”
Commissioner Debbie Baker argued in favor of the Friends of the Festival, trusting the results of their higher price point. “I’ve done this a long time,” she said. “You have a tendency to get what you pay for.”
As discussion continued, Baker also highlighted that the city received praise for last year’s festival, along with the complaints.
Charlotte Grace Events owners Tiffany and Jeff Miller attended the meeting Monday night and advocated for their bid. Responding to concerns about event conflicts, Jeff Miller said, “It’s simply a matter of having more staff. We will be hiring more folks to help that day, [and] we don’t foresee that as being an issue.”
Their comments and responses helped alleviate concerns about staff shortages and company capabilities.
“I have good faith in them,” Sadler said. “They showed up to a meeting that they probably weren’t invited to. They probably took it on themselves to look at the agenda.”
Howse ended the deliberation by making a motion. Although the motion was not seconded immediately, Sadler encouraged the board to consider the reservation window for vendors. “We’ll [only] have five food trucks if we wait,” she said.
After considering last year’s mixed reception, the higher price and the competing bidder’s encouraging proposal, the Board of Commissioners officially decided to counter Parks and Recreation’s recommendation and provide planning rights to Charlotte Grace Events.
Commissioner Johnson greeted the change with hesitance.
“Sometimes it’s just a little scary to change vendors,” he expressed.
Still, the Board of Commissioners looks forward to a vibrant Freedom Festival for America’s 250th birthday. Charlotte Grace Events’ proposal includes a patriotic photo booth, craft vendors and possibly a watermelon-eating contest—each a new attraction that Howse hopes will encourage Collegedale residents to show up for the celebration.
“I think the Freedom Festival will continue to have the small-town charm we all enjoy,” said Howse, “but with some fresh touches under Charlotte Grace’s coordination.”
