Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge has Children’s Halloween Party on Oct. 26

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A hay ride at the Children's Halloween Party in Oak Ridge in 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A hay ride at the Children’s Halloween Party in Oak Ridge in 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, October 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This annual event is now in its 35th year and will be attended by hundreds of local children and their parents, a press release said. Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor a game booth for the party. Sponsors will supply two to four volunteers to operate the game throughout the evening. The Recreation and Parks Department will provide the games and prizes unless sponsors wish to provide their own, the press release said. Games should be appropriate for children age 10 and under. Applications can be emailed or picked up at the Civic Center front desk. [Read more…]

Celebrate summer with music in the park on Aug. 6

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Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

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After a very successful concert on July 4 before a large and amazing audience who stayed even through the rain showers, the Oak Ridge Community Band is currently rehearsing for its third concert of the summer to be held on Sunday evening, August 6, at A.K. Bissell Park.

Beginning at 7 p.m. that day, the Community Band will perform a “Touch of Latin”program, which will also include some swing, jazz, and show tunes. There is no admission fee for the summer concerts, although donations are gratefully accepted to help with community band expenses.

The public is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will provide refreshments. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival includes free concerts, art show, other activities this weekend

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Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, 2017, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge. (Photo and caption courtesy Celebrate Oak Ridge and Carolyn Krause)

Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, 2017, mostly at A.K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge. (Photo and caption courtesy Celebrate Oak Ridge and Carolyn Krause)

 

The Secret City Festival features free concerts and other activities at Alvin K. Bissell Park this weekend. Organizers have posted an entertainment schedule for both days, which is printed below.

Organizers said parking is available at the west end of the park (enter via Badger Road), Oak Ridge High School, First Methodist Church, and various paid lots around town. Accessible parking is available at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

The TN Creates Juried Art Show begins at 10 a.m. daily in the Shep Lauter Room at the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and all other festival activities begin at 2 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday, organizers said. Admission is free.

There are free water stations throughout the park and water and other drinks are available for purchase via vendors, organizers said. There are food vendors at the festival, and “we have plenty of cold beer and moonshine cocktails ready to go,” organizers said.

Other activities include a petting zoo, wildlife encounter, Home Depot area, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Traveling Science Fair, according to an event map, which is included below.

Here’s the entertainment schedule for Friday and Saturday: [Read more…]

Secret City Festival: Seven days of celebration

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Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, 2017, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge. (Photo and caption courtesy Celebrate Oak Ridge and Carolyn Krause)

Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, 2017, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge. (Photo and caption courtesy Celebrate Oak Ridge and Carolyn Krause)

 

Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge.

The new Secret City Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends. The first weekend will celebrate Oak Ridge and World War II history. A free family movie will be shown on Tuesday, June 6; the arts will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 7; and music and art are the focus of the second weekend, June 9-10.

Celebrate Oak Ridge June 2017 Schedule Web

On Friday, June 2, tours of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with shuttles running to and from the American Museum of Science and Energy and New Hope Center. U.S. citizenship and pre-registration are required for tours. Graphite Reactor tours at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will also be held then on a first-come, first-served basis, with departure on buses from AMSE.

Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch will officially open the festival, and the crew of the U.S.S. Oak Ridge will present and ring the U.S.S. Oak Ridge bell at 8:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” will be shown free of charge.

Overnight, approximately 200 re-enactors will be setting up an overnight encampment with World War II-era tents in Bissell Park. [Read more…]

Community Band concert will honor veterans on Memorial Day

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Lettie Andrade De La Torre

Lettie Andrade De La Torre

 

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Not only is Memorial Day an opportunity to salute our veterans and military personnel, it is often considered the “unofficial” beginning of the summer. In celebration of this holiday, the Oak Ridge Community Band will perform its Memorial Day concert on Monday, May 29. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park, and there is no admission fee, although donations are gratefully appreciated to help offset band expenses.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating around the Performing Arts Pavilion, and Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will continue its tradition of providing refreshments during the concert. This concert is an excellent way for area residents, families, and friends to end the Memorial Day holiday weekend and have the opportunity to honor the men and women who have served in the military to maintain our freedom, a press release said. [Read more…]

Reminder: Egg Hunt is Saturday in A.K. Bissell Park

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A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Reminder: The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in Alvin K. Bissell Park with a first-, second-, and third-place prize egg in each age group.

This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather, the press release said. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and a drawing will be held for the prizes.

Participants should arrive early and assemble in the Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. The children will be divided into separate age groups and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. The hunt is targeted for children age four through fourth grade. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs donate $10,000 to Friendship Bell project

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oak-ridge-rotary-clubs-donate-to-oak-ridge-friendship-bell-nov-17-2016

Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs announced on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, a $10,000 donation to the project to rebuild the pavilion for the International Friendship Bell and relocate it at Alvin K. Bissell Park. From left are Devrin Kuipers, president of Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; Jennifer Campbell, president of Oak Ridge Rotary Club; Emily Jernigan, president of Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club; and Pat Postma and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs announced Thursday that they are donating $10,000 to the project to build a new Peace Pavilion to house the International Friendship Bell at a new location in Oak Ridge’s Alvin K. Bissell Park.

The donation was announced by Devrin Kuipers, president of Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; Jennifer Campbell, president of Oak Ridge Rotary Club; and Emily Jernigan, president of Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. It was accepted by Pat Postma and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee.

The check presentation was the start of a public campaign to raise $750,000 for the project. A total of $416,000, or more than half the money, has either already been raised or pledged.

Also Thursday, UT-Battelle announced a $150,000 donation to the project. [Read more…]

Today: Celebrate summer with music, dance at Community Band concert

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Oak Ridge Community Band Summer 2016

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at a concert in the summer of 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band has its third concert of the summer today (Sunday, August 7) at A.K. Bissell Park. The concert starts at 7 p.m.

This concert follows a very successful concert before a large crowd on July 4, a press release said.

Today’s concert will be extra special as the program “Celebrate Summer with Music and Dance” will feature a variety of music and guest vocalists Lettie Andrade De La Torre and Brandon Gibson, trumpet soloist Tim Michaels, percussionist Bill Burkhart, and dancers from the Knoxville Swing Dance Association and from the SalsaKnox Dance Company, the press release said.

The concert is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy refreshments from Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab, the press release said. [Read more…]

Baby’s Best Fest celebrates World Breastfeeding Month

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Best-Fest-2015-Group

Community members gather to show their support for breastfeeding during the 2015 Baby’s Best Fest. This year’s event will take place on Aug. 4 at the A.K. Bissell Park playground. (Photo by MMC)

 

By Kelly Goodman/Covenant Health

Like ice cream and a summer day, some things are just made for each other. That’s how we feel about breastfeeding. Breast milk is made especially for babies, and the staff at Methodist Medical Center and the Family Birthing Center want to encourage all new mothers to consider breastfeeding for your baby’s best health and development.

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Month, Methodist Medical Center, the Anderson County Health Department, and La Leche League will host Baby’s Best Fest, a free event featuring a family ice cream social, children’s activities, community resources, and more. Baby’s Best Fest will take place Thursday, August 4, from 6-7 p.m. at the A.K. Bissell Park Playground, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Breastfeeding is about making it work for you and your baby for an extended time,” says Cher Stallings (RN, BSN, IBCLC, CCE), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in the Family Birthing Center at Methodist Medical Center. “So many mothers start out breastfeeding, but as they return to work or get caught up in a busy home life, they may give up breastfeeding earlier than they would ideally like. For some women, it’s a lack of support from family. For others, it’s a lack of tools or knowledge.” [Read more…]

Reminder: Oak Ridge celebrates July 4 with fireworks at A.K. Bissell Park

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July 4, 2012 Fireworks

The Independence Day fireworks show in Oak Ridge has been scheduled for 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at A.K. Bissell Park. (File photo by Charles Samuels)

 

Reminder: Oak Ridge will celebrate July 4 with fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The fireworks display, which is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, will start at 10 p.m. Monday, July 4.

The fireworks will be accompanied by music played live at the park by Merle 96.7 FM. Radio host Jack Ryan will be transmitting live from the park beginning at 6 p.m. and will conclude the live broadcast with a patriotic medley as the fireworks are shot, a press release said. The countdown to the fireworks begins at 9:30 p.m. Listeners can tune their radios to 96.7 Merle FM and enjoy the show.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform its annual Fourth of July concert at the A.K. Bissell Park Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The best view of the show will be from the east end of Bissell Park, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band concert, fireworks on July 4

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Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in July 4 Concert

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above during the July 4, 2014, concert. (Photo by Larry Perry)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will have its annual Independence Day concert at A.K. Bissell Park on Monday evening, July 4. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be followed by the city’s annual fireworks show, which starts at 10 p.m.

“Oak Ridgers and area residents who are looking for a great way to celebrate the July 4 holiday on a ‘high note’ should be making plans to attend,” a press release said. “This year’s July 4 concert marks the 72nd anniversary of the Community Band’s first concert, which was held on July 4, 1944, in the historic Jackson Square area of town. Large crowds are expected on Monday evening, so come early, bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy the music and fireworks!”

There is no admission fee for the concert. However, donations are welcomed to help offset band expenses, the press release said. Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will be in the park to help people stay “cool” with refreshments. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge celebrates July 4 with fireworks at A.K. Bissell Park

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July 4, 2012 Fireworks

The Independence Day fireworks show in Oak Ridge has been scheduled for 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at A.K. Bissell Park. (File photo by Charles Samuels)

 

Oak Ridge will celebrate July 4 with fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The fireworks display, which is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, will start at 10 p.m. Monday, July 4.

The fireworks will be accompanied by music played live at the park by Merle 96.7 FM. Radio host Jack Ryan will be transmitting live from the park beginning at 6 p.m. and will conclude the live broadcast with a patriotic medley as the fireworks are shot, a press release said. The countdown to the fireworks begins at 9:30 p.m. Listeners can tune their radios to 96.7 Merle FM and enjoy the show.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform its annual Fourth of July concert at the A.K. Bissell Park Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The best view of the show will be from the east end of Bissell Park, the press release said.

Please note: [Read more…]