Head of the Hooch Regatta, Chattanooga, TN

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

If we hadn't cruised up the Tennessee River, we might never have discovered this lovely river town. Chattanooga has grown by leaps and bounds over the past dozen years, and it's been fun to see the changes.

This weekend, thousands of rowers descended on Chattanooga for the Head of the Hooch Regatta. I happened to be in town Saturday morning for my volunteer gig at the Tennessee Aquarium, which gave me a chance to get an early look at the event setup before the racing got underway.

According to the Head of the Hooch website at the time, 8,000 rowers and 20,000 spectators from around the country were expected to attend. The crowd seemed a little smaller to me than it did in 2019, the last time I watched the competition, when a friend’s son was one of the participants. Ironically, I used to live in both Philly and Boston, where thousands of rowers gather each fall for the Head of the Schuylkill and Head of the Charles, respectively, but I never once stopped to watch either race! Perhaps I was there a bit early this year. It was around 10:30 a.m. when I wandered among several vantage points, camera in hand, looking for good spots to photograph the action.

Spectators cheering on Walnut Street Bridge

The weather was certainly different this year. In 2019, it was very cold. This Saturday was cloudy, with rain showers expected later, but unseasonably warm, with temperatures hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s. Not exactly typical November weather, but certainly more comfortable for spectators!

Ross Landing

TN Aquarium celebrates its 30th anniversary this year

Earlier Saturday morning before the race

I’m sure the Head of the Hooch has helped put Chattanooga on the map, too. The popular rowing regatta moved to Chattanooga in 2005 after outgrowing its original venues on the Chattahoochee River and later Lake Lanier. The Tennessee River provided a spectacular downtown backdrop and room for the event to grow.

The 2026 Head of the Hooch is scheduled for November 7–8, but plans to redevelop Chattanooga’s downtown riverfront raised concerns about the regatta’s future. Construction at Ross’s Landing will temporarily close the south shore, creating logistical challenges for an event that draws rowers and spectators from across the country.

Fortunately, there’s good news! Organizers announced on October 8 that the regatta will remain in Chattanooga. In 2027, it’s expected to move across the river to the North Shore while construction continues at Ross’s Landing. I’m glad this exciting event will continue to call Chattanooga home!

If you haven't visited Chattanooga yet, perhaps this post will entice you to make the trip. It's an easy two-hour drive from both Atlanta and Nashville, making it a convenient getaway from either city.

With its beautiful riverfront, scenic surroundings, and plenty to see and do, Chattanooga is well worth a visit. And if you happen to be there when the Head of the Hooch is in town, be sure to take some time to watch the boats go by. It's quite a sight.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Happy Now.

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