You’re cordially invited to Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Clarence Darrow Dinner Party in Chattanooga on Thursday, July 13, celebrating the installation that day of a statue of the famed Scopes Trial litigator in Dayton, Tenn. The dinner party will be followed with the public dedication of the statue in Dayton on Friday. Dayton is about 40 miles from Chattanooga.
That Friday also marks the first day of the 29th annual Scopes Trial Play and Festival. You may wish to top off the day by going to the reenactment of the Scopes Trial play, performed annually in the historic court-house where the Scopes Trial took place in Dayton. The historic court-house and museum may be toured, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
Talented sculptor Zenos Frudakis (see story above) will give a short visual presentation at the dinner party and FFRF Co-President Dan Barker will entertain at the piano. Special guest will be Nicole Jacobsen, who grew up in Dayton and whose family members were the unnamed plaintiffs in FFRF’s federal lawsuit ending a legacy of the Scopes trial — weekly bible instruction in the public schools by bible students from William Jennings Bryan Bible College. FFRF and the brave family won the case at the district level and at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2004.
Register for Darrow Dinner Party now!
Registration per person is $45, which covers the “Southern Exposure Buffet,” 20 percent service charge and 9.25 percent state tax. See menu below. Registration will be cut off on Wed., July 5, or when capacity is reached.
Register online at ffrf.org/Darrowdinner. Or register by phone at: 800/335-4021 Central weekdays.
Courtesy hotel block – reserve now!
While rooms last, the Chattanoogan Hotel, 1201 Broad St., Chattanooga, Tenn., site of the dinner party, is holding a courtesy block of rooms on Thursday and Friday, July 13-14.
Make your own reservations, using the code “Clarence Darrow Party.” (FFRF’s event webpage, ffrf.org/Darrowdinner, will also link directly to the hotel registration while rooms last.) Register promptly to avoid disappointment. Other nearby hotels include the Marriot and Staybridge. The rate of $149 plus tax includes free WiFi.
Downtown Chattanooga has a lot of charm, offers attractions and easy walking, a variety of restaurants, an aquarium, a riverfront, an art district and pedestrian bridge.
Scopes Trial play tickets
Purchase tickets directly from the Tennessee Valley Theater at 423.365.PLAY (7529), Website: scopesfestival.com. (Tickets were not yet available for sale as of press time.) The play is conducted over two weekends, July 14-15 and July 22-23, at the Rhea County Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, TN 37321. Space is limited!
Reserve promptly to avoid disappointment.
Southern Exposure Dinner Buffet
$45 includes 20 percent service charge and 9.25 percent state tax
Confetti Cole Slaw
Three Bean Salad
Panzanella Salad (Chattanooga Sourdough)
Cajun Fried Turkey Breast, Blackened Turkey Gravy
Marinated Pork Shoulder, Carolina Clear BBQ
Slow Cooked Roast Beef, Pan Sauce
Classic Mac n’ Cheese with Aged Cheddar & Gruyère Cheese
Beer Braised Collards
Sweet Potato Mash with Brown
Sugar-Maple Butter & Pecans
Fried Green Tomato Slices, Roasted Red Pepper Chèvre Remoulade Cornbread Muffins, Honey Butter | Yeast Rolls | Biscuits
Includes coffee, tea, sweet tea, & desserts: Strawberry Short Cake | Banana Pudding | Fried Apple Pies | Pecan Pie
