CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Will the Head of the Hooch leave Chattanooga after this year?
Since 2005, the Head of the Hooch regatta has brought thousands to the shores of the Tennessee River to compete in one of America’s largest rowing races.
However, their organizers say they are concerned about the ability of the Scenic City to host their 2027 edition as the Riverfront is set to be redeveloped.
Developers at the River City Company however say that there are other options.
Over the weekend, the President of the Head of the Hooch Regatta, Kerry Brown, wrote a letter that he posted to the event’s social media pages.
In that letter, he voiced concerns that without the regatta’s traditional location of Ross’s Landing as the launch point for rowers, they would be unable to host the 2027 edition here in Chattanooga.
Brown said in part, “The planned 18-month closure of the south shore during construction, combined with unresolved questions regarding access, staging areas, and event operations on both shores, creates significant uncertainty.”
Emily Mack, the President and CEO of River City Company, says that they believe there is an alternative that the Head of the Hooch Regatta could still be held in the city.
Mack said, “To help support the Head of the Hooch leadership, River City Company, and our partnership also engaged an expert firm called Kemper Sports to also help evaluate and develop a blueprint for the Head of the Hooch of how to accommodate them in 2027 and beyond.”
In Brown’s letter, he argues the north shore would not have the capacity to handle the event.
He said, “Analysis conducted to date indicates that the north shore alone cannot accommodate the regatta, while current south shore reconstruction plans would require modifications to ensure the event can continue successfully.”
However, in Kemper Sports’ analysis, they say that a 675 foot dock and launch area could handle that event, and that Head of the Hooch has had input on potential design changes.
Mack and Brown both say discussions about the 2027 event have been going on since 2023.
Mack said, “Large signature events have been a part of the entire design process…They have been a part of that design refinement, so we have actually made changes to the design to ensure that Chattanooga can continue to host Head of the Hooch.”
Brown said, “Our wish is to keep the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga and are encouraged by the conversations taking place. We hope the coming weeks bring clarity to the specific redesign so that we can commit to secure the regattas’ future here. With open communication, thoughtful planning, and timely action, Chattanooga can preserve this cherished tradition while continuing to invest in an even stronger riverfront for generations to come.”
Mack says that the Riverfront will begin that renovation later this year after this fall’s Head of the Hooch, and should reopen to the public by summer 2028.
