Although Chattanooga garners millions of tourists yearly for its historic Walnut Street Bridge, various Tennessee River water activities, beautiful hiking trails and numerous other local hotspots, Chattanooga’s best-kept secret is Mainx24. Mainx24 is a 24-hour street festival held the first Saturday of December. Hosted by residents and businesses owners on Chattanooga’s Main Street and surrounding Southside, Mainx24 features a wide variety of activities such as the EPB MAINx24 Parade, World Heavyweight Chili Cook-Off, the Adult Big Wheel Race, an international food market, silent discos, and a fireworks display.
Q Strategies has been a proud sponsor of Mainx24 since 2016. This year, Kelly Allen, Q’s director of strategic communication, was the official spokesperson for the celebrations. Her goal was to spread the word about Chattanooga’s best-kept secret that more locals and tourists alike can join in on the party.
Starting by distributing several rounds of media releases to Chattanooga’s top publications months before the event, Allen successfully had the Times Free Press, NOOGAtoday, Chattanoogan and Chattanooga Pulse publish the announcements.
Times Free Press - MainX24: More than 150 events and 24 hours of partying on Chattanooga's Southside
NOOGAtoday - New events, schedule announced for annual Mainx24
Chattanoogan - More Than 150 Events Planned For MAINx24 Street Party
Chattanooga Pulse - Celebrating The Southside
As December 1 approached, Allen contacted TV and radio personalities to advertise Mainx24. She secured interviews with WRCBtv and WUTC radio to discuss the return of classic Mainx24 activities, as well as the new entertainments added to the list.
WRCBtv - 3 Plus Your Community
WUTC - Around and About
In addition to the media run, Allen and the Mainx24 committee secured the sponsorship of Social Lion for Mainx24. Social Lion is a creative and event marketing agency based in Chattanooga whose specialty is real-time social media engagement. The agency’s expertise in social media marketing was a boon for the 24-hour party, as they took charge in updating the public on the ongoing events in real time.
The next Mainx24 is December 7, 2019. If you are in Chattanooga at that time, stop by Main Street and take part in Chattanooga’s best-kept secret that is not so secret!