Chickamauga, GA – Thousands of visitors will converge on Walker County this weekend to experience a popular triathlon, along with music, dancing, artisan demonstrations and a car show.

This year’s Ironman 70.3 event will follow Down Home Days in Chickamauga.

The Chickamauga Lions Club kicks off the weekend with the kid friendly festival on Saturday, May 19th. The event begins with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Chickamauga Masonic Temple, located at 106 Cove Road. A farmer’s market, yoga at the Gordon Lee Mansion and a cruise-in get underway shortly thereafter.

Down Home Days will also feature nearly 90 vendors lining the streets of downtown Chickamauga. Parades, children’s game and live music highlight the street party, as well. Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. until at least 5 p.m., while entertainment will runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

As the sun rises on Sunday, May 20th, thousands of triathletes will test their metal in the Ironman 70.3 competition. The bike course runs through Walker County and residents are encouraged to review the areas that will be impacted while cyclists trek through an area awarded the 2017 Athletes Choice Award for Best Overall Bike course in 2017.

The race begins at 6:50 a.m. in Chattanooga, but race organizers warn roads in Walker County along the course could encounter delays between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. The areas at greatest risk of delays are Hwy. 193 at Hwy. 341, Hwy. 136 at Hwy. 193 and Hwy. 136 at Hwy. 341.

Walker County residents interested in watching the race are encouraged to line the streets of downtown Chickamauga, where the first cyclists are expected to start passing through around 10 a.m.

FAST FACT: Did you know, nearly 30 Walker County residents competed in an Ironman Chattanooga event last year? That’s nearly three times as many local competitors since 2015!