May 18, 2013
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- An anonymous donor has stepped up to fund insurance for the Bessie Smith Strut.
The board chairman of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center told the Chattanooga City Council he was nearly certain liability insurance could be obtained, now that a donor has pledged to pay for it.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported center Chairman Ian Overton told council members there would be an admission fee for what has previously been the free event.
Overton said the donor is also paying for about three miles of temporary fencing around Martin Luther King Boulevard. There will be three gates where patrons can enter.
The Strut honors blues singer Smith, who was born in Chattanooga.
