Finally, it's Halloween weekend - time to unveil those carefully-thought-out costumes and take the kids trick-or-treating!
But - not sure where to go? There are a number of kid-friendly events around town that your little ghost or ghoul will enjoy. Among them:
Downtown Trick or Treating - today through Monday, Oct. 31
Parents can bring their children to various businesses downtown to trick or treat. You can find a list of participants at downtownknoxville.org.
Tennessee Theatre, “Costumes and Classic Cartoons” - Saturday, Oct. 29
The Tennessee Theatre invites all children 12 and under to dress up in their favorite family-friendly costume and watch Looney Tunes. The event is from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.
Star 102.1 Trick or Treat Trail - Sunday, Oct. 30
This event, from 1-4 p.m., will be at Mary Costa Plaza at the Civic Coliseum. There's a contest for ages 0-12, starting at 1 p.m. The first 400 kids get a free trick or treat trail bag! There will also be a $1 raffle with prizes that include tickets to Dollywood.
Ijams Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct. 30
From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the whole family can enjoy hikes, crafts, storytelling and various exciting activities.
Knoxville Center Mall Wide Trick or Treating and Costume Contest - Monday, Oct. 31
From 5:30-8 p.m., children 12 and under can enjoy some indoor trick or treating. Participating stores will have pumpkins inside the windows.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of events for older kids and/or adults, including:
Young-Williams Animal Center's Howl-O-Ween Bash - Tonight (Oct. 28)
Join the Animal Center for its second annual Howl-O-Ween bash, from 7:30-11 p.m., at the Jackson Terminal, 213 W. Jackson Ave. There will be live music by The Coveralls, a costume contest, a taco bar, moonshine tastings, wine, beer, and some howling surprises. Tickets are $45; visit https://www.paypal.me/YoungWilliams or http://www.young-williams.org/http://www.young-williams.org/ for more information.
6th Annual HearthScares Ball - Tonight (Oct. 28)
Spooky surprises await you at James White's Fort this evening. The Fort will be transformed into a scary Halloween venue for an evening of dancing. Come dressed in your most impressive costume! The event includes dancing, frightening finger foods, a silent auction, a costume contest and other Halloween hijinks. Proceeds benefit preservation at James White’s Fort. Must be 21 or over to attend. Tickets to the 7-10 p.m. party are $75.
HearthScares Tour, James White’s Fort - Saturday, Oct. 29
Starting at 7 p.m., take a walking tour of Knoxville’s scariest landmarks. Please plan to arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. for check in. Each tour will end with a marshmallow roast around the fires at the Fort. Admission: adults 16 and over, $10; children ages 6-15, $6. Reservations are requested for large groups of 12 or more and may be made by calling the Fort at 865-525–6514.
Meanwhile, the Knoxville Fire and Police Departments have plenty of Halloween common-sense safety tips:
A midnight curfew applies to all minors.
Trick-or-treaters should stay within their neighborhood and only visit homes that the family knows, or attend a church-organized event instead of going door-to-door. An adult or older sibling should accompany younger children, or they should travel in groups for safety.
Parents, instruct your children not to go into homes or apartments. And advise children to accept only sealed treats and not to eat any treats until you examine them at home.
Turn your porch lights on if you'd like to welcome trick or treaters; turn your porch lights off if you do not want visits from trick or treaters.
For fire safety, use a small flashlight or a glow stick to light a jack-o-lantern, rather than a candle. Costumes should be flame-retardant.
To see the full list of safety do's and don'ts, click HERE.
- Communications intern Tyler Cookston