🍁 Just a little town with jack-o’-lanterns underground...

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Somewhere between the candy trails and the costumed dogs, this newsletter crossed 10,000 subscribers. That’s not a fancy number to us, it’s a reminder that people here still care about showing up, looking around, and staying connected.

So thank you. For reading, for leaving comments, and for telling your friends!

We’ve packed this issue with Halloweekend plans, local faces (and paws), and just enough mischief. Hope you find something worth putting on the calendar.

🎃 A Highland Haunt in the Old City

Where live fiddles meet fright-night cocktails, Boyd’s Jig & Reel is raising a glass to spooky season with a lineup of eerie elixirs (Class of Nuke ’Em Highball, Ghoul Mule, and Manghost Margarita) each more spirited than the last.

This Scottish pub hums nightly with live tunes, laughter, and the scent of fish & chips and steak & ale pie in the air. Come for the hauntingly good drinks, stay for the fiddle and the firelight. Sláinte! Learn more here.

🍬 Sweet Treats, Underground Beats

There’s nothing quite like Halloween inside the Cherokee Caverns. Trick or Treat in the Cave runs Oct 24th–26th, where kids can wander the glowing cave trail collecting candy among stalactites, meet the Ghostbusters and Ecto-1, and sip cocoa by the campfire.

The cave stays a cool 58 degrees year-round and hosts movie nights, concerts, and tours that show off Knoxville’s hidden underground wonder. Learn more here.

🐾 Knoxville’s Shop Pets Steal the Spotlight

The Gist: Walk into Monkey’s Bar downtown and you’ll be met by Monkey himself, a golden retriever who won’t let you pass without a good scratch behind the ears. At Lincoln’s Hemp Collective, rescue pups Lincoln and Zuzu greet visitors like old friends. Nostalgia’s tuxedo cats, Oscar and Felix, have been holding court among vintage treasures for 13 years, while Union Ave Books’ fluffy greeter, Scout, still trots up to every customer who walks through the door.

Why It Matters: These local shop pets remind us why Knoxville’s small businesses feel like home. Read more here.

🚧 Rolling Roadblocks on Alcoa Highway This Week

The Gist: Drivers along Alcoa Highway should expect short rolling roadblocks between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail through Saturday, Oct. 25. Crews are moving heavy equipment and doing rock excavation, which means 20-minute traffic holds between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Why It Matters: These safety slowdowns help protect workers while keeping this busy route toward the airport and UT Medical Center on track for improvements.
Read more here.

Say hello to Bay, a sprightly little tabby with a heart full of curiosity. 

At just six months old, this Domestic Short Hair mix already knows how to win hearts with his playful leaps and soft, contented purrs. Bay is neutered, vaccinated, and ready to settle into a cozy Knoxville home of his own. He’s small in size but big on sweetness.

To learn more about this adorable fellow, click HERE.

🎃 Free Trunk or Treat | Stephen Strouss Taekwondo | Knoxville | 10/25 | More
Prepare for games, candy, face painting & local vendors: costumes encouraged!

👻 Monsters at the Museum | East Tennessee History Center | Knoxville | 10/25 | More
Step into spooky Appalachian lore with crafts, trick-or-treating, and family fun.

🎭 Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade & Pet Expo | UT Gardens | Knoxville | 10/26 | More
Creative canine costumes, local pet vendors, and a charity pet food drive.

🧙‍♀️ Trick or Treat Trails | Ancient Lore Village | Knoxville | 10/30–10/31 | More
Step into a storybook Halloween where kids and grown-ups in costume can explore.

🐾 Wicked Cool Cats Hunt | Various Spots Downtown | Knoxville | Until 10/31 | More
A free, family-friendly scavenger hunt featuring clever cat clues, hidden spots, and prizes!

💲💲 A Night at the Speakeasy Gala | Bridgewater Place | Knoxville | 10/24 | More
A glamorous evening of jazz, fine dining, and fundraising for animal rescue.

🎤 Women’s Equality Summit | World’s Fair Park | Knoxville | 10/24–10/26 | More
Celebrate women’s power and potential with global speakers and local partners.

🛍️ Spooky Saturday Market Bash | Southern Market | Knoxville | 10/25 | More
Shop, snack, and show off your Halloween style: costume contest, gifts, and photo ops!

🐾 Tails on Trails Festival 2025 | Baker Creek Preserve | Knoxville | 10/25 | More
Hike, honor, and help pets in need; enjoy vendors, Golden Paw Awards, and more.

🚴‍♀️ Spooky Night Bike | Ijams Nature Center | Knoxville | 10/29 | More
Join a 5-mile guided night ride: history, nature, and a touch of Halloween magic.

🎃 Halloweekend Drag Kickoff | Printshop Beer Co. | Knoxville | 10/30 | More
A dazzling night of drag, music, and mischief to launch the weekend in fabulous style.

If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.