It's another beautiful fall in East Tennessee and that means the beginning of pumpkin spice lattes, hay rides, corn mazes, Halloween decorating, the beautiful fall foliage and all the fun fall festivals and events around East Tennessee. You won't want to miss out on this year's fun activities and events around the area!
1. FanBoy Expo's Halloween Weekend - Knoxville, TN (October 28-30)
Want to meet some of Hollywood's horror icons? Come to the Knoxville Convention Center to take pictures, get autographs, sit in on panels, attend the costume contest, shop til you drop and have lovely chats with actors, artists and musicians. This year's convention includes Derek Mears (Jason Voorhees), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Chris Sarandon (Jack Skellington), Kathy Najimy (the witch, Mary from" Hocus Pocus") and more.
2. 39th Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival - Erwin, TN ( October 7-8)
All you can eat apple cobbler, apple pie, apple dumplings, candied applies and a variety of fresh, crisp apples is what you can find at the Apple Festival. The event draws more than 110,000 annual attendees. This year will include over 350 arts and crafts vendors and an array of tournaments including a Corn Hole Tournament and Apple Dumpling Contest.
3. Jonesborough Storytelling Festival - Jonesborough, TN (October 7-9)
Visit Tennessee's oldest town and cozy up with a warm blanket beside the bonfire while listening to world famous storytellers like Donald Davis, Tim Lowry, Motoko and Bil Lep. Stories range from feel good adventures to spooky Halloween horrors.
4. Have a boo at one of these zoos - Brights Zoo, Knoxville Zoo and the Chattanooga Zoo (October)
Dress the little ones up as their favorite animal and bring them to the zoo for a fun evening of trick-or-treating, costume contests and animal watching. Beware of the lions, tigers and bears... Oh my!
5. Dollywood's National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration (September 30-October 29)
If you love autumn, handmade arts and crafts and free concerts then you don't want to miss out. Don't forget to ride the amazing roller coasters as well, or take a stroll looking at the beautiful fall scenery.
6. Frightmare Manor - Jefferson City, TN (September 20-November 5)
This attraction is not for the faint of heart. Known as the "Money Back Haunt" with five different attractions to visit with awards ranging from #1 Haunted Attraction in Tennessee to #6 Haunted House in the USA, you don't want to miss this wicked experience.
7. Fender's Farm - Johnson City, TN ( September 9 - October 31)
Don't get lost in the corn maze. Fenders Farm is an adventure for all ages with family fun laughter by day and screaming teens in terror by night. This year's theme is Operation Christmas Child. Besides taking part in the awesome corn maze, there is also a zip line, pumpkin patch and petting zoo for the little ones.
8. HoLa Festival - Knoxville, TN (October 1 and 2)
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with a colorful parade, loud music, fun dancing and delicious food...or should I say deliciosa?
9. Tennessee Oktoberfest - Kingsport, TN (October 1)
Enjoy the ever popular Wiener Dog races and award winning Craft Bier Garden. Try a variety of beers and authentic German food, as well.
10. Battle at Bristol - Bristol, TN (September 10)
Who's ready to see a sea of orange and maroon? The game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech will be played before the biggest college football crowd ever at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tickets are already sold out, but you can still make it out to talegate.
