Campus organizations are gearing up for a host of fall- and Halloween-themed events. Everyone in the campus community is invited to these events unless otherwise noted, and most events welcome faculty and staff to bring their families.
Mark your calendar for these activities and events:
Advocates for Autism Fall Fest, 4-8 p.m. Friday, October 13, at the Humanities and Social Sciences Building Amphitheater. Enjoy a bake sale, pumpkin decorating, square dancing, and live music during this festival hosted by the Advocates for Autism student organization.
Friday the 13th Blackout Bash, 7-9 p.m. Friday, October 13, at Brown Residence Hall Lawn. Turn off your lights for the POWER Challenge hosted by the Office of Sustainability. The bash will offer pumpkin carving, free treats, cider and more. Students who attend will receive points toward their residence hall for the POWER Challenge. Prizes will also be given out to the winner of the pumpkin carving competition.
Barefoot Benefit 5K Race and Fall Festival, 12:30-3 p.m. Sunday, October 15, at Sequoyah Hills Park. Enjoy a fall festival or participate in the 5k or fun run during the Barefoot Benefit. The event is organized by students in the Haslam College of Business. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children 6 to 13 years old.
Bewitching Beasts, noon Saturday, October 21, at UT Gardens. Bats, raccoons, owls, possums, flying squirrels, and other nocturnal “beasts” come alive at night while we are sleeping. Learn about these elusive animals and insects. Children and parents are invited to dress in costumes, enjoy food-free trick or treating, and take part in arts and crafts, raffles, and demonstrations throughout the garden. Tickets are $6 and are required for children only.
The Local Concert Series featuring Peak Physique, Briston Maroney, and Demon Waffle, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, October 21, at the Brown Residence Hall Amphitheatre. The fall concert series will offer live music from local bands and free food. Bring your canines to participate in the dog costume contest for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Rhythm N’ Blooms festival.
Howl-O-Ween, 1–5 p.m. Sunday, October 22, at UT Gardens. The Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo includes a judged costume parade with prizes and an expo of educational booths, pet businesses, and rescue groups. East Tennessee Spay and Neuter will be onsite with their Critter Care Cruiser and will be conducting a pet food drive. The event is free to attend, but there is a fee to participate in the parade. Parade registration and more event details can be found online.
National Residence Hall Honorary and United Residence Hall Council Trunk or Treat, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, in Circle Park. The National Residence Hall Honorary invites you to participate in this year’s Trunk or Treat. A tradition here on campus, Trunk or Treat provides the opportunity for children and their families in the Knoxville community to trick-or-treat in a safe environment while enjoying free food, games, and music.
Buggy Buffet, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 26, in Hollingsworth Auditorium in Ellington Plant Sciences Building. The event, free and open to the public, is hosted by students in the A Bug’s Life FYS 129 course in conjunction with the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Snack on some creepy crawlers including bugs-on-a-log, cricket cornucopia trail mix, mealworm wontons, pasta inspect surprise, chocolate chirp cookies, and banana bug smoothies. A silent auction will also be held.
Pumpkin Drop, 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, October 27, McClung Plaza beside Humanities and Social Sciences Building. The event will feature live music, food, activities hosted by student organizations, and a costume contest that will offer prizes to winners. Watch the finale event as event organizers drop pumpkins that have been frozen in liquid nitrogen off of a lift. The event is hosted by UT’s Society of Physics Students.
Halloween Dance Party, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, October 27, at Baptist Collegiate Ministry, 1811 Melrose Avenue. Stop by the party and participate in the costume and dance contests. Winners will be awarded prizes. The event is hosted by the International House, Bridges International, and Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 27, in HPER. Grab your friends and enjoy this free showing of the interactive classic film with a live shadow cast performance. Shadow casts are fans who act out the entire movie below or in front of the movie screen. For more info, call 974-5455. This is a student event. The event is free for opted-in students and $5 (cash only at the door) for opted-out students.
VOLoween, 6:30–8 p.m. Monday, October 30, at the Neyland-Thompson Center indoor practice field. Faculty, staff, and their families are invited to attend the free event. There will be games and trick-or-treating fun for the entire family, sponsored by UT Athletics.
Treat Yo Self, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, at Torchbearer Plaza in Circle Park. Stop by this event for trick-or-treating on campus, hosted by the Student Homecoming Committee.
Are we missing an event your UT-affiliated organization is hosting? Let us know!