Norris ‘Halloween Trail’ to be Oct. 25; other events planned for spooky time
Kids make a stop along the Norris Halloween Trail in October 2024. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
One of the most-popular local events, the sixth-annual Norris Halloween Trail will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, starting outside the Norris Community Center at 20 Chestnut Drive.
It’s described as a spooky tour for kids through the woods around the Norris Disc Golf Course, which is next to the Community Center.
This mild hike with Halloween-style decorations, treats and “spooky fun” will include more than 20 “stations” where kids can stop for an activity, including such spots as the “Haunted Doghouse.”
Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. There will be treats available, as well as food trucks in the parking lot.
The event is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required for the Halloween Trail, and can be done through the Norris Recreation Commission’s Facebook page or at NorrisHalloweenTrail.Eventbrite.com.
There were more than 500 participants and volunteers on the trail last year, the Recreation Commission said in a recent Facebook post.
“We are looking forward to providing another exciting and safe way to enjoy Halloween for children of all ages,” the post said. “The concept is that the kiddos will walk along the trail and be greeted by a ‘host’ at a variety of ‘treat stations’ along the trail. Children will receive candy or a special goody at each of these stations.”
The commission is still seeking “commissions, civic organizations, local businesses, school organizations, sport teams, families or individuals that would like to host a treat station along the trail.
n Rocky Top: Several local churches have joined to set up a Halloween “trunk-or-treat” event to be held from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the George Templin Memorial Field.
Zack Green, a former city councilman, and Jackie Byrge, children’s director at Rocky Top’s Main Street Baptist Church, planned the event, and got several churches to participate. Green is youth pastor at Andersonville First Baptist Church.
“People are welcome to come to participate in the trunk-or-treat, but they must set up before 5:30 p.m.,” Green said. “That’s for the safety of the kids who will be walking around during the event.”
n Oak Ridge: The Recreation and Parks Department will host the Children’s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
This annual event is expected to draw hundreds of children and their parents,
Activities will be held throughout the western fields of A.K. Bissell Park, including a hayride, weather permitting. Parking is available at the west parking area near the Recreation Center and on the east side near the Oak Ridge Library at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
To help ensure a smooth event, the west side parking area will be filled first. Traffic in front of the Recreation Center will flow in one direction exiting onto the Turnpike from the east side parking area.