Executive Insight

Everybody loves fall, cooler evenings, colorful leaves, and plenty of chances for families to make memories together. Here are some community events for the young and young of heart planned around Halloween. I hope to see you and your family out enjoying the season. Happy Fall, White County!

•East Sparta Church of God Fall Festival Oct. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hayride, candy, food, cake walk and bounce houses

•Superhero Chamber Trunk-or-treat, Thursday, October 23, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Bring the kids downtown in their favorite hero gear for a safe, festive trunk-or-treat hosted by our Chamber team. It’s an easy weeknight to kick off Halloween week.

•Quebeck/Walling Community Club Trail of Treats and Chili Supper Friday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m., 375 Quebeck Rd.

•Bon Air Bon Air Mountain Community Church, Oct. 24 trunk-or-treat, haunted pavilion from 6-8 p.m.

•Trunk-or-treat with Planes, Saturday, Oct 25, 3:30–7 p.m. Only in White County do you trick-or-treat next to airplanes, helicopters, and fire trucks. Head out to Upper Cumberland Regional Airport for candy, photo ops, and a close-up look at the aircraft that connect our region.

•Bear Cove Baptist Church Fall Festival Oct. 24, at 4 p.m., at the church. 1590 Country Club Road Sparta. There will be bounce houses, games, and food for the whole family

•White County Public Library will be having its Spooky Saturday event Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. Start with a puppet show and trick or treating at Sparta First United Methodist Church, then have a spooky science show presented by Mid South Labs in the front room of the Library. 23 N. Church St. and 11 N. Church St., in Sparta.

•BonDeCroft Volunteer Fire Department  8023 Crossville Hwy Saturday the 25th Haunted Forest on the Mountain, 5-9 p.m.  $5 admission. 5 years and under get in  FREE.

•Sparta First United Methodist Church will be having its Fall Festival & Halloween Party on Sunday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m. Grilled cheese and hot dogs, a costume contest for kids and adults, games, and door prizes. At 7 p.m., we will have trunk-or-treating. 23 North Church Street in Sparta.

•Community Fall Fun Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 4-8 p.m. Life Church is hosting an all-ages fall festival at the White County Agricultural Complex. Expect games, food, and plenty of family activities in a big open-air setting.

•Central Church of Christ Chili Supper and trunk-or-treat Oct. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 45 N. Main St.

•First Christian Church Trunk-or-treat, Friday, Oct. 31, late afternoon–evening

a Halloween-night trunk-or-treat at 109 Gaines St. Times may vary by activity, so check the host page as we get closer; either way, it’s a friendly, in-town option for families

•BonDeCroft Volunteer Fire Department 2nd night Oct. 31, 5-9 p.m. is doing our Halloween on the mountain, candy, chili, and costume contest

•Mountain Sno & Salads to Go handing out candy and free mini Mountain Snos to all children in costume from 5-7 on Friday, Oct. 31

•Hampton’s Crossroads Baptist Church Trunk-or-treat Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m., 109 Stallion Rd, Cookeville. Why walk the neighborhood when you can fill your bag in one spot? Our church parking lot will be full of decorated trunks, tons of candy, and family fun. A safe, exciting night for kids of all ages

•Blessed Hope Baptist Church is having a Drive thru trunk-or-treat on 10/31 @ 5pm you don’t have to get out of your car

•Halloween Late Skate Friday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m.-midnight. $15 fee Warrior Skate Center, 512 Industrial Dr.

See the White County Executive Facebook page for an updated list as information comes in and links for details. As you plan the week, remember a few simple safety tips: reflective tape or glow sticks help drivers see trick-or-treaters; cross at corners, not mid-block; and drivers, please slow down, especially around neighborhoods and event sites.

Thanks, D. W.