🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Flashlight Night at Oaklands Mansion, a Veterans Pow Wow in Evensville and Bald Eagles on Lake Guntersville

Or: Paint a Pumpkin by the River, Build Something Wonderful With the Grandkids, Hike Under a Moonless Sky and Tap Your Toes to Mountain Bluegrass — Seven New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Here’s batch number thirty of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This round runs from this weekend all the way to next spring: a self-guided Flashlight Night inside Murfreesboro’s historic Oaklands Mansion, a Pumpkin Painting Party down the road in Jasper, UTC’s free hands-on STEAMagination festival in Chattanooga, a New Moon star hike at Harrison Bay State Park, the Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow in Evensville, Lake Guntersville’s Eagle Awareness Weekends this winter, and Etowah’s Cousin Jake Tullock Bluegrass Festival in March.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Fri., Oct. 16, 6–9 p.m. Central: Flashlight Night, Oaklands Mansion, Murfreesboro. $20 adults, $10 ages 6–11, 5 and under free.
• Sat., Oct. 17, noon–2 p.m. Central: Pumpkin Painting Party, Marion County Park, Jasper. Cost not listed.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern (9 a.m.–noon our time): STEAMagination, UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center, Chattanooga. Free.
• Tue., Nov. 10, 8–9 p.m. Eastern (7–8 p.m. our time): Signs in the Stars Guided Night Hike, Harrison Bay State Park.
• Sat.–Sun., Nov. 14–15, Eastern: Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow, Rhea County Fairgrounds, Evensville. Grand Entry noon Eastern both days.
• Jan. 29–31 and Feb. 12–14, 2027, Central: Eagle Awareness Weekends, Lake Guntersville State Park. Day passes $25 adults, $12.50 kids 10 and under.
• Fri.–Sat., March 5–6, 2027, Eastern: Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival, Gem Theater, Etowah.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: this batch is split between two clocks. Murfreesboro, Jasper and Guntersville run on Central Time, same as Dunlap. Chattanooga, Harrison Bay, Evensville and Etowah run on Eastern Time, one hour ahead. For those four, subtract an hour to get Dunlap time. Write it on the calendar the way you’ll read it at 5 a.m.: “9 a.m. OUR time” beats “10 a.m. Eastern” every time.

🔦 Tour a Victorian Mansion After Dark, Flashlight in Hand, at Oaklands

Here’s something you don’t get to do every day: walk through a historic mansion at night with nothing but your own flashlight. For one evening only, Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro opens its doors after dark for Flashlight Night. The house will be dressed for the Halloween season and in the fashion of Victorian mourning customs, so you’ll find curious old objects and traditions tucked in dim parlors and corners. It’s a self-guided tour, and everyone gets a scavenger hunt at the door, with a prize for finishing it. Afterward, if you like, take a stroll on the softly lit wetland trails to see the dark reflections of Maney Spring.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fri., Oct. 16, 2026, 6–9 p.m. Central (same as Dunlap time).
• Where: Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (the mansion’s own office lists 901 N. Maney Ave.; both point to the same grounds).
• How far: About 75–80 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes, by way of McMinnville and Woodbury or by Monteagle and I-24. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $20 adults (ages 12 and up), $10 students ages 6–11, children 5 and under free.
• Who’ll love it: History lovers, scavenger-hunt kids, homeschool families and anybody who’s always wanted to see an old house by lamplight.
• Good to know: The organizers call it appropriate for all ages, but spots are limited, so call ahead (615-893-0022). Bring your own flashlight. It’s a Friday night, so leave the Valley by about 4 p.m. to beat the Murfreesboro traffic.

👉 Read more (Flashlight Night at Oaklands Mansion — Main Street Murfreesboro)

🎃 Paint a Pumpkin by the River at Marion County Park

Not every good outing needs a long drive. Just down TN-28, Marion County is hosting a Pumpkin Painting Party at Marion County Park in Jasper. It’s simple, old-fashioned fall fun: grab a brush, pick your colors and make your porch pumpkin a one-of-a-kind. It’s a fine little Saturday outing for the young ones, and you’ll be home by mid-afternoon.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, noon–2 p.m. Central (same as Dunlap time).
• Where: Marion County Park, 9696 Hwy. 41, Jasper, TN 37347.
• How far: About 25–35 miles, roughly 35–45 minutes, south on TN-28 through Whitwell. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The county’s event listing doesn’t post a price or say whether pumpkins and paint are provided, so check before you go by calling the county mayor’s office at 423-942-2552.
• Who’ll love it: Little artists, grandparents with grandkids in tow, and anybody who’d rather paint a pumpkin than carve one.
• Good to know: Paint and pumpkins mean smocks or old clothes. Bring wipes and a box or towel for the ride home so wet paint doesn’t end up on the car seat.

👉 Read more (County Events — Marion County, Tennessee)

🔬 Build, Tinker and Wonder Together at UTC’s Free STEAMagination Festival

The UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center in Chattanooga is throwing its 4th annual STEAMagination festival, a free community day that makes science, technology, engineering, arts and math feel like play. Families move from table to table for hands-on activities, live demonstrations, giveaways and team projects, many of them easy to repeat at home with things you already have. Event listings also mention shuttle-simulator tours at the Challenger Center, a real treat for a young space fan.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern. That’s 9 a.m.–noon Dunlap time.
• Where: UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center, Chattanooga. The event calendar lists 755 E. 5th St.; UTC’s center page lists 755 Mocs Alumni Drive. They’re the same building on the UTC campus, but set your map app ahead of time.
• How far: About 35 miles, roughly 45–50 minutes, by way of TN-111 and U.S. 27. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission and free campus parking.
• Who’ll love it: Kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, the parents and grandparents who bring them, teachers and homeschool families, and grown-ups who still love taking things apart to see how they work.
• Good to know: It’s a short, three-hour event, and it starts at 9 a.m. our time. Leave the Valley by about 8 to get the most out of the morning.

👉 Read more (STEAMagination! — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

✨ Hike Under a Moonless Sky and Hear the Stories in the Stars at Harrison Bay

When there’s no moon, the stars come out to play, and rangers at Harrison Bay State Park on Chickamauga Lake are leading a guided New Moon hike to make the most of it. The Signs in the Stars Guided Night Hike explores how ancient astronomers read the night sky and how their stargazing shaped the way we understand the universe and ourselves. It’s a calm, quiet hour outdoors, the kind of evening that sticks with a child for years.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Tue., Nov. 10, 2026, 8–9 p.m. Eastern. That’s 7–8 p.m. Dunlap time.
• Where: Harrison Bay State Park, 8411 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison, TN 37341.
• How far: About 45–50 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of TN-111, Hixson, TN-153 and TN-58. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The park’s listing doesn’t post a price or say whether you need to sign up, so check before you go with Tennessee State Parks at 1-888-867-2757 or the park’s events page.
• Who’ll love it: Stargazers, Scouts, curious kids old enough for an evening walk, and anyone who’s ever looked up and wondered.
• Good to know: It’s a Tuesday night, so plan on getting home around 9 p.m. Dunlap time. Bring a jacket, sturdy shoes and a flashlight with a red filter or red light if you have one; it keeps your night vision sharp. The park notes that schedules can change, so call before you head out.

👉 Read more (Signs in the Stars Guided Night Hike — Tennessee State Parks)

🪶 Watch the Grand Entry at the Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow in Evensville

Every November, the Rhea County Fairgrounds in Evensville fills with the sound of drums for the Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow. It’s a non-competition intertribal pow wow, meaning the dancing is about celebration and community, not prizes. The highlight is the Grand Entry at noon each day, the ceremonial opening when the dancers enter the circle together. You’ll also find drumming, specialty dances, Native flute players, storytellers, craft vendors and food, and the event honors veterans, first responders and teachers along the way.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 15, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., all Eastern Time. Grand Entry is at noon Eastern (11 a.m. Dunlap time) both days.
• Where: Rhea County Fairgrounds, Harold Robbins Lane, Evensville, TN, just north of Dayton.
• How far: About 45–55 miles, roughly 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes, by way of Pikeville and TN-30 over the mountain to Dayton, then north on U.S. 27. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Our earlier Dunlap.Today preview listed $7 general admission, children under 10 free, and free admission for veterans, police, firefighters, EMTs and teachers with ID. The pow wow calendar listing doesn’t post prices, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Veterans and their families, history-minded kids, folks who love handmade crafts, and anybody who wants to feel the drumbeat in their chest.
• Good to know: Pow wows have their own etiquette: stand during the Grand Entry, listen to the emcee, and ask before taking photos of dancers in regalia. Bring a folding chair and cash for vendors. Contact listed: 423-716-8316.

👉 Read more (Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow 2026 — Pow Wow Calendar)

🦅 See Wild Bald Eagles Up Close at Lake Guntersville’s Eagle Awareness Weekends

Mark this one for the coldest part of winter, because that’s when bald eagles gather along the Tennessee River. For more than 40 years, birders and families have headed to Lake Guntersville State Park for Eagle Awareness, a tradition that began in 1985 alongside Alabama’s bald eagle restoration program. Each weekend brings guided eagle-watching excursions to roosting and fishing spots, guided birding tours, live birds-of-prey demonstrations with hawks and owls, naturalists on hand all weekend, a Friday evening social and a Saturday banquet with a keynote speaker.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Two weekends: Jan. 29–31, 2027 and Feb. 12–14, 2027, on Central Time (same as Dunlap). The full schedule and speakers are “coming soon,” so check before you go for exact times.
• Where: Lake Guntersville State Park and The Lodge at Lake Guntersville, 1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976.
• How far: About 90–95 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours, by way of Jasper, U.S. 72 and Scottsboro. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Day passes: $25 adults, $12.50 children 10 and under. Overnight packages start at $379 (single queen room) or $449 (double queen); banquet tickets are sold separately.
• Who’ll love it: Bird watchers, photographers, young nature lovers (the live bird shows are a kid favorite) and anyone who has never seen a wild bald eagle.
• Good to know: No birding experience needed; guides help everyone spot what’s out there. Reservations and information now go through The Lodge at Lake Guntersville, 1-888-611-5253. Eagle watches start early and lakeside mornings are cold, so dress in layers and bring binoculars.

👉 Read more (Eagle Awareness Weekends — The Lodge at Lake Guntersville)

🪕 Tap Your Toes to Mountain Bluegrass at Etowah’s Cousin Jake Tullock Festival

Here’s one to put on next spring’s calendar now. For more than three decades, the little railroad town of Etowah has honored Cousin Jake Tullock, a beloved East Tennessee bass player, storyteller and goodwill ambassador for bluegrass, with a festival at the historic Gem Theater. This year’s festival brought a free Friday-night concert, a full Saturday of bands on the Gem’s stage and an easygoing “Pickin’ at the Depot” jam, with food trucks out front. The 2027 dates are set, and organizers say the schedule and tickets will come later.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fri.–Sat., March 5–6, 2027, on Eastern Time (subtract an hour for Dunlap time). The Tennessee Overhill calendar shows 10 a.m.–10 p.m. both days, but the full schedule isn’t out yet, so check before you go.
• Where: Gem Theater, 700 Tennessee Ave., Etowah, TN.
• How far: About 95–100 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Pikeville, Dayton and Athens on TN-30, or by Chattanooga and I-75. Right at our 100-mile line. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: 2027 prices aren’t posted yet. For reference, in 2026 the Friday concert was free and Saturday admission was $10, kids under 12 free. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Bluegrass fans, pickers who’d like to join a jam, and anybody with cabin fever by March.
• Good to know: Questions go to the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association, 423-263-7232. Bring your instrument if you play; the depot jam is open and relaxed.

👉 Read more (Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival — Tennessee Overhill)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Fri., Oct. 16, 6–9 p.m. (Central): Flashlight Night, Oaklands Mansion, Murfreesboro. $20/$10; bring a flashlight.
• Sat., Oct. 17, noon–2 p.m. (Central): Pumpkin Painting Party, Marion County Park, Jasper.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–noon OUR time (10–1 Eastern): STEAMagination, UTC, Chattanooga. Free.
• Tue., Nov. 10, 7–8 p.m. OUR time (8–9 Eastern): Signs in the Stars night hike, Harrison Bay State Park.
• Sat.–Sun., Nov. 14–15 (Eastern): Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow, Evensville. Grand Entry 11 a.m. our time.
• Jan. 29–31 & Feb. 12–14, 2027 (Central): Eagle Awareness Weekends, Lake Guntersville. Day pass $25/$12.50.
• Fri.–Sat., March 5–6, 2027 (Eastern): Cousin Jake Tullock Bluegrass Festival, Etowah.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: Murfreesboro, Jasper and Guntersville are Central like us; Chattanooga, Harrison Bay, Evensville and Etowah are Eastern, one hour ahead.
• ✅ Call ahead for Flashlight Night (limited spots) and for the Harrison Bay hike (sign-up and cost not posted).
• ✅ Pack a flashlight for Oaklands and the night hike, and a warm layer for anything after dark or by the lake.
• ✅ Check the event page for anything marked “check before you go,” especially the pumpkin party cost, pow wow admission, eagle weekend times and the Cousin Jake schedule.
• ✅ Bring cash for vendors and food trucks, and a folding chair for the pow wow.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a snack or picnic fixings before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All seven are new for article #30. We’ve listed other ghost-season outings, a different STEAM festival (Imagination Fest) and other Harrison Bay programs before, but Flashlight Night, STEAMagination and the Signs in the Stars hike are separate events and new to the list.

Which ones are free?

STEAMagination is free, parking included. Veterans, first responders and teachers with ID were listed as free at the pow wow. The Harrison Bay hike and the Jasper pumpkin party don’t post a price, so call ahead. Flashlight Night is $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6–11, and Eagle Awareness day passes are $25 for adults.

Which ones are best for young kids?

The Pumpkin Painting Party and STEAMagination are the easiest fits for little ones. The live bird shows at Eagle Awareness are a kid favorite, and the pow wow’s dancing and drumming hold young eyes. Flashlight Night is billed for all ages, and the night hike suits kids who can handle an hour’s evening walk.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. So are Murfreesboro, Jasper and Guntersville, so no clock math there. Chattanooga, Harrison Bay, Evensville (Rhea County) and Etowah are on Eastern, one hour ahead. Subtract an hour from their posted times.

Why list events in January and March already?

Because the good ones fill up and slip our minds. Eagle Awareness overnight packages book early, and the Cousin Jake festival is the kind of thing that’s easy to forget until it’s over. Jot them on next year’s calendar now and check back for schedules.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page or a trusted listing whenever we can. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Oaklands Mansion events calendar
• Flashlight Night listing — Main Street Murfreesboro
• Marion County, Tennessee: county events
• STEAMagination! — UTC events calendar
• UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center
• Signs in the Stars Guided Night Hike — Tennessee State Parks
• Harrison Bay State Park
• Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Pow Wow — Pow Wow Calendar
• Pow wow preview — Dunlap.Today
• Eagle Awareness Weekends — The Lodge at Lake Guntersville
• Eagle Awareness Weekend — Alabama State Parks
• Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival — Tennessee Overhill
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🍂 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t need a big vacation to make a memory. A flashlight beam on an old mansion wall, a painted pumpkin on the porch, a child’s grin when a homemade gadget finally works, a sky full of stars, the first drumbeat of a Grand Entry, a bald eagle over the lake and a fiddle tune in a mountain town are all within an easy drive of the Valley. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the weather, and go.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.