🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: A Costume Spooky Sprint on the Riverpark, St. Elmo Makers Market, Lookout Valley Cars and Athens Fright Fest

Or: Dress Up and Run Along the Tennessee River, Shop Local Makers in St. Elmo, Cruise a Lookout Valley Car Show, Hit Athens Fright Fest, Wander an Ocoee River Maze, Trick-or-Treat on LaFayette’s Square, Catch Independent Films in Rome and Spend a Day at Ringgold’s Autumn Festival — Eight New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, October 16, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Here’s batch number thirty-five 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 leans Halloween-weekend fun without the scary stuff. It starts tomorrow with three Chattanooga stops you can stack into one Saturday: the Spooky Sprint costume race at Tennessee Riverpark, the St. Elmo Maker’s Market and Lookout Valley Recreation’s Fall Car Show & Vendor Market. Next Saturday brings Main Street Athens Fright Fest. Keep the kids busy at Ocoee Valley Farms through Nov. 1, then Scare on the Square in LaFayette on Halloween night. Later on: the Rome International Film Festival Nov. 5–8 and Ringgold’s Holistic & Cultural Autumn Festival Nov. 7.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Oct. 17, 8 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. our time): Spooky Sprint, Tennessee Riverpark Pavilion 2, Chattanooga. About $21–$87; kids’ options.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–2 p.m. our time): St. Elmo Maker’s Market, 3800 St. Elmo Ave. Free to browse, per listings.
• Sat., Oct. 17, noon–4 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m.–3 p.m. our time): Lookout Valley Fall Car Show & Vendor Market, 370 Warren Place. Spectators free; cars $20.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 4–10 p.m. Eastern (3–9 p.m. our time): Main Street Athens Fright Fest, downtown Athens, Tenn. Free, per listing.
• Through Sun., Nov. 1 (Fri./Sat./Sun. hours; Eastern): Ocoee Valley Farms Fall Festival & River Maze, Benton, Tenn. $14–$20 ages 3+.
• Fri., Oct. 30, 5:30–7 p.m. Eastern (4:30–6 p.m. our time): Scare on the Square, downtown LaFayette, Ga. Free; costume contest 5 p.m. Eastern.
• Thu.–Sun., Nov. 5–8, Eastern: Rome International Film Festival (RIFF), downtown Rome, Ga. Passes — check before you go.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–8 p.m. our time): Holistic & Cultural Autumn Festival (New Earth Energy Market), Patriots Hall, Ringgold. Admission — check before you go.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Chattanooga, Athens, Benton (Polk County), LaFayette, Rome and Ringgold are all Eastern Time — one hour ahead of Dunlap. Every event in this batch posts Eastern times, so subtract an hour to get Dunlap (Central) time. Write it on the fridge the way you’ll read it at 5 a.m.: “7 a.m. OUR time for the Spooky Sprint start” beats “8 a.m. Eastern” every time. And one more: daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Set clocks back an hour Saturday night, Oct. 31 — that matters for Ocoee’s last weekend and anything after Halloween.

🏃 Dress Up and Run the Spooky Sprint at Tennessee Riverpark

If your idea of Halloween is a costume and a finish-line medal instead of a haunted house, this one’s for you. Bodies Race Company brings the Spooky Sprint – Chattanooga to Tennessee Riverpark Pavilion 2 on Saturday, Oct. 17. You can run a Kids Dash (ages 10 and under), a 1-mile, a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon — all starting from the same pavilion along Amnicola Highway. Costumes are encouraged. Registration includes a designer shirt and finisher medal for most distances, and results and awards are handed out right at the tent after you finish.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026. Packet pickup 6:30–7:45 a.m. Eastern; Kids Dash about 7:55 a.m. Eastern; main race start 8 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. Dunlap time). Event window listed roughly 8–11 a.m. Eastern.
• Where: Tennessee Riverpark Pavilion 2, 4501 Amnicola Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37406. Overflow parking noted at Chattanooga State lots P6 and P7.
• How far: About 45–50 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of Soddy-Daisy or downtown Chattanooga. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Online listings show about $21–$87 depending on distance (youth 5K/10K pricing for ages 12 and under as low as about $17 on the race site). Virtual option available. Register: runsignup.com / Bodies Race Company.
• Who’ll love it: Costume runners, families with little dashers, half-marathon folks and anybody who wants Halloween bling without the fright.
• Good to know: Eastern Time — leave Dunlap early (about 5:30–6 a.m. our time for packet pickup). Shirt sizes lock earlier if you want a guaranteed shirt — check before you go.

👉 Read more (Spooky Sprint — RunSignup) · Choose Chattanooga listing

🎨 Shop Local Makers at St. Elmo Maker’s Market

After the race (or instead of it), slide over to the foot of Lookout Mountain for the monthly St. Elmo Maker’s Market. It’s the neighborhood’s third-Saturday gathering — live music, local vendors, beer and food — and Oct. 17 is on the calendar for its fourth year. Organizers list it at The Tap House, 3800 St. Elmo Ave. It’s the kind of afternoon where you pick up a handmade gift, listen to a set and still make it home for supper.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–2 p.m. Dunlap time). Also listed for Nov. 21 on vendor calendars.
• Where: 3800 St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409 (The Tap House / St. Elmo).
• How far: About 40–45 miles, roughly 50–60 minutes, by way of Chattanooga. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Listings treat it as a free-to-browse market; food and drinks cost extra — check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Shoppers who like handmade over big-box, music fans and folks pairing it with a Lookout Mountain scenic drive.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Street parking in St. Elmo fills up; arrive with a little patience. Hosted with Full Circle Refillery / local makers.

👉 Read more (St. Elmo Maker’s Market — AllEvents) · Vendor calendar listing

🚗 Cruise Classics at Lookout Valley Recreation’s Fall Car Show

Same Saturday, a little farther west toward the Georgia line, Lookout Valley Recreation hosts its Fall Car Show & Vendor Market. Cars and trucks roll in for trophies; craft and merchandise vendors set up; food and kids’ activities round it out. Spectator admission is listed as free, and proceeds help youth programs and facility upkeep. (Note: this is the recreation center’s car show — not the NPS Lookout Valley artillery demos we covered earlier.)

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, noon–4 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m.–3 p.m. Dunlap time).
• Where: Lookout Valley Recreation, 370 Warren Place, Chattanooga, TN 37419.
• How far: About 35–40 miles, roughly 45–55 minutes, by way of Chattanooga / I-24. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Spectators free; show vehicle registration $20, per Car Cruise Finder.
• Who’ll love it: Car folks, grandparents with grandkids, vendor-hoppers and anyone stacking this after St. Elmo.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Bring cash for food and vendors. Confirm details with Lookout Valley Recreation before you leave — listings can change.

👉 Read more (Lookout Valley Fall Car Show — Car Cruise Finder)

🎃 Hit Main Street Athens Fright Fest

Athens, Tennessee, calls itself the Friendly City, and on Saturday, Oct. 24, Main Street Athens turns downtown into a Fright Fest — a spooktacular afternoon and evening for the whole family. The Main Street Athens page lists it 4–10 p.m. and Local 3 lists admission as free. Vendors are welcome (email the Main Street office if you’re selling). It’s a good excuse to poke around McMinn County shops and grab supper before the evening crowd.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 4–10 p.m. Eastern (3–9 p.m. Dunlap time).
• Where: Downtown Athens, Tenn. (Main Street Athens). Contact: (423) 333-0329.
• How far: About 55–65 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, by way of Dayton or Cleveland. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Listed as free on Local 3’s fall events guide — check before you go for street closures and parking.
• Who’ll love it: Families looking for Halloween without a haunted house, small-town festival fans and folks who like a late-afternoon drive.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Expect temporary street and parking closures downtown — arrive early and walk.

👉 Read more (Fright Fest — Main Street Athens)

🌽 Wander the River Maze at Ocoee Valley Farms

Between Athens and the Ocoee, Ocoee Valley Farms in Benton is still running its Fall Festival & River Maze through Sunday, Nov. 1. It’s a working row-crop farm that opens the gates for pumpkins (30+ varieties), an 8-acre corn maze plus more mazes, flower picking, campfire sites and 25+ attractions. Admission covers most activities; a few “token” attractions cost extra. Sign the farm’s safety waiver before you go — they ask you to bring a signed copy to the gate.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Through Sun., Nov. 1, 2026. October hours: Fridays 5–9 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sundays 1–5 p.m. Eastern. Gate sales end 30 minutes before closing.
• Where: 1371 Hwy. 64, Benton, TN 37307. Phone: 423-650-0710.
• How far: About 55–65 miles, roughly 1 hour 15–30 minutes, by way of Cleveland. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $14 farm admission ages 3+; $20 farm + maze (tax included). Token attractions about $2.25 each or bundles. Under 3 free of admission, per farm site.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who want a maze, pumpkin pickers, picnic families and anyone who likes a farm day that isn’t just a photo backdrop.
• Good to know: Eastern Time (Polk County). Bring the signed waiver. Watch Facebook for weather closures. Last weekend hits right as we fall back — double-check Sunday hours.

👉 Read more (Ocoee Valley Farms)

👻 Trick-or-Treat on the Square in LaFayette

For more than 30 years, downtown LaFayette, Georgia, has hosted Scare on the Square — a safe, one-stop trick-or-treat night started by local businessman Joe Stock and kept going by Main Street and downtown merchants. On Friday, Oct. 30 (Halloween), the square closes to traffic, businesses hand out candy and kids (and grown-ups) show up in costume. A costume contest kicks off at the Downtown Commons before the candy crawl.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fri., Oct. 30, 2026. Costume contest 5 p.m. Eastern at Downtown Commons; candy on the square 5:30–7 p.m. Eastern (4:30–6 p.m. Dunlap time).
• Where: Downtown square, LaFayette, GA. City Hall: 706-639-1500.
• How far: About 45–55 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of Chattanooga / I-75 or US-27. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free for families; bring a bag for candy.
• Who’ll love it: Little trick-or-treaters, grandparents, costume contestants and anyone who prefers a square full of merchants to door-to-door in the dark.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Square closed to cars during the event — park and walk. Sponsored by Bank of LaFayette and City of LaFayette Main Street / DDA.

👉 Read more (Scare on the Square — City of LaFayette)

🎬 Catch Independent Films at Rome International Film Festival

For a notable trip a little later, the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) marks its 23rd year Nov. 5–8 in historic downtown Rome, Georgia. Independent films, artists and audiences fill the streets; Georgia native Danny McBride is set to receive the 2026 Flannery O’Connor Award. If you like movies that aren’t the usual multiplex fare — and a pretty downtown to walk between screenings — this is the long-weekend outing.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thu., Nov. 5–Sun., Nov. 8, 2026, Eastern. Individual screening times on the festival site.
• Where: Historic downtown Rome, GA (festival office listed at 530 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30161). Email: info@riffga.com.
• How far: About 70–85 miles, roughly 1½–2 hours, by way of Chattanooga and I-75. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Festival passes and tickets — buy on riffga.com; check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Movie buffs, date-night couples, arts folks and anyone who wants a North Georgia overnight with a cultural spark.
• Good to know: Eastern Time — and clocks will have fallen back by then. Book lodging early if you’re staying overnight; downtown fills for festival weekend.

👉 Read more (Rome International Film Festival)

🌿 Spend the Day at Ringgold’s Holistic & Cultural Autumn Festival

Local 3 lists it as the Holistic & Cultural Autumn Festival; organizers bill it as the New Earth Energy Market Autumn Festival. On Saturday, Nov. 7, Patriots Hall in Ringgold fills with 30+ booths of natural-product vendors, healers and readers, plus belly dance, a drum circle and fire performance, live music from Spirit Horse and a late DJ set. Indoor and outdoor booths run the afternoon; evening performances follow. It’s quirky, colorful and an easy drive toward the Georgia line.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 7, 2026, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–8 p.m. Dunlap time). Booths listed roughly 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; performances into the evening.
• Where: Patriots Hall, 366 Cotter St., Ringgold, GA 30736.
• How far: About 50–55 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of Chattanooga / I-75. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Some listings mention a small gate fee (around $5); confirm on the organizer’s channels — check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Curious shoppers, music fans, folks who like herbal/natural vendors and anyone wanting a different kind of Saturday festival.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Clocks will already be on standard time. Follow New Earth Energy Market on social for the vendor list.

👉 Read more (New Earth Energy Market Autumn Festival — AllEvents) · Local 3 fall events list

✅ Remember These Dates

• Sat., Oct. 17, 8 a.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): Spooky Sprint, Tennessee Riverpark Pavilion 2. About $21–$87.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): St. Elmo Maker’s Market, 3800 St. Elmo Ave. Free to browse.
• Sat., Oct. 17, noon–4 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): Lookout Valley Fall Car Show, 370 Warren Place. Spectators free; cars $20.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 4–10 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): Main Street Athens Fright Fest. Free, per listing.
• Through Sun., Nov. 1 (Eastern — subtract an hour): Ocoee Valley Farms Fall Festival & River Maze, Benton. $14–$20 ages 3+.
• Fri., Oct. 30, 5:30–7 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): Scare on the Square, LaFayette, Ga. Free. Costume contest 5 p.m. Eastern.
• Thu.–Sun., Nov. 5–8 (Eastern — subtract an hour): Rome International Film Festival. Passes on riffga.com.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): Holistic & Cultural Autumn Festival, Patriots Hall, Ringgold. Confirm admission.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: every stop in this batch is Eastern — subtract an hour from posted times for Dunlap (Central).
• ✅ Fall back Saturday night, Oct. 31 — daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• ✅ Stack Oct. 17 carefully: race early, St. Elmo late morning, Lookout Valley car show afternoon — or pick one and linger.
• ✅ Print and sign the Ocoee Valley Farms waiver before you leave home.
• ✅ Confirm Fright Fest street closures, RIFF ticket prices and the Ringgold festival gate fee the week of.
• ✅ 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 eight are new for article #35. We’ve listed other Lookout Valley and Ringgold events before (NPS artillery demos in Lookout Valley; Ringgold Pumpkin Fest and Haunted Depot), but the Lookout Valley Recreation car show and this Ringgold autumn festival are separate and new to the list.

Which ones are free or nearly free?

St. Elmo Maker’s Market is free to browse, per listings. Lookout Valley car show spectators are free ($20 if you enter a car). Athens Fright Fest and Scare on the Square are listed as free. Spooky Sprint and Ocoee Valley Farms charge admission. RIFF and the Ringgold autumn festival need a ticket or gate check the week of.

Which ones are best for young kids?

Scare on the Square is the clearest little-kid pick — short, free candy on a closed square. Ocoee Valley Farms and Athens Fright Fest work well for elementary ages. The Spooky Sprint Kids Dash is for ages 10 and under. The car show and St. Elmo market are stroller-friendly. RIFF is better for older kids and adults who like films.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. Every event in this batch — Chattanooga, Athens, Benton/Polk County, LaFayette, Rome and Ringgold — is Eastern, one hour ahead. Subtract an hour from every posted time on this list.

Can I do Spooky Sprint, St. Elmo and the car show in one day?

Yes, if you pace it. Race early (start 8 a.m. Eastern / 7 a.m. our time), clean up, hit St. Elmo 11–3 Eastern, then Lookout Valley noon–4 Eastern. That’s a full Saturday — pack snacks, water and a change of clothes, and don’t try to squeeze in a mountain hike too.

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

• Spooky Sprint — RunSignup / Bodies Race Company
• Spooky Sprint — Choose Chattanooga
• St. Elmo Maker’s Market — AllEvents
• St. Elmo Maker’s Market — vendor calendar
• Lookout Valley Fall Car Show — Car Cruise Finder
• Main Street Athens Fright Fest
• Ocoee Valley Farms
• Scare on the Square — City of LaFayette
• Rome International Film Festival
• New Earth Energy Market Autumn Festival — AllEvents
• Local 3: Fall 2026 events around the Tennessee Valley
• 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 costume race along the river, a makers market under Lookout Mountain, a car show that funds youth ball, a Friendly City fright fest, a corn maze on a working farm, candy on a Georgia square, an independent film in Rome and a colorful autumn festival in Ringgold are all within a 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.