🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Monster Bash, Cryptid Campfires and a Fall Color Lake Cruise

Or: A Manchester Monster Market, Sewanee Pumpkin Crafts, Free Vintage at Coolidge Park, Rocktober in Calhoun and Free BBQ on the Square in Scottsboro. Eight New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

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

This round leans into the delightfully weird and the quietly wonderful: costumes and Spooky Town at Creative Discovery Museum tonight and tomorrow, free cryptid stories around a campfire at Harrison Bay, a small-boat cruise for fall color on Center Hill Lake, a Bigfoot-friendly market in Manchester, pumpkin crafts on the mountain in Sewanee, a free vintage treasure hunt at Coolidge Park, Calhoun’s Rocktober Fest (check the new date) and Scottsboro’s free BBQ Festival, now set for Nov. 7.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Tonight and Sat., Oct. 9–10, 6–9 p.m. Eastern: Monster Bash, Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga. $22 general / $10 members / $5 EBT.
• Sat., Oct. 10, 6–8 p.m. Eastern: Cryptic Critters campfire, Harrison Bay State Park. Free.
• Mon., Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Central: Fall Color and Waterfowl Cruise, Edgar Evins State Park. $20; limit 12 — reserve ahead.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Central: Creepy Cryptids Monster Market, Rotary Amphitheater, Manchester.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Central: Fall Makers Market, Frame Gallery, downtown Sewanee. Free to shop; pumpkin crafts by registration.
• Sun., Oct. 18, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern: Chattanooga Vintage Market Vol. 10, Coolidge Park. Free entry.
• Sat., Oct. 24 (rescheduled): Rocktober Fest, downtown Calhoun, GA. Free; confirm hours on the DDA page.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Central (rescheduled from Oct. 10): Scottsboro BBQ Festival, Downtown Square. Free admission.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: the time line. Chattanooga, Harrison Bay (Eastern Time side of the valley), Coolidge Park and Calhoun, Georgia are on Eastern Time, one hour ahead of us. So a 6 p.m. start there is 5 p.m. our time. Manchester, Sewanee, Edgar Evins (Silver Point) and Scottsboro, Alabama are on Central Time, same as Dunlap. And remember, clocks fall back on Sunday, Nov. 1.

👻 Costumes, Critters and Spooky Town: Monster Bash

Creative Discovery Museum’s signature Halloween party is back for two nights — and if you’re reading this Friday evening, tonight is still in play. Families in kid-friendly costumes get crafts, partners and a new Spooky Town in the Temporary Exhibit Gallery, plus Aquarium critter meetups, a potion lab, bubble-painting cauldrons, pumpkin puppets, temporary tattoos and s’mores on the plaza.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fri., Oct. 9 and Sat., Oct. 10, 6–9 p.m. Eastern (that’s 5–8 p.m. our time). You may switch days; refunds aren’t available.
• Where: Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga. cdmfun.org.
• How far: About 30 miles, roughly 45 minutes.
• Cost: $22 general admission; $10 members; $5 EBT cardholders.
• Who’ll love it: Families with preschoolers and grade-schoolers who want Halloween fun that stays on the playful side of spooky.
• Good to know: This is a ticketed evening event, separate from daytime museum admission. Leave Dunlap by about 4:15 p.m. Central if you want a cushion before the 6 p.m. Eastern open.

👉 Read more (Monster Bash) · CDM Halloween lineup

🦶 Free Cryptid Stories by the Fire at Harrison Bay

Wild things “might even be in your backyard,” say the rangers. Cryptic Critters is a free Saturday-evening campfire program: hot cider, cryptid stories, and craft supplies if you want to invent your own creature or start a field guide. It’s playful folklore, not a haunted house — perfect for curious kids and grown-ups who like a good yarn.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 10, 6–8 p.m. Eastern (5–7 p.m. our time).
• Where: Friends Front Porch, Harrison Bay State Park, 8411 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison, TN. After the park entrance, stay right on Campground Road; park by the A-frame campstore or the Rec Center if that lot is full.
• How far: About 50 miles, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
• Cost: Free. Bring a chair or blanket if you like; seating is limited.
• Who’ll love it: Families who want a short evening outdoors, Bigfoot fans of all ages and anyone collecting free park programs.
• Good to know: Contact Dani O’Brien at danielle.obrien@tn.gov or (931) 224-7652 if weather looks iffy. Park programs can change — check the State Parks page before you go.

👉 Read more (Cryptic Critters)

🍂 Fall Color From the Water: Edgar Evins Lake Cruise

On Columbus Day Monday, Edgar Evins State Park offers a three-to-four-hour boat cruise along Center Hill Lake for fall color — and maybe migrating waterfowl. It’s a quiet, camera-friendly outing with a hard cap of 12 people, so this one sells out the old-fashioned way: call early.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Mon., Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Central (our time). Meet at Edgar Evins Marina.
• Where: Edgar Evins State Park / Marina, 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road, Silver Point, TN.
• How far: About 85 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes.
• Cost: $20 per person. No children under 2. Host: Mark Taylor, Mark.Taylor@tn.gov, (931) 982-3918.
• Who’ll love it: Birders, leaf-peepers who prefer a boat to a crowded overlook, and small groups who like a ranger-led day.
• Good to know: Dress for sun, wind, rain or chill — “or a mix of all these.” Bring binoculars, camera, snacks and water. They cancel for bad weather. Confirm your spot before you drive.

👉 Read more (Fall Color and Waterfowl Cruise)

👹 Bigfoot, Mothman and Handmade Horror in Manchester

Oliver’s Wood & Fabric presents the 5th Annual Creepy Cryptids Monster Market at the Rotary Amphitheater — handcrafted goods, food and drinks, a cryptid scavenger hunt, costume contest, spooky story circles and enough foggy fun for monster hunters of every age. Think craft fair meets folklore, not a jump-scare haunt.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Central (our time).
• Where: Rotary Amphitheater, 557 N. Woodland Street, Manchester.
• How far: About 60 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Cost: Admission isn’t clearly posted on the public listings we found — expect to pay for food and shopping, and check at the gate or with the Manchester Chamber ((931) 728-7635) before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Costume kids, craft shoppers, cryptid believers and anyone who already loved the Upper Cumberland Bigfoot Festival vibe but wants a Manchester day.
• Good to know: Same Saturday as Sewanee’s Fall Makers Market — you could do Sewanee in the morning and Manchester in the afternoon if you’re ambitious, or pick one and linger.

👉 Read more (Creepy Cryptids listing) · Manchester Chamber

🎨 Pumpkin Crafts and Live Art in Downtown Sewanee

Frame Gallery’s Fall Makers Market turns downtown Sewanee into a rainy-or-shine craft afternoon: live wreath-making and plein-air painting demos, fall shopping, and two ticketed pumpkin activities (doodle-o’-lanterns and pansy planters) that need registration by Oct. 15. No registration needed just to shop and watch.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Central. Craft sessions 10:30 a.m.–noon and 12:30–2 p.m.
• Where: Frame Gallery Gifts & Art, 12569 Sollace M. Freeman Highway, Sewanee. (931) 463-2300.
• How far: About 55 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Cost: Free to browse and watch demos. Doodle-O’-Lantern about $15 (bring your pumpkin) or $25 (buy one there). Pumpkin pansy planters $30 (or two for $45). Register pumpkin activities by end of day Thu., Oct. 15.
• Who’ll love it: Art-curious kids (under 12 need an adult for doodling), gardeners who want a planter to take home, and shoppers who prefer a short mountain afternoon to a huge street festival.
• Good to know: Gallery hours Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Discarded pumpkin pulp goes to the University Farm goats — a detail we love.

👉 Read more (Frame Gallery October notes)

🧥 Free Vintage Treasure Hunt at Coolidge Park

Ugly Duck Vintage hosts Chattanooga Vintage Market Vol. 10 — more than 50 vendors of clothing, jewelry, art and handmade goods, plus food trucks, coffee, matcha and those famous $5 and $10 vintage piles. Free to enter, all ages, and aimed at giving preowned clothes a second life.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Oct. 18, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.–4 p.m. our time).
• Where: Coolidge Park, 150 River Street, Chattanooga.
• How far: About 30 miles, roughly 45 minutes.
• Cost: Free entry. Bring cash or card for finds and food trucks.
• Who’ll love it: Teens hunting a unique jacket, thrifters, jewelry fans and anyone who likes a Sunday stroll by the river with a shopping bag.
• Good to know: Same weekend energy as Days of Yesteryear in Dunlap (Sat.–Sun., Oct. 17–18) — you could do tractors Saturday and vintage Sunday without leaving the 50-mile bubble.

👉 Read more (Vintage Market Vol. 10)

🎸 Rocktober Fest Moves to Oct. 24 in Calhoun

Downtown Calhoun’s signature fall street festival — costumes, candy at vendor booths, kids’ zone, live music, food trucks and 100-plus retail vendors — has been rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 24 on the official Downtown Development Authority page. Some older vendor calendars still show Oct. 10, so treat the DDA page as the source of truth and confirm hours before you go.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026 (rescheduled). Prior listings ran noon–8 p.m. Eastern; confirm the Oct. 24 hours at downtowncalhounga.com/rocktober before you leave.
• Where: Main Street / Wall Street (Hwy 41), downtown Calhoun, GA. DDA: (706) 602-5570.
• How far: About 80 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
• Cost: Free admission (per event materials). Budget for food, drinks and shopping.
• Who’ll love it: Families who want a full Halloween-leaning street festival, costume contestants (kids, adults and dogs) and live-music fans.
• Good to know: Calhoun is Eastern Time. Same Saturday as Dunlap’s Great Pumpkin Festival (3–5 p.m. Central) — pick local pumpkins or a longer Rocktober road trip, not both unless you’re superhuman.

👉 Read more (Rocktober Fest — official DDA)

🍖 Free BBQ on the Square: Scottsboro Moves to Nov. 7

The 11th Annual Scottsboro BBQ Festival was moved from Oct. 10 to Saturday, Nov. 7. Free admission, 150-plus vendors, backyard cook teams competing for thousands in prizes, Kids-Q, a Kids Fun Zone, cornhole, a car show and People’s Choice sampling ($10 ticket). Live music at Two Sisters Square; free shuttles from Unclaimed Baggage and other lots.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Central (our time — Scottsboro runs Central). Some activities have different start times; awards and music can run later — check the festival schedule.
• Where: Downtown Square, about 316 S. Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL. scottsborobbqfestival.fun.
• How far: About 65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Cost: Free festival admission. People’s Choice sampling $10. Cornhole about $20/team; car-show entry about $20/vehicle if you compete.
• Who’ll love it: BBQ fans, craft shoppers, families with the Kids Fun Zone and anyone who wants a big free Saturday after Halloween.
• Good to know: After clocks fall back Nov. 1, Central still matches Dunlap. Park at a shuttle lot — the square gets packed. Same Nov. 7 weekend energy as Chilimauga across the state line if you’re building a BBQ-and-chili road trip.

👉 Read more (Scottsboro BBQ Festival)

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge

• Tonight / Sat., Oct. 9–10: Monster Bash (6–9 p.m. Eastern); Cryptic Critters at Harrison Bay Sat. 6–8 p.m. Eastern.
• Mon., Oct. 12: Edgar Evins fall-color cruise — reserve first.
• Sat., Oct. 17: Creepy Cryptids in Manchester and/or Sewanee Fall Makers Market.
• Sun., Oct. 18: Vintage Market at Coolidge Park.
• Sat., Oct. 24: Rocktober Fest in Calhoun (confirm hours) — or stay local for Dunlap’s Great Pumpkin Festival.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Sat., Nov. 7: Scottsboro BBQ Festival (rescheduled).

✅ Your Easy Day-Trip Checklist

• ✅ Check the clock. Chattanooga, Harrison Bay and Calhoun are one hour ahead. Manchester, Sewanee, Edgar Evins and Scottsboro match home (Central).
• ✅ Buy or reserve ahead for Monster Bash tickets and the Edgar Evins cruise (limit 12). Register Sewanee pumpkin crafts by Oct. 15.
• ✅ Confirm Rocktober’s Oct. 24 hours on downtowncalhounga.com — some older listings still say Oct. 10.
• ✅ Bring a chair or blanket for Cryptic Critters and layers for the lake cruise.
• ✅ Pack cash and a card for markets, food trucks and People’s Choice tasting.
• ✅ Wear good walking shoes. Coolidge Park, downtown Calhoun and the Scottsboro square all add up.
• ✅ Shop local on the way out. Grab breakfast or gas from a Valley business. Find one on Dunlap.Directory.
• ✅ Snap a photo of this page so the dates and time zones ride along with you.

Practical rule: Pick one trip, write it on the calendar tonight with the time zone beside it, and tell somebody you’re taking them along. A plan with a date and a buddy actually happens.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these trips is closest to Dunlap?

Monster Bash and the Vintage Market are each about 30 miles. Cryptic Critters at Harrison Bay is about 50 miles, Sewanee about 55, Manchester about 60, Scottsboro about 65, Calhoun about 80 and the Edgar Evins cruise about 85 — still under our 100-mile line.

Which ones are free or nearly free?

Cryptic Critters is free. The Vintage Market and Rocktober Fest are free to enter. Scottsboro BBQ is free admission (optional $10 tasting). Sewanee’s market is free to shop; pumpkin crafts cost extra. Monster Bash is $10–$22. The lake cruise is $20 with a 12-person limit.

Which ones are on Eastern Time?

Chattanooga (Monster Bash and Vintage Market), Harrison Bay State Park and Calhoun, Georgia. All are one hour ahead of Dunlap. Manchester, Sewanee, Edgar Evins and Scottsboro are on Central Time, same as home.

Which are best for little kids?

Monster Bash, Cryptic Critters (campfire stories, not jump-scares), Sewanee doodle pumpkins with an adult, the Vintage Market stroll and Scottsboro’s Kids Fun Zone. The lake cruise skips kids under 2 and suits steadier little travelers.

Can I do more than one in a day?

Yes. A natural pair: Monster Bash Friday night, then Cryptic Critters Saturday evening — or Sewanee makers in the morning and Creepy Cryptids in Manchester after lunch on Oct. 17. Don’t stack three; leave room for ice cream.

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 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

• Creative Discovery Museum: Monster Bash
• Harrison Bay: Cryptic Critters
• Edgar Evins: Fall Color and Waterfowl Cruise
• Frame Gallery Sewanee: Fall Makers Market
• Chattanooga Vintage Market Vol. 10
• Downtown Calhoun: Rocktober Fest
• Scottsboro BBQ Festival
• Tennessee State Parks event calendar
• Choose Chattanooga: Events calendar
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🍂 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t have to invent a big vacation to make an October memory. From costumes at the museum tonight to free cryptid stories by a park fire and a chili-free Saturday of barbecue on Scottsboro’s square, every outing on this list is within about two hours of home — and a few are under an hour. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the sky, 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.