Throughout October – Oaklands Mansion Fall Tours
Come explore the unusual mourning customs and superstitions of the Victorian era at Oaklands Mansion (901 N. Maney Ave.) during the month of October. The clocks are stopped at the hour of your death, the curtains are drawn and the mirrors draped in black when the house is in mourning. Guided tours of the mansion are offered Tuesdays–Saturdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sundays 1–4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, and Friday, Oct. 28, will be Flashlight Night from 7–10 p.m. Tours of Evergreen Cemetery are Saturday, Oct. 29, at 6 and 7 p.m. Trick-or-treating begins on Halloween night, Monday, Oct. 31, at 4 p.m. until all the candy is gone. For more information, visit oaklandsmansion.org or contact info@OaklandsMansion.org or (615) 893-0022.

Crissy Collins

Oct. 5 – Chrissy Collins
Crissy Collins, backup singer for Beyoncé, will appear at the MTSU Tucker Theater at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, for an interview with Beverly Keel followed by a performance with student musicians from MTSU. The event is sponsored by the Department of Recording Industry. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/media/calendar.php or contact (615) 898-8490 or media@mtsu.edu.

Oct. 6 – Survival Bracelets
Ages 10 and up are invited to the Wilderness Station (301 Volunteer Rd.) from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, for survival awareness. Who knew survival could come down to what you are wearing on your arm? Learn several different knots and styles of survival bracelets and some of the neat things they could be used for in a pinch, then go home with your very own survival apparel. Reservations required. For more information, contact (615) 217-3017 or outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 7 – Family Kayak Float
Grab the family and paddle down the beautiful Stones River. Enjoy an adventure with your loved ones throughout Murfreesboro beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. Space is limited; reservations are required. All equipment and instruction are provided. Children must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Admission is $15 per person. For more information, contact (615) 217-3017 or outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 7 through Nov. 18 – Food Truck Fridays
Cannonsburgh Village will be hosting Food Truck Fridays every Friday through Nov. 18. Food trucks will be on site from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a different truck each Friday. Picnic tables and benches are available throughout the Village. Cannonsburgh Village is located at 312 South Front Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. For more information, call 615-890-0355 or email shodges@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 7 – MTSU Friday Star Parties
The MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy hosts Friday Star Parties at the MTSU Science Building (SCI) Room 1006 for a public lecture from 6:30–7:30 pm and then at the MTSU Observatory from 7:30–8:30 p.m. with a telescope viewing. Free parking is available by the Science building. October’s lecture features Gravity Waves. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/physics.

Oct. 8 – Celebrate Reading
Stones River Mall hosts Celebrate Reading from noon–3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, in Center Court. This free event will feature an array of literary activities, including book readings from local authors, vendor booths from community partners and an artisan craft fundraiser for Rutherford County Books from Birth. Mascots from select retailers will also compete in a Grand Spell-Off to conclude the event. Youngsters can also enjoy face painting, balloon art and crafts during this family-friendly event. For information, visit stonesrivermall.com.

Oct. 8 – Fall Festival and Fish Fry
Good Shepherd Children’s Home (203 Woodcraft Dr.) will host a fall festival and fish fry from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. with activities for kids, food and entertainment beginning at 3 p.m. ($10 per plate) with a benefit auction at 4 p.m. Auction items include various themed baskets, dinner packages, travel packages, sports packages and much more. For more information, call (615) 896-1459.

Oct. 8 – Half-Marathon
On Saturday, Oct. 8, runners will compete in The Middle Half, a flat and fast course starting at Greenland Drive near the MTSU Track and Soccer Complex, running down tree-lined Main Street to Maney Avenue, circling the Downtown Public Square, passing by MTSU’s Fraternity Row and the official geographic center of the great state of Tennessee, then finishing on the MTSU track. The race is limited to 3,250 runners, and races in past years have reached capacity. For more information, visit themiddlehalf.com.

Oct. 10 and 11 – Focus on Historic Downtown Murfreesboro
Downtown-area property owners, residents, business owners, community leaders and interested stakeholders are invited to participate in two public open houses on two consecutive evenings. A North Highland Avenue planning study will be held on Monday, Oct. 10, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at MTSU’s Andrew Woodfin Miller Sr. Education Center (503 E. Bell St., second floor). A Historic Bottoms Planning Study will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.). For more information, contact (615) 893-6441 or mblomeley@murfreesborotn.gov or danthony@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 12 – 10 Percent Happier
The Nurture Nook, 624 N. Walnut St., hosts a Lunch Connection on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with 10 Percent Happier as the theme, and with food from Green Dragon. For more information, call (615) 896-7110, or visit facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or nurturenook.com.

Oct. 13 – Stone Cellars Barn Sale
Stepping Stones Safe Haven presents the Stone Cellars Barn Sale at 3250 Wilkinson Pk. The barn sale, held from noon–8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, features various vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, woodworking, candles, bath products, women’s and children’s apparel and home decor. Tickets are $5 online and $10 at the door. All proceeds benefit Stepping Stones Safe Haven in providing programs and resources that emphasize recovery, development, self-help and support for those suffering oppression within the community. For more information, visit steppingstonetn.org.

Oct. 13 – Foundation & Fashions
The 9th Annual Foundation & Fashions returns to Stones River Country Club (1830 NW Broad St.) to raise money for The City Schools Foundation and area elementary students. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, with runway action at 6:15 p.m. featuring upcoming collections from local favorites like Bella’s Boutique, e.Allen, Sugaree’s, Trendy Pieces, Penny’s Closet, The Perfect Piece and Lizard Thicket. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information, visit cityschoolsfoundation.com or call (615) 893-2313.

Oct. 14 – Wine and Craft Beer Tasting
The Smyrna Senior Citizens Center holds its second annual Wine Tasting from 5–9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Center (100 Raikes St., Smyrna) sponsored by Legacy Wine & Spirits in Smyrna. This year, craft beer will also be available for tasting alongside local food. Tickets for the event, “Uncorked and Uncapped” are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. The Smyrna Senior Center, a nonprofit organization, is a place where seniors age 55 and older can go for educational, recreational and social activities. For more information, contact (615) 459-4839 or smyrnaseniorcenter@att.net or visit smyrnaseniorcitizens.com.

Oct. 14 – Zombie Glow Run
Stewarts Creek High School DECA and HOSA will host their second annual Zombie Glow Run 5K. The run will take place on Friday, Oct. 14, 30 minutes after the home football game. Registration is $25. Pick up a registration form for the event from Dr. Stewart in room 411 at Stewarts Creek High School, from the Hawks Nest in the back of the cafeteria, or call (615) 904-6771 for more information.

Oct. 15 – Clip for the Cure
Murfreesboro’s Supercuts (1948 Old Fort Pkwy.) holds its annual Clip for the Cure from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.  Ten percent of haircut proceeds benefit the Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. For more information, call (615) 895-0486

Oct. 15 – Breathe STRONG Rally
The COPD Foundation partners with the St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital to raise awareness and funds to fight chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for the first Breathe STRONG Rally in the greater Nashville area at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The goal of the Breathe STRONG Rally is to bring the community together to cure COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease that affects 30 million Americans. While it is free to participate in the rally, attendees are encouraged to recruit 10 people to donate $10 each to the COPD Foundation. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org.

Oct. 15 – Gourmet Campfire Cooking
Prepare a whole gourmet meal with the help of a campfire at the Wilderness Station (301 Volunteer Rd.) at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, as staff leads participants through the process of cooking a delicious meal over the fire, to be enjoyed in the crisp autumn evening. An approximately 1-mile hike each way on a paved trail is required. Meander along the trail at twilight for a guided nature hike and learn about what local animals are doing to survive the winter. Arrive at the glowing fire for a tasty treat, and then settle in for songs and skits. Reservations required. For more information, contact (615) 217-3017 or outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 16 – Pop Up Dinner
Chef Alex Belew’s Pop Up #3, held Sunday, Oct. 16, from 6:30–9 p.m. at Cultivate Coworking, will feature a rare 5-course dinner featuring lobster, octopus, lamb and more, and five drink pairings. Tickets are $105 per person. For more information, find tickets to Pop Up #3 on eventbrite.com.

Oct. 17 – Writers come to MTSU
Marjory Wentworth will appear at MTSU in the Parliamentary Room (MTSU Student Union Building, second floor) at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17. Wentworth’s poems have been nominated for The Pushcart Prize five times. Her most recent collaborations include “We Are Charleston” and “Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emanuel” with Herb Frazier and Dr. Bernard Powers. At 3 p.m., meet Robert Olen Butler, whose short-story collection A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1993. Book signings will follow. MTSU Tom T. Hall Creative Writers Series and Virginia Peck Fund are sponsoring this year’s Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/media/calendar.php or contact (615) 898-8490 or media@mtsu.edu.

Oct. 19–22 – Haunted Hayride
Join Old Scream Road, Murfreesboro’s scariest hayride, at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) from dark to 9 p.m. Oct. 19–22. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call (615) 890-5333.

The photography of Steve McCurry

Through Oct. 20 – Work of Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic figures in contemporary photography for more than 30 years. McCurry has created unforgettable images over six continents. His body of work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture, with perhaps his most noted work being the image of the Afghan girl. The gallery is located in the Bragg Media and Entertainment building on MTSU campus and is open from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 – Doors of Hope’s Firefly Supper
The second annual Firefly Supper benefiting Doors of Hope, held Thursday, Oct. 20, will be held at the Barn at Stone Gate (714 Floraton Rd.) and will feature farm-to-table meals from chefs Mitchell Murphree of Five Senses, Brett Corrieri of MAFIAoZA’S, Michael DeChirico and Tom Goodner of Adams Place Independent Living and Michael O’Bannon, Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church. Doors of Hope helps rebuild lives following incarceration in hopes of lowering recidivism in Rutherford County. Doors of Hope will soon launch The Red Door, a social entrepreneurship venture, with a catering company providing jobs for their clients. To learn more, contact (615) 900-0634 or stephdrk@gmail.com, or visit opendoorsofhope.org.

Oct. 20 – The Connection, Business Networking at Mayday
The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Mayday Brewery, 521 Old Salem Rd. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small-business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. An open roundtable discussion will encourage participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month.

Oct. 21 and 22 – Barfield Halloween Bash and Twilight Trail
Enjoy games, prizes, costume contests, candy, food, music, dancing and cakewalks at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) Join a happy hayride in the back country with games, puppet shows, story time, live animals and fun for the whole family at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) from 5–7 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22. (Hayride admission is $4 per person.) For more information, call (615) 890-5333.

Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29 – Ghost Tours
Join a haunted tour of the Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) with ghost stories and hayrides from 7–10 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult 12 and up and $5 for ages 5–11. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

Oct. 21 – Nashville Networking Business Luncheon
Make connections at Murfreesboro’s Networking Luncheon, held the third Friday of every month from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at Murfreesboro Gondolier (219 NW Broad St.). RSVP at (615) 569-0109 or LoriG123@gmail.com. For more information, visit nashvillenetworkingbusinessluncheon.com.

Oct. 22 – 40th Annual Harvest Days Celebration
Celebrate fall in true pioneer fashion with music, clogging, pottery demonstrations, broom making, crafters, food vendors, hayrides, blacksmith demonstrating, an antique auto show and an art league show at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Admission is free. For more information, contact (615) 890-0355 or shodges@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 22 and 29 – Sam Davis Fall Festival

Oct. 22 and 29 – Sam Davis Fall Festival
Enjoy tours, stories, food, vendors, games and trick or treating at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29. Admission is $5 per guest. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

Oct. 22 – Fiber in the ’Boro

Oct. 22 – Fiber in the ’Boro
Come out for Fiber in the ’Boro at Lane Agri-Park (315 John Rice Blvd.) from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. The day will include various vendors and workshops on spinning, knitting, crocheting, making lace, silk, dying and more. For more information, visit fiberintheboro.com.

Oct. 25 – Free Speech on Campus Discussion
Join a controversial discussion at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the JUB Tennessee Room as the John Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies hosts a panel discussion about the role of free speech on campus. Should students be protected through university policy from offensive or hateful speech? What happens when values about hate speech and free speech collide? The panel includes Ken Paulson, dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment and a First Amendment expert; Joseph Cohn, legislative and policy director of Foundation for Individual Rights in Education; and Northwestern University communications professor Laura Kipnis, who underwent a Title IX investigation for writing a controversial article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/media/calendar.php or contact (615) 898-5171.

Oct. 25 – Stones River Woodworkers
Stones River Woodworkers meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the North Boulevard Church of Christ (1112 N. Rutherford Blvd.) featuring Tom Cowan and his making of miniature furniture. Refreshments served, all are invited. For more information, call (615) 890-1889.

Oct. 26 – The Missing Piece
The Nurture Nook, 624 N. Walnut St., hosts a Lunch Connection on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with The Missing Piece as the theme, and with food from Milano II. For more information, call (615) 896-7110, or visit facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or nurturenook.com.

Oct. 26 – Peter Guralnick Lecture
Acclaimed author, biographer, music historian and critic Peter Guralnick will come to MTSU at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the MTSU McWherter Learning Resource Center. Guralnick has written award-winning books on Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and Robert Johnson; his latest book is Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ’n’ Roll. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/media/calendar.php.

Oct. 27 – Community Prayer Breakfast
The annual “One Nation Under God” Community Prayer Breakfast sponsored by The Exchange Clubs of Murfreesboro will be Thursday, Oct. 27, at Embassy Suites starting at 6:30 a.m. The keynote speaker is State Sen. Mark Green, a West Point graduate, and heavily decorated Special Forces veteran from Operation Red Dawn. He is a surgeon who spent the first night of observation with Saddam Hussein upon his capture. Others offering words will be Vincent Woodrow and MTSU men’s basketball head coach Kermit Davis. This program not only aims to increase appreciation of our rich religious heritage, but also seeks to remind Americans that they must always trust in a higher power for guidance, protection and strength. Contact JoAnne Thompson Skidmore at joanne.skidmore@yahoo.com or (615) 641-0121 for table reservations or individual tickets. For more information on The National Exchange Club, visit nationalexchangeclub.org.

Oct. 27 – Experience Day at MTCS
Visit MTCS’s campus (100 E. MTCS Rd.), meet the teachers and shadow classes from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Each student will be hosted by a current MTCS student and get a true feel for a school day at MTCS. For more information, contact monicahelton@mtcscougars.org.

Oct. 28 – Operation Song Showcase
Come out for Operation Song Showcase on Friday, Oct. 28, at Studio A in MTSU’s Bragg Building as The Department of Recording Industry’s Commercial Songwriting concentration led by Odie Blackmon, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) and Operation Song, an organization that helps veterans and active-duty military tell their stories through the process of songwriting, co-sponsor a day-long songwriting retreat for veterans at MTSU. The songs will be showcased in Studio A. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/media/calendar.php or contact (615) 898-8490 or media@mtsu.edu.

Oct. 28 – Spooky Splash; photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Oct. 28 – Spooky Splash
The Patterson Park Community Center pool (521 Mercury Blvd.) hosts a spookin’ good time on Friday, Oct. 28, from 6–9 p.m. featuring swimming, craft time, pizza and a pudding surprise. Bring a white T-shirt to tie-dye. Ages 7–13. For more information, contact (615) 893-7439 or cclemmons@murfreesborotn.gov.

Oct. 29 – School of Rock
Participate in fun projects and learn about different aspects of geology at Earth Experience: The Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History (816 Old Salem Rd.) from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Admission is $10 per child. For more information, call (615) 605-1417 or visit theearthexperience.org.

Oct. 29 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Take the first step to a world without Alzheimer’s at MTSU Track and Soccer Field (1848 Blue Raider Dr.) for a 2.8-mile walk. All funds raised further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. For more information, contact (615) 315-5880 or mlthomas@alz.org.

Oct. 31 – Fall Celebration and Hayride
Come out and enjoy an afternoon filled with fun, stories, games, laughs, hayrides and candy at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 2–5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Admission is $2 per person. For more information, contact (615) 890-0355 or shodges@murfreesborotn.gov.

Through Nov. 4 – Apples for Sight Fundraiser
For a $100 donation, receive a box of delicious Gala apples from the Murfreesboro Lioness Club. Proceeds benefit the Lions Sight Conservation projects, including eye screenings for children from 1–6 years old, detecting eye diseases and providing correction. The Club also funds an annual MTSU scholarship for a sight-impaired student and donates to Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service, which funds cataract surgeries at the Tennessee Lions Eye Center at Vanderbilt Hospital; it also donates to Tennessee School for the Blind and Leader Dog, which provides service dogs for the blind and sight-impaired. For more information or to order a box, contact (615) 512-0500, (615) 893-3129 or (615) 896-1007.