Autumn is definitely in the air. As the days shorten, we observe multi-colored leaves scuttling along the windswept terrain. We enjoy breezy evenings, the wind rattling our windows, as we snuggle closer to the roaring fire and sip hot cocoa. We hear excited children, dressed in their favorite movie hero getup, as they enjoy another installment of the age-old All Hallows’ Eve.
The holiday will be well-spent this year at various localities inside the county. Kicking off the season is the sixth annual Candlelight Tour at the Old Jail, slated for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 21-22.
Aptly named “Ghosts of Prisoners Past,” the tour will no doubt whet the appetites for more things ghoulish as participants get an up-close and personal lesson in the history of county corrections.
Small groups will be taken through the historic structure during the two-day, three-hour per night event for a nominal cost of $5 per adult and $3 per child 12 years of age and under.
Proceeds will be used to further the restoration project of the Old Jail and in support of the Claiborne County Historical and Genealogical Society, the nonprofit organization spearheading the event.
The city of New Tazewell will be holding its annual Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22. The downtown Main Street festival will include a Halloween Costume Contest, slated for 3 to 5 p.m. that day. The Miss Harvest Fest pageant will precede the festival and will be held Oct. 20. For more information on either event contact the Chamber of Commerce at 423-626-4149.
The Claiborne County Public Library is hosting a Halloween Bash from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 29. Children of all ages are invited to don their costumes for a fun-filled two hours of games, snacks, story time and much more.
The Town of Cumberland Gap has, for the last several years, gone ‘all out’ for the occasion. This year will be no different, beginning with the popular “Pumpkin Lights Festival,” slated for Oct. 28-30.
The annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, held during the Pumpkin Lights Festival, allows artists an outlet for their talents and the chance to win cash prizes and gift certificates from the Gap Creek Coffee House and Angelo’s in the Gap.
One lucky winner will even win a one-hour dance party at the Pineapple Tea Room.
To qualify for the contest, artisans must have their entries at Festival Park, located beside the Artists’ Cooperative on Colwyn Street, by 6 p.m. on Oct. 28. The opening of the pumpkin must be on the bottom so that a candle may be easily placed inside. For safety reasons, town officials recommend lining the inside of the pumpkin with petroleum jelly.
A contact name and phone number, along with the name of the school if applicable, must be written on the backside of each pumpkin.
The Gap will observe Trick or Treat hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. All manner of goodies will be distributed at Berkau Park.
The city of Tazewell will be distributing sweets in celebration of Halloween from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. City officials encourage everyone to come out to the event, to be held at the Tazewell Municipal Park.
The city of Tazewell’s hours for trick-or-treating will be Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Harrogate Senior Center will be hosting its annual Halloween party beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 31.
For more information about these and other special events, check out Area Happenings inside this and future editions of the Claiborne Progress.
Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.
