Hey friends, happy Thursday! The Chattanooga Airport just landed another nine million dollars from the state for its new parking garage, the Tennessee Aquarium broke ground on a brand new animal hospital, and CARTA is handing out free rides to this weekend's Trunk or Treat. Add a haunted farm, a gravediggers ball, two full days of trick or treating and a Thursday soul night that might become your new favorite tradition, plus a pizza spot and a brewery we cannot stop thinking about, and this might be our spookiest issue yet.
Let's get to it!
Local Stories
✈️ Chattanooga Airport Lands Another $9M for New Parking Garage
The Chattanooga Airport has received another round of funding from the State of Tennessee for its new parking garage. On Tuesday, October 27, the Airport announced an additional $9,255,200 in state grants, bringing its total support for the project past $22 million. The garage will cost $35 million in all, which means the state is covering about 95 percent of the bill.
The new structure will add 1,600 parking spaces and give the airport a second garage altogether. Officials say passenger numbers keep climbing every year and the extra capacity is needed to keep travel comfortable and safe. The garage is slated to open in February 2027.
"We are extremely grateful to all of our partners at the State of Tennessee, and most notably State Senator Bo Watson for his continued investment and commitment to our airport," said President and CEO April Cameron. More info here.
🐠 Tennessee Aquarium Breaking Ground on New $5M Animal Hospital
The Tennessee Aquarium announced a major new veterinary program this week, anchored by a $5 million, 3,000 square foot animal hospital going up inside the River Journey building. The full service facility will handle everything from routine exams to recovery, backed by an expanded veterinary team.
The program also builds a new partnership with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Chattanooga State's Veterinary Technology Program, giving students hands on training with the Aquarium's rare freshwater species. Half of all future externships will go to fourth year UTCVM students, alongside internships, fellowships and residencies down the road.
"In the next 10 years, through this program, we could have 50, 75, 100 veterinarians who have spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium," said Director of Animal Health Dr. Chris Keller. Demolition on the hospital space has already begun, with the facility set to open next June. More info here.
🚌 CARTA Offering Free Rides to Midtown Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat
Getting to this weekend's spookiest event just got easier. CARTA is partnering with Midtown Connect to offer free rides to the Midtown Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat this Saturday, October 31, from 4:30 to 7:30pm at Eastgate Town Center. Free rides run on Route 4 and CARTA Go from 3 to 9pm, and the Dolly Bus will be there too.
CARTA CEO Charles D. Frazier says transportation should never stand between a family and a community event, and the agency is happy to help everyone get there safely. The festival itself is free and open to the public. More info here.
📍 5704 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN
TOGETHER WITH C&C NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE
🍂 Two Weeks of Frost Warnings and Your Yard Has Not Gotten the Memo
Frost advisories are already rolling in. Your yard has been cooling fast, and it is not bouncing back on its own.
Here's the part nobody tells you: by the time you see the dead patches in spring, the roots underneath have already been struggling since now. Grass and shrubs do not die in April, they die in November and just wait for you to notice.
C&C Nursery and Landscape knows exactly what a Chattanooga yard needs to survive the winter ahead, and it is not guessing, it is a schedule built for the season we are actually having. Beds, pruning, plant installation, full redesign, all handled before the damage is permanent instead of after.
Book a plant installation now and the winter pruning is on them.
☀️ Weather Snapshot
Thursday 75° low 47°
Friday 76° low 49°
Saturday 70° low 55°
Sunday 64° low 52°
Trick or treating weather is looking about as good as it gets, friends. Warm afternoons all week, cool nights for costumes, and no rain in the forecast to ruin a single haunted house or porch light. Grab a light jacket for after dark and enjoy it.
Friday Wrap
Haunted Grounds: Step into a terrifyingly unforgettable Halloween experience at McDonald Farm, where dark folklore, haunted grounds and harvest horrors take over after dusk, family friendly and perfect for the whole crew.
The Chattery's Halloween Open House: Free DIY stations for the whole family, decorate a trick or treat tote, craft a magic wand, make a felt mask, plus complimentary seasonal drinks and some good community hangout time.
Stage Fright Cabaret: Free admission for a night of singing, dancing and Halloween fun at Mainstage Theatre, doors open at 7pm with a dance party running until 10:30.
Gravedigger's Ball: Chattanooga's fifth annual costume party takes over Barrelhouse Ballroom with DJ Scuba Steve, a $1,000 group costume prize and a $500 solo prize, 21 and up, doors at 8pm.
Saturday Insight
Boo on the Block: A free, family friendly Halloween block party with face painting, inflatables, candy and a DJ, no tickets and no cost required.
Literary Costume Party: Dust off your favorite Poe duds or Sherlock shawl for a dollar drink special if you dress as a literary figure, plus bats, blood and a proper scare.
Halloween Spook with Diamond Dogs: A loving, all star tribute to David Bowie at the Tavern, covering everything from "Space Oddity" to "Let's Dance" plus a few deep cuts.
Children's Trick-or-Treat at Charmingfare Farm: A daytime trick or treat route for families with costumed characters, wagon rides, pony rides and pumpkin decorating.
Adult Coloring at Plant Bar: Pull up a chair, pick a page and color from 4 to 8pm, pages and supplies provided, bring a friend and order a drink.
TOGETHER WITH THE SWEET AND SAVORY CLASSROOM
🎂 We Saved You a Seat at the Table
Hands on in the kitchen.
A few spots are still open in our hands on classes, and if you have ever wanted to cook something that actually looks like something, this is your shot.
Your Chef Instructor walks you through it start to finish, real ingredients, real technique, and a dish you will actually make again, not just a photo for later.
Every reservation leaves with a full plate, so however it turns out, you are leaving with dinner.
Spots are limited and filling up, grab yours before they're gone.
🔮 Look Ahead
🥾 Beginner-Friendly Hike
Sunday, November 1 | Big Soddy Creek Gulf | More Info
A free, beginner friendly hike with Rooted Paths Outdoor Club and Outdoor Chattanooga, wear sturdy shoes and bring water for a welcoming morning on the trail.
🎃 Haunted Market
Sunday, November 1 | Chattanooga Market | More Info
The Chattanooga Market stays in the Halloween spirit with its annual Trick-or-Treat and Costume Parade, vendors handing out candy all day and a costume parade at 1:30pm on the Sunday Funday Stage.
✍️ Eastgate Young Authors (Grades 3 to 8)
Monday, November 2 | Eastgate Library | Free | More Info
Young writers meet weekly to build creative writing skills, explore new genres and work on longer projects in a supportive, imaginative setting.
🩺 Mammogram Bus Visit
Tuesday, November 3 | Wolfe's Den | Call to schedule | More Info
A mobile mammography bus offering on site screening, call 423-495-4040 to schedule an appointment.
🎶 Active Older Adults (55+) Music Jam
Tuesday, November 3 | Red Bank Community Center | Free | More Info
A free weekly music jam for ages 55 and up, bring an instrument or just come to soak in the tunes from 1 to 3pm.
🎷 Scenic City Soul Night Thursdays
Thursdays | The Woodshop | $17 | More Info
A weekly soul and Motown series led by Bryant "Bass Hitter" Russell and his band, with guest vocalists, elevated cocktails and soul food every Thursday starting at 8pm.
Together with The Blade Partners
Closets By Design: If you're constantly rearranging your closet and it still never feels right, it's not you, it's the space. Upgrade your closet.
C&C Nursery and Landscape: Overgrown yard? Schedule a plant installation and get free late season pruning. Get a free quote.
Restoration 1 of Chattanooga: Late summer humidity can bring out mold in places you're not checking. Get a free estimate.
M.B.D Janitorial Services: Local, reliable office and commercial cleaning that keeps your space client ready. Get a quote.
The Sweet and Savory Classroom: Book a class this month and use code KnifeSkills for a free Knife Skills online class.
Where To Eat
Fiamma Pizza Company: Okay friends, if you have not had a pie out of Fiamma's wood burning oven yet, this is your sign. Everything is cooked in a one hundred percent wood fired Italian brick oven, with dough made daily, fresh plum tomatoes and house made mozzarella doing all the heavy lifting. It is the real deal Neapolitan experience on the Northshore, and the kind of place that makes you want to linger over one more slice before you call it a night.
📍 405 N Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Wood fired Neapolitan pizza at Fiamma Pizza Company
Chattanooga Brewing Company: For the brewery pick this week, we are pointing you to the one that started it all. Originally founded back in 1890 and revived decades later, Chattanooga Brewing Company helped kickstart the city's whole craft beer scene. The Chattanooga IPA is the easy order, and it pairs perfectly with a pizza or a burger off their menu. The West Village taproom is about as easy going as brewery hangouts get, great for a group or a lazy game day afternoon.
📍 730 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Inside the taproom at Chattanooga Brewing Company
That's a wrap, friends. Dress up, trick or treat safely, and we will see you out there this weekend. Forward this to a friend so they do not miss a single haunted house or Motown night. Catch you next Thursday 💛
More From The Blade
Previous Issue: Things To Do In Chattanooga This Weekend October 9 to October 15
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