🎃 Your Guide to Nashville in October

🌊 Middle Tennessee First Responders Lend a Hand

Middle Tennessee first responders have flocked to help our East Tennessee neighbors in the aftermath of the recent devastating flooding, including MNPD officers and the Nashville Fire Department. TEMA asks civilians to hold off traveling to the affected areas to volunteer and donate supplies until they are safe. [NewsChannel 5]

🏛️ Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn Dies

Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn died on Saturday at the age of 97. Dunn became the first Republican Tennessee governor in more than 50 years when he was elected in 1970. He established the Department of Economic and Community Development and statewide public kindergarten. [Tennessee Lookout]

🏫 Many Sources Contributed to TSU’s Financial Distress

Tennessee State University’s financial woes stem from numerous sources, including $2.1 billion in underfunding from the U.S. Department of Education, extra costs during a 2023 attendance boom, and tornado insurance adjustments after the 2020 tornado. [The Tennessean]

⚽ GEODIS Park To Host FIFA Club World Cup Game

GEODIS Park will be one of 12 venues hosting the FIFA Club World Cup Game, which will take place from June 15-July 13, 2025. “[T]his moment reflects the growth of soccer in the U.S. and solidifies Nashville’s place as a premier destination for world-class soccer,” says Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. [NewsChannel 5]

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October is here, and Nashville has a bucket full of festive treats this month and very few tricks (it wouldn’t be October without a few tricks!). The City Cast Nashville team has rounded up the activities we’re most looking forward to this month, and there are even more on the podcast!

👻 Get in the Halloween Spirit

Spend a day at a pumpkin patch for classic fall farm fun, from corn mazes to hayrides, and come home with pumpkins ready to be carved into jack-o-lanterns.

Go to a Halloween-themed show, like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Belcourt, Nashville Ballet’s performance of “Dracula,” and The Conjuring Comedy Festival starring our very own producer Marie Cecile Anderson.

Fully embrace fear by touring the Historic Bell Witch Cave or going to a haunted house, like Nashville Nightmare and Beast House.

Kids will love Boo at the Zoo, which includes a 45-foot Ferris wheel this year, while adults can enjoy BOOze at the Zoo.

🐶 Dogtober

Sorry feline fiends, October is full of treats for our canine friends.

• Pups & Pints Howl-oween is a free dog-themed festival at oneC1TY on Oct. 5. Enjoy a beer garden, pup pampering, costume contest, bark market, and more fun and games. Proceeds benefit the Nashville Humane Association.
• Speaking of the Nashville Humane Association, on Oct. 19 they’re hosting Dog Day at Centennial Park, with agility contests, a doggie fun zone, a children’s play area, and more.
• Cheekwood celebrates the season with a Halloween Pooch Party on Oct. 26-27. Bring your very good girl/boy with or without a costume for plenty of photo ops and fun. The theme of this year’s costume contest is your favorite female art icon in dog form. I can’t wait to see these costumes!

🗳️ Prepare To Vote

The Nov. 5 election is right around the corner. Register to vote by Oct. 7. Early voting is Oct. 16-31. Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by Oct. 29. Check out your ballot and start researching candidates. We’ll have a transit referendum explainer and a guide to the ballot in forthcoming Hey Nashville newsletters this month, plus podcast episodes with candidates.