Calendar of Events

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is excited to announce its annual event, Can You Dig It?, will take place on October 20, 2024. Hosted in celebration of International Archaeology Day, this free, family-friendly event offers the public a unique opportunity to explore archaeology through hands-on experiences and expert-led activities. Can You Dig It? will be held at the museum from noon to 4 p.m.

Attendees will explore the past through educational programming, crafts, and displays led by University of Tennessee, Knoxville researchers, professors, and graduate students. The event will feature a wide range of engaging activities, including cave art painting, hunter-gatherer games, and excavation experiences.

Traditionally observed in mid-October, International Archaeology Day raises awareness about the study of archaeology through a multitude of events and programs. To celebrate the day, the McClung Museum has partnered with professional archaeologists and units across the UT campus to bring the celebration to the Knoxville community.

New to this year's Can You Dig It?, the McClung Museum has partnered with Knoxville's Historic House Museums to showcase how archaeology continues to provide insights into local history, linking research to the stories behind some of the city's most well-known sites.

Can You Dig It? is free to attend, but tickets are limited, and registration is required. To register, please visit https://tiny.utk.edu/CanYouDigIt24

The McClung Museum has partnered with UT Parking to offer free parking for Can You Dig It? guests in lot S9, located next to the Art and Architecture building on Volunteer Boulevard. Parking in lot S9 is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional campus parking is available at $2 per hour through the ParkMobile app.

10/19 • Ijams Junior Naturalist
10/20 • Orionid Meteor Shower - Guided Program
10/20 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
10/20 • Monthly Bluegrass Jam with ETNBA
10/23 • Ijams After Dark: Hallo-Week at Ijams

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Visitor Center open daily 10-6; grounds and trails open daily from 8 AM - dusk. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Friday, October 18th, 2024 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 19th, 2024 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, October 20th, 2024 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Each year the Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society hosts a Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show to the public. This show is a must-see for any rock connoisseur or anyone with a love and fascination with gems, minerals, fossils, and other mineralogical and geological wonders.

The three -day 33rd Annual Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show opens October 20th at 10 am at the Rothchild Conference Center at 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. Show times are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm October 18th – 19th, Friday and Saturday; from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 20th. The Gem Show is open to the public and has an admission fee of $8 a day for adults or $15 for the whole show; children under 12 are admitted free. The Gem and Mineral Show will have many vendors that offer great products including a wide variety of jewelry, rare fossil and mineral specimens, meteorites, gems of all colors shapes & sizes, lapidary & jewelry equipment, and much more.

The Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society is a non-profit organization. A portion of the proceeds from our annual show is used for educational purposes in the earth sciences. This includes scholarships to the University of Tennessee Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the East Tennessee State University Geoscience Department. https://www.knoxrocks.org/gem-show/

With the arrival of fall, Muse Knoxville is excited to welcome families to a season of fun and learning with a lineup of engaging, fall-inspired programs and events throughout October. From hands-on activities to educational experiences, there’s something for every child to enjoy this season at Muse.

A PEEK AT WHAT’S IN STORE:
• FALLing for STEAM inspired weekly programming takeover - Oct. 8-20

• Murder Mystery at Muse - Oct.18 | 7pm - 10pm | 21+
Solve clues, enjoy delicious appetizers, and sip cocktails as you uncover the culprit in this thrilling 21+ event. A night of suspense, science, and intrigue awaits!

• Family Science Fair - Oct. 26 | 9:30am - 11:30am
We invite families to work together to design a science project and create those aha! moments.

• Sensory Trick or Treat Night - Oct. 31 |5pm-7pm
In partnership with the Autism Society of East Tennessee and Artisan Street Market, we aim to provide a FREE, safe, inclusive, and sensory-friendly Halloween celebration for families.

The Muse Knoxville, 516 N. Beaman Street, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-594-1494, www.themuseknoxville.org

Friday evening, September 27th will mark the 26th consecutive year that Maple Lane Farms will open its Corn Maze and other “agritainment” activities that include tractor-pulled hayrides (daytime and nighttime), pumpkin picking, inflatables for the kids, music, corn hole, food vendors, face painting, photo ops, sunflower fields, and other wholesome family fun to the public!

The Maze is located at 1126 Maple Lane in Greenback, just 14 miles south of Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. The Maze is open weekends from September 27 through October 31. The Haunted Maze begins on weekends starting Friday night Oct 18. Opening hours are the following:

Friday 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday Noon to 6pm, Haunted Noon – 10pm
Haunted Maze Opens nightly, October 18-20, 25-27, 30, 31
Additional Features include: Barn Store Collectibles including Fall/Halloween Decorations, Straw Bales, Cornstalks
Variety of Food and Beverage Vendors
Evening campfires in the Maze Fairway near our Covered Party Tents
Private Parties via Tent Reservation with Fire Pit
Music
Face Painting, Old Time Photo Booth
Numerous Photo Ops, including the Sunflower Fields

Maple Lane Maze is an “authentic agritainment” venue operating since 1999. The farm’s offering continues to be an organic destination for families who love outside adventures mixed with the peacefulness of simply being together sitting around the fire pit and making memories. Many guests have described the farm as a “a fall tradition”. Yes, it is a place seeped deep in tradition. We hope you will join us to start your fall traditions here at Maple Lane Maze. Visit the farm’s website at www.TNMapleLaneFarms.com, Call 865-856-3511 or www.Facebook.com/tnmaplelanefarms/ www.Instagram.com/MapleLaneMaze/