Urban Knoxville: Vols football and Oktoberfest will make you 'fall' in love with downtown
This week's Urban Knoxville newsletter comes to you from Ryan Wilusz, downtown reporter and urban explorer at knoxnews.com. Like our work? Share our free weekly newsletter with a friend.
The first fall flannel covers my torso as I daydream of pumpkin spice, haunted houses and maybe (just maybe) a historically successful season for Vols football. Only time will tell on that last one, but there's no need to wait around for the weather to cool in order to celebrate the finest season of the year.
For me, it all starts with Oktoberfest, which already is underway at Schulz Bräu Brewing Company. Visit the German brewery north of downtown for music, stein-hoisting contests and entertainment on the big screen.
But let's be real ... while the brewery offers one of the best game-day viewing experiences for Vols football, there's no better way to cheer on the Big Orange than by visiting campus on game days.
Even if you don't have tickets to the Florida game on Saturday (and trust me, I don't blame you with those resale prices), check out "ESPN College GameDay" coming to Ayres Hall. The stage has been built, and we have a timelapse video. Can't wait to see a celebrity guest join the show.
You never know who might show up, which especially is true if you believe in ghosts. Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours has a variety of options to educate customers about the afterlife.
When it comes to haunted-house attractions, downtown sadly has nothing to offer that I know about (just think how cool a haunted house in the former Lay Packing Co. facility would have been). However, there are plenty of options in driving distance, including FrightWorks in Powell, Dead Man's Farm in Philadelphia and Frightmare Manor in Talbott.
Those looking for a family-friendly experience will be happy to know the same goes for pumpkin patches, corn mazes and apple picking. Trending news reporter Devarrick Turner put together this list, as well as some top picks for fall festivals and fairs happening in East Tennessee.
I know plenty of other fall traditions exist, and we would love to hear how you plan on experiencing the season. You can reach out to me on Instagram and give me a follow at @knoxscruff. You also can read my latest work by clicking here.
Signing off and staying scruffy, I'm Ryan Wilusz. Cheers to the weekend!
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Fall in downtown Knoxville: Halloween, Oktoberfest and Vols football
