Freaky Friday Fright Nite set at MBL Park
Get out those ghoul costumes for 25th Annual Freaky Friday Fright Nite, a free event that returns and will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at Mayor Bob Leonard Park.
“We are so excited for Freaky Friday Fright Nite again,” Farragut Special Events and Program coordinator Brittany Spencer said. “Having it at Mayor Bob Leonard Park is great because it lets all of the vendors and participants spread out throughout the park.
“We are also able to do Game Land and cookie decorating,” she added. “This is also a great way for the public to come to the park for something other than sports or walking on the trail, and it is fun for the whole family.”
Children ages 12 and under are invited to “trick or treat” on the walking trail while local businesses, community groups and Town of Farragut volunteers hand out treats and offer games with prizes and cookie decorating.
“We will have 27 treat stations – 30 vendors total,” Spencer said. “Game Land and cookie decorating are sponsored by First Baptist Concord.
“New this year are two food trucks, Hot Dog Hut and Kona Ice of West Knoxville, that will have drinks and snacks available for purchase – with cash or card payments accepted -- by the main entrance to the trail, she added.
Freaky Friday Fright Night has been taking place for more than 20 years at MBLP, but last year,\ it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We always held Freaky Friday at MBLP except for last year, in 2020, when we did the Freaky Friday Drive-Thru Boo on Jamestowne Boulevard,” Spencer said.
Although the festivities are free, Spencer said participants are asked to bring items benefiting the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House, which provides a “home away from home” for families with critically ill children who are being served by area hospitals.
“We’re honored and delighted to once again partner with the Town of Farragut for their Freaky Friday event, as we’re always happily overwhelmed to receive the outpouring of loving support from our community ... support that ultimately touches the lives of so many in need,” said Sue Beverly, director of the local Ronald McDonald House.
“Collection stations will be located next to the cookie decorating area off the main parking lot on Watt Road and next to the entrance from the Harrison Lane parking lot,” Spencer said.
Suggested donations include individually wrapped snacks, such as crackers, nuts, granola bars and chips; small pudding, applesauce or jello cups; air freshener sprays; Lysol or any disinfectant sprays; 8.5-by-11 copy paper; postage stamps; packing tape; Sharpie markers; LED light bulbs and LED 25-watt small-base candelabra bulbs; individual packets of coffee creamer and sugar; disposable coffee cups; dishwasher detergent; pump-style hand soap; and gift cards, such as Walmart, Target, Food City, Kroger, Lowe’s, Home Depot, ACE Hardware, gas stations or phone cards.
“Cash donations are always gratefully accepted,” Spencer said. “No gift is too small to make a big difference.”
Learn more about the Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville at knoxrmhc.org
For more information about Freaky Friday, contact Spencer at bspencer@townoffarragut.org or 865-218-3378.
She said the event will be held rain or shine; however, in the case of severe inclement weather, check Farragut Parks & Rec on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for status of the event.
