Could Knoxville become a destination for Halloween?
Dustin Durham of the Knoxville All Hallow’s Eve Society thinks the Scruffy City has everything it needs to become the Spooky City every October — and maybe even the “Salem of the South.”
Dustin joins Haley Jones on the Big Orange Business Podcast to share the story behind the Knoxville All Hallow’s Eve Society and its mission to build community through Halloween, new local traditions and a little bit of spooky fun.
They talk about Dustin’s vision for larger-than-life Halloween decorations throughout Knoxville, the possibility of a future Halloween parade, a giant jack-o’-lantern in downtown Knoxville and Tour de Frights, a costumed Halloween bike ride.
And then there’s the Sunsphere. Dustin has heard from multiple people that Knoxville’s most recognizable landmark was once lit to resemble a jack-o’-lantern. He hasn’t been able to track down the photo — but it raises an obvious question: why not do it again?
The conversation also goes deeper than costumes and decorations. Dustin explains why the Society sees Halloween as an opportunity to bring people together, face some of the genuinely scary parts of life as a community and support causes including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Plus, hear the unlikely origin story behind Dustin’s mission to decorate Knoxville for Halloween — involving a landlord who wouldn’t let him decorate his own apartment.
Learn more about the Knoxville All Hallow’s Eve Society:
KAHES.org
Instagram: @SpookyKnox
Special thanks to the Mabry-Hazen House for allowing us to record this episode at their historic Knoxville property. Learn more about the Mabry-Hazen House, its history, tours and events at Mabry-Hazen House.
Big Orange Business, hosted by Knoxville Realtor Haley Jones, introduces you to the people, businesses, organizations and ideas that make Knoxville and East Tennessee such a special place to call home.