Note: no need to R.S.V.P. if you're not a member of Nashville Hiking Meetup (although we'd love to have you!). Just drop an email to [masked] with the number of folks you'll be bringing.

Families, why not a trick-or-treat experience that's different than all the rest? How about carving pumpkins while listening to acoustic music on the banks of the Cumberland River?

Join Metro Parks, Nashville Hiking Meetup, and Team Green Adventures as we present HIKETOBER and Pumpkins & Pickin'. It's two free events in one! It all takes place at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway on Saturday, October 27 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Hike the easy, paved Greenway trail in costume and trick-or-treat while learning interesting facts about the park's flora and fauna. Bring a picnic lunch then stick around for the pumpkin carving contest (bring your own pumpkin) while enjoying live music on the Nature Center's back porch.

It's all family friendly; even bring your dog in costume, but make sure Barcula is on a leash!

HIKETOBER and Pumpkins & Pickin' are brought to you by Lightning 100 and Yelp!

DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, October 27
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Perfect for Families/Kids
Location: Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway in East Nashville
Hosts: Nashville Hiking Meetup, Team Green Adventures, Metro Parks
Cost: Free!

If you would like to volunteer to work the event, please email [masked].

Agenda:
10:00 a.m. - noon: HIKETOBER
Parents, kids, and dogs dressed in costume hike the short, paved loop. Along the way, folks stop at stations manned by Metro Parks staff to learn factoids about the park and what's going on as plants and animals get ready for autumn/winter. Kids trick-or-treat along the way and get a healthy treat or trinket. Get kids and parents outside and exposed to the park & greenway. Bikes/strollers/roller blades allowed. Leashed, costumed dogs welcomed!

Noon - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch - Bring your picnic lunch and blanket

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Pumpkins and Pickin'
Enjoy the October tradition of pumpkin carving outside of the nature center during one of our Back Porch Picking Parties! You can bring a pumpkin if you would like to participate in the carving, we will have the tools. If you want to pick around, bring a string instrument…or if you care to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of being outside surrounded by nature while listening to music. Also, there will be a prize for the best pumpkin carved! (Leader: Christie Wiser)

Location information:
Shelby Park is in East Nashville on the Cumberland River, approximately 3 miles off of the I-24 and Shelby Street exit near LP Field. The parking area is in the rear of the park near the railroad trestle (drive under trestle).