Free things this weekend: Haunted Museum, Pumpkinfest, flea market and more

The Tennessean

The closer we get to Halloween, the more free things there are to do. Here's a sampling of the weekend offerings.

Haunted Museum Storytelling Fest

The Tennessee State Museum's annual Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. There will be chilling ghost stories from Tennessee’s past, as well as snacks, games, art activities and costume parades

Plus the Nashville Public Library's Puppet Truck will be on-site to present "The Ordeal of Dr. Trifulgus." This adaptation of author Jules Verne’s short story tells the dark tale of a bitter old doctor who learns a valuable lesson. Recommended for ages eight and up. Shows are at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. The museum is at 1000 Rosa Parks Blvd.

Details: tnmuseum.org

Pumpkinfest

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County's 36th annual Pumpkinfest celebrates fall and Halloween from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday along and around Main Street in downtown Franklin, with live entertainment, a Great Pumpkin display, arts and crafts vendors, extreme pumpkin-carving and costume contests for kids, pets and grown-ups. Last year it attracted more than 65,000 people.

Details: williamsonheritage.org/pumpkinfest

Ashley and Kurt Coalmer walk in a costume parade with their twin daughters, Charlotte Grace and Ava Monroe. The Coalmer's dressed their 6-month-old daughters as Cabbage Patch Kids for a children's costume contest, which they won first place at the 35th annual Pumpkinfest in downtown Franklin on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

Flea market weekend

The Nashville Flea Market will have its second sales weekend in the new expo space at Fairgrounds Nashville Friday through Sunday. The October market which is almost always the biggest of the year, is themed "Autumn Spectacular." The new Expo is down the hill from the old flea market space. Admission is free, parking $5.

Details: http://www.thefairgrounds.com/fleamarket/index.asp

The Nashville Flea Market opened in its new space in September. This weekend's market will be the second sale in the new $37.5 million Expo Center at Fairgrounds Nashville.

Sylvia Franks, of Antioch, checks out one of the vendors in the outdoor area of the new Nashville Flea Market Sept. 27, 2019.

More:Ms. Cheap's 17 tips for shopping at flea markets

Jack Daniel's BBQ fest

The 31st annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue is Friday and Saturday in Lynchburg. There will be live music, barbecue cooking competitions, games (butt bowling, bung toss and a country dog contest) and a lots of sampling.

Details: www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/BBQ

Cannonsburgh Harvest Days

The 43rd Harvest Days Celebration is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro. The event celebrates fall in pioneer fashion with old-time music (including Uptown Country Band, Cripple Creek Cloggers and South 231 band), and clogging, hayrides, a craft fair, blacksmithing, broom making, an antique car show, an art league show, food trucks and a Riverchase Posse Gun Show.

Cannonsburgh Village is a living history museum of Southern life from 1800-1925. You can see an authentic gristmill, a log home, a general store and other reminders of pioneer times. There is also a creek and an easy trail. It is open Tuesday-Sunday.

Details: murfreesborotn.gov or 615-890-0355

More:Free Halloween events in Nashville are a treat for your family and your wallet

Artclectic

University School of Nashville's annual Arclectic juried art show and sale includes the free ArtBash community party from 6-9 p.m. Friday and the art show and Popclectic Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. USN is at 2000 Edgehill Ave.

Details: artclectic.org

Free creativity event

Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing's 9th Annual Hands on Creativity Event is from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday.

There will be more than 40 art demonstrations and activities, where all ages can explore new techniques, talk with representatives from major art brands and pick up free samples of the newest products. Creative demos and hands-on activities will include watercolor, drawing, acrylic and oil painting, airbrushing and more. Plaza Art is at 623 Middleton St.

Details: www.plazaart.com

See the Predators practice

If it's hockey you like, the Nashville Predators' practices at Centennial Sportsplex are free and frequently open to the public. Check the website for practice details (which can often come last minute).

Details: www.nhl.com/predators

Free outdoor movie

The city of Brentwood has a free showing of "Aladdin" on a 24 foot by 12 foot inflatable screen in the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater at Crockett Park. Food trucks will be there at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m.

Details: www.brentwoodtn.gov

Sirens and Sweets

Williamson County Parks has a Sirens and Sweets event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Fairview Recreation Complex, 2714 Fairview Blvd. Wear your Halloween costume and trick or treat with local EMS vehicles, meet first responders and see ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and emergency vehicles up close. Plus, there will be games, bounce houses, and treats.

Details: 615-799-9331

Centennial Sportsplex pass sale

Metro Parks Centennial Sportsplex has a Halloween sale Oct. 25 - Nov. 8 where you can buy 20 passes for $105, which is a savings of $35. The passes give you access to swimming, ice skating, the fitness center and offer discounts on tennis court time. The Sportsplex is at 225 25th Ave. N.

Details: www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Centennial-Sportsplex.aspxor 615-862-8480

Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282 or mscheap@tennessean.com. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/mscheap, and at Tennessean.com/mscheap, and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town.”