Nightmare on Gay Street

Best scary family photo - 100 block Gay Street, Knoxville.

Cutest family photo - Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

The (First Annual?) Nightmare on Gay Street terrified the north end of downtown on the 100 Block of Gay Street Friday night. Numerous booths representing businesses and organizations handed out treats, painted faces, carved pumpkins and otherwise scared everyone passing by. A graveyard sat spookily in front of Slam Dot (major sponsor and planner of the event) and a band played at the south end of the block while WNOX broadcast from the other end.

Pumpkin carving at the Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Fortune Telling at the Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Cemetery at the Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

One of the most exciting things I noticed at the event was the fact that small children, teenagers and adults took part with equal enthusiasm. With the block closed to traffic, as it was in the Hola Festival, the setting was perfect for the fun.

Mary Poppins and escort, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Creepy surgeon and nurse, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Bumble Beetle?, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Indigenous Representation, Nightmare on Gay Street

The Joker, Nightmare on Gay Street

There's Waldo!, Nightmare on Gay Street

Teenagers having fun, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

It's Elementary, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

One centerpiece of the fun was a Halloween costume contest which featured intense competition.

Urban Cowgirl spreads her charms in the little tyke costume contest

Teen Costume contest, Nightmare on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Meanwhile, merchants on Market Square handed out treats to the little trick-or-treaters, but sadly, they ran out of candy early. I think the event could easily be a joint venture, with Market Square going a little more all-out next year. One suggestion I would have for any future festivals on the 100 block would be to have identifiable people or stations ready to give out information. This would have been helpful at both the Hola Festival and this event.

Still, it was great fun and I hope events continue to be hosted on the block. As more business open on the western side of the street, it would be a good way to have people realize what the 100 block has to offer - much as Market Square has done with Sundown and other events. With a continued push, the 100 block could begin to give Market Square a run for its money as the go-to place downtown.