West Broadway Avenue closes to traffic and opens to ghosts, goblins and a whole lot of candy this Friday, October 30, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The Spooktacular Extravaganza, put on by Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks & Recreation, fills downtown with trick-or-treating at local businesses, a street dance party, carnival games and the annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest.
Admission is free. The only cost is a $5 entry fee if you want your dog in the costume contest. Kids and adults alike are welcome to come in costume.
We caught up with Kelly Forster of Parks & Rec this week to get the inside scoop on what to expect.
This is the 13th year for Spooktacular, and the formula still works: downtown businesses and vendors line a designated stretch of West Broadway and hand out treats from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Kids should come in costume with their own candy bag or bucket. Forster said 65 businesses and organizations have signed up to hand out candy this year.
Parks & Rec runs carnival games along the route, and everything is free to play.
The street itself turns into a Costume Dance Party, with DJ Squared keeping the music going all night. There is no set program and no set time. Jump out there and dance whenever the mood hits, then wander off for more candy.
The dogs steal the show every year. Registration runs 5:30 to 6:15 PM at the Broadway Methodist Church parking lot, and judging starts at 6:30 PM. Entry is $5 per dog, and every registered dog goes home with a goody bag of dog treats and toys.
Judges will pick winners in six categories: Best in Show, Most Original, Pet & Human Look-Alike, Scariest, Cutest and Funniest. Pet Supplies Plus sponsors the prizes: five $25 gift cards and one $50 gift card for Best in Show.
There is still time to enter. You can register online ahead of time or sign up on the spot during the registration window.
A few ground rules from Parks & Rec: dogs must be on a leash at all times and comfortable around crowds, costumes and other dogs. If your pup is skittish or reactive, leave them home this time. Owners are responsible for their pets and for cleaning up after them.
At 7:00 PM, head to the top level of the Maryville Municipal Parking Garage for the Costume Showcase. Forster was clear that this one is not a contest. There are no winners or losers, just a chance for anyone in costume to take a turn in the spotlight and soak up some cheers. Kids and adults are both welcome, and you can sign up on the night, no advance registration needed.
Three hours of trick-or-treating on a Friday evening means somebody is going to get hungry, and we asked the question so you don’t have to: there will be food beyond candy. Trash Panda, a Texas barbecue truck and an ice cream truck will be set up for the evening, so you can make a night of it without a detour for dinner.
Street closures. West Broadway Avenue will most likely be closed to traffic by 4:45 PM Friday so the street can be set up, and it stays closed through the end of the event. If downtown is on your way home from work, plan a different route. Parking details and a map of where everything is set up are on the Parks & Rec event page.
No starting line. This is the question Parks & Rec hears most, so here is the answer: there is no central entry point, check-in table or starting line. Show up anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 PM, jump in wherever you land and work your way around the loop. The only sign-ups are for the dog contest and the costume showcase.
Costumes for everyone. Kids and adults alike are welcome to dress up, so parents, don’t let the little ones have all the fun. Masks are allowed, too.
Crowds. Forster said the event typically draws about 6,000 people, including 1,500 to 2,000 kids, so expect a busy street, especially between 6:00 and 7:30 PM when the dog contest and showcase overlap with peak trick-or-treating. Strollers and wagons are fine, but keep a hand on little ones in the crowd.
Weather. The event goes on rain or shine. If rain is in the forecast, some activities move under cover into the Maryville Municipal Parking Garage or get modified. As of Wednesday, Friday’s forecast looks friendly: a high near 75°F with only a 10% chance of rain, cooling into the 50s by the time trick-or-treating wraps up. Bring a light jacket for the little ones.
Questions. Call Parks & Rec at 865-983-9244 or email info@parksrec.com.
| What | 13th annual Spooktacular Extravaganza |
|---|---|
| When | Friday, October 30, 2026, 5:00–8:00 PM |
| Where | West Broadway Avenue, downtown Maryville |
| Street closure | West Broadway likely closed to traffic by 4:45 PM |
| Cost | Free; $5 to enter a dog in the costume contest |
| Food | Trash Panda, a Texas barbecue truck and an ice cream truck |
| Dog contest | Register 5:30–6:15 PM, judging at 6:30 PM, Broadway Methodist Church parking lot |
| Costume Showcase | 7:00 PM, top level of the Maryville Municipal Parking Garage; sign up on the night |
| Rain plan | Rain or shine; some activities move into the parking garage |
| Event page, parking & map | parksrec.com/special-events/spooktacular-extravaganza |
| Map of activities | 2026 Spooktacular map (PDF) |
| Dog contest sign-up | Register online |
Spooktacular has become one of those nights that makes downtown Maryville feel like a small town in the best way. We’ve been in years past, and it is a blast. Grab the kids (and the dog), pick a costume, and we’ll see you on Broadway Friday night.
Thanks to Kelly Forster and the Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks & Recreation team for talking with us about the event.
