Discovery Park of America

10/14/2026

A new episode of “Reelfoot Forward” is here.

Retired West Tennessee trial lawyer and author Jim Emison makes another appearance on the podcast to discuss his new book, “Murder on the Hatchie: The NAACP’s First Martyr.”

Emison shares the story behind his decade-long research into the 1940 killing of Elbert Williams and the historical discoveries that helped bring this little-known chapter of West Tennessee history to light.

This episode is sponsored by Cape Electrical Supply.

Listen to the full episode below.

Retired West Tennessee trial lawyer and author Jim Emison returns to “Reelfoot Forward” to discuss his new book, "Murder on the Hatchie: The NAACP’s First Martyr." The book tells the largely forgotten story of Elbert Williams, a Black civil rights activist who helped organize the Brownsville-H...

10/14/2026

Bring your own instrument and jam with us at the 2026 David Crockett Homestead And Bluegrass Festival on Oct. 23-24, free of cost.

Community Jam Sessions are a way for musicians of all levels to come together, connect and create music in a casual and supportive environment. Jam sessions bring musicians from all walks of life together.

The weekend’s community jam sessions will be led by Mulberry Jam, supported in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Discovery Park of America.

10/13/2026

We are just one month away from our Let it Glow Kick Off on Nov. 13.

Guests will enjoy holiday performances throughout the evening, including the Voices of Union City Elementary student choir, an ensemble and vocalist from the Jackson Symphony, and the Discovered Voices Community Choir.

Santa Claus also will make a special appearance before the celebration culminates in the lighting of “Let it Glow” and an exciting countdown to the start of the season.

Admission is $5 for the general public. Discovery Park members receive free admission. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The 2026 Let It Glow Light Show, Drive-Thru and Walk-Thru is sponsored by McDonald's and ATA of Union City.

10/12/2026

Discovery Park is participating in the Tennessee STEAM Festival this weekend, Oct. 16-17.

Here's a list of programs our education team is hosting:
Friday:
•Jaws of Life vs. Jaws of Death
•Dracula’s Cabin: An Escape Room Experience
•Cardboard Boat Regatta & Canstruction 101
•Bring Back that Fossil

Saturday:
•Dracula’s Cabin: An Escape Room Experience
•Rate that Quake

The 2026 STEAM Festival at Discovery Park is free with Discovery Park admission or membership.

10/11/2026

Members, join us at Pumpkin Village on Monday, Oct. 26, for a special Members-Only Halloween Movie Night featuring "Hocus Pocus 2."

Enjoy an evening of trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, prizes and a movie under the stars. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a festive fall evening.

This event is exclusive to Discovery Park members, with a special invitation extended to University of Tennessee at Martin students, faculty and staff and their families.

Member-Only Movie Nights are sponsored by Premier Primary Care and Larcom Air.

10/11/2026

The Dead Tree Desperados, a cowboy reenactment group known for staged Old West action and humor, will stage an interactive train robbery aboard Discovery Park’s vintage train during the David Crockett Homestead And Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24.

This program will be free with park admission or membership.

10/11/2026

Check out Discovery Park's new Enlightenment Gallery, “The Ancient World Unearthed: Artifacts from the Biblical Archaeology Museum.”

Through objects once used in daily life, visitors can discover how ancient people worked, traded, communicated, worshipped and recorded their stories.

The artifacts are on loan from Brent and Angie MacDonald of the Biblical Archaeology Museum in Nashville. The exhibit will remain open through Aug. 26, 2027.

10/10/2026

What a morning for the 2026 Discovery Dash.

The rain held off, and our runners showed up ready to hit the course for the 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run.

A huge thank you to everyone who ran, cheered and helped make this year’s race such a success. And a special shoutout to our emcee, Mark Anderson II, for bringing the excitement to the starting line and beyond.

Thank you to our sponsors: Thompson Cat Rentals, Higher Ground Coffee Co., Vantage Coffee Roasters, Martin Running Company, Dynamix Physical Therapy and Sonic Drive-In.

View the full Flickr gallery here: https://bit.ly/3TWOH0D

10/10/2026

Few spots remain for Homeschool Day on Oct. 13.

The day will feature the legacy of early explorers and frontiersmen like Christopher Columbus and David Crockett.

Purchase tickets using the link below.

Discovery Park of America invites homeschool families to continue the 2026 Homeschool Day season with another hands-on learning experience designed specifically for students. Homeschool Days offer two convenient session options, giving families flexibility when planning their day. October Theme: Ear...