What’s inside
Harvest Festival Brings Fall Fun to Historic Downtown Selmer McNairy County Quilt & Craft Trail Returns October 3 Derailed Haunted House Returns This October Fall is brewing in McNairy County Adamsville Gears Up for Fall and Holiday Community Fun
Harvest Festival Brings Fall Fun to Historic Downtown Selmer
Historic Downtown Selmer will celebrate the sights, flavors and traditions of fall with the Harvest Festival, formerly the popular Pumpkin Festival, on Thursday, October 1, from 5–8 p.m. at the Selmer Farmers Market. Now in its ninth year, the free community event will bring families together for an evening of small-town fall fun featuring food trucks, local crafters and artisans, pumpkin painting, games, photo opportunities, a harvest hayride, an antique fire truck and more. Visitors can shop handcrafted goods and boutique finds, enjoy seasonal food and treats, and browse homegrown jams, jellies and produce from area growers. Chainsaw carving demonstrations and other activities will add to the festive atmosphere throughout the evening. Whether you're looking for the perfect pumpkin, something delicious to eat or a unique handmade treasure, the Harvest Festival offers something for the whole family. The Harvest Festival will be held from 5–8 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Selmer Farmers Market, 100 Front Street in Selmer. Admission is free. For more information, contact the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce at (731) 645-6360 or jessica@mcnairy.com.
McNairy County Quilt & Craft Trail Returns October 3 McNairy County will celebrate its quilting traditions, local artistry and community heritage during the McNairy County Quilt & Craft Trail on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are invited to travel throughout the county to discover historic and contemporary quilts, quilting demonstrations, local crafts, art and special exhibits at participating locations in Selmer, Bethel Springs and Adamsville. Stops include First Christian Church, where visitors can view quilts and vote for the People’s Choice Award; Needles-n-Pins, featuring quilts, quilted items and a quilting demonstration; A Lil’ Stitchin Post in Adamsville; Nellie Bea’s Gifts, offering quilts and a quilting demonstration; Arts in McNairy, presenting the exhibit Beauty & Sorrow: Cotton Fields & Quilts; and the Selmer Farmers Market, where craft and produce vendors will gather. A special presentation remembering the late Linda Smith, Underground Railroad and Flour Sack Clothing, will be shown at noon.
31 October 2022 edition
When darkness falls over the railroad tracks in Ramer this October, something frightening will once again be waiting in the shadows. Derailed Haunted House, one of Southwest Tennessee’s most unique Halloween attractions, is preparing to welcome thrill-seekers for another season of screams, scares and things that go bump in the night. Continue reading....................
Located at 4385 Highway 57 West in Ramer, Derailed will be open every Friday and Saturday in October from 7-11 p.m., giving visitors plenty of opportunities to climb aboard for a Halloween experience they won’t soon forget. And in 2026, Halloween itself falls on a Saturday — meaning guests can spend Halloween night, October 31, inside Derailed. A Haunt That Has Earned National Attention Derailed isn’t simply a hometown haunted house. The Ramer attraction has received attention far beyond McNairy County, having been featured by Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, Coaster Nation, Entertainment Designer, Phys.org and The Houses That October Built. Forbes has recognized Derailed among notable Halloween attractions in America, while The Houses That October Built 2 helped introduce the Ramer haunt to horror fans across the country. Derailed has also drawn attention for incorporating technology into the haunted-house experience while maintaining the atmosphere, live interaction and unpredictability that make a traditional haunt so much fun. Two Haunts — Two Very Different Nightmares Derailed features two distinctly different haunted experiences. Vengeance is the signature attraction and delivers the classic haunted-house experience on a large scale. Highly detailed sets combine with live actors, animatronics and unexpected scares to create an immersive journey through one nightmare after another. Rather than being rushed through in a continuous line, the attraction is self-paced, allowing guests to take in their surroundings — assuming they’re brave enough to look around. Then there is Terror Town in 3-D, which takes the experience in an entirely different direction. Terror Town surrounds visitors with mind-bending 3-D artwork transformed beneath ultraviolet lighting. The combination of color, darkness, visual illusions and startle scares can make it difficult to determine exactly what is real — or where the next scare is coming from. Like Vengeance, Terror Town is self-paced, giving guests time to become completely immersed in its bizarre 3-D world. Tickets for Vengeance and Terror Town in 3-D are $25. For visitors who want to spend less time waiting and more time screaming, VIP ticket options offering quicker entry are also available. Can You Escape? Not everything at Derailed is designed to terrify. Guests can also put their problem-solving skills and teamwork to the test with Derailed’s short escape-room challenges. Stalag 13 offers one challenge, while Escape By the Number in 3-D adds another dimension to the escape-room concept with a 3-D and UV environment. Both are three-minute escape games requiring participants to think quickly and work together before time runs out. Is Derailed Really Haunted? There may be another reason Derailed feels a little different from the average haunted attraction. The haunt operates inside a two-story, approximately 23,000-square-foot building dating to 1906. The structure originally housed the A.B. Hamm and Company General Store and later became part of the textile industry. Its long history has produced plenty of stories. Continue reading.............
According to Derailed, strange sounds and unexplained activity have been reported in the building through the years, particularly by people who found themselves there alone late at night. The property has become intriguing enough that Derailed opens the facility at selected times during the year to groups interested in paranormal research. So when something moves in the darkness during October, the question might not always be which actor was that? The Legend of Spike There’s also a legend behind the Derailed name. The attraction tells the fictional story of Steven S. Pike, a farmer whose property became the target of railroad interests in the 1850s. According to the Derailed legend, Pike was eventually swindled out of his land, and mysterious disappearances, deaths and train derailments followed. Over time, stories emerged of a horrifying figure associated with the railroad and the tragedies surrounding it. Railroad men called the creature “Spike.” Today, Spike remains part of the mythology surrounding Derailed. And according to the legend, he may still be looking for his next victim. Halloween in Southwest Tennessee For residents and visitors looking for a Halloween road trip, Derailed offers something unusual: a nationally recognized haunted attraction tucked away in the small community of Ramer in McNairy County. It’s scary. It’s theatrical. It’s unpredictable. And most importantly, it’s fun. Children 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and guests should remember that wait times can increase as Halloween approaches, particularly during the final weekend of the season. Derailed Haunted House is located at 4385 Highway 57 West, Ramer, Tennessee 38367. Doors open at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October and remain open until 11 p.m. So gather your friends, make your plans and get ready to hear those familiar words: ALL ABOARD! The train is leaving the station. The lights are going out. And somewhere inside Derailed, Spike is waiting. Will you make it through without getting Derailed? Visit https://www.derailedhauntedhouse.com to purchase tickets. Use code MCAFTERDARK to receive $2 off ticket purchase.
This autumn, grab your friends, hit the road and experience the McNairy County Pumpkin Spice Trail, featuring four locally owned coffee shops in Adamsville and Selmer. From pumpkin spice lattes and creamy fall creations to pastries, specialty drinks and whatever seasonal surprises each shop dreams up, the Pumpkin Spice Trail is your invitation to sip local, shop local and celebrate fall in McNairy County. FOUR SHOPS. TWO TOWNS. ONE SWEET FALL ADVENTURE The Bean Scene — Adamsville 130 Main Street, Downtown Adamsville - Monday–Friday: 9 AM–4 PM - Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM The coffee shop that helped start McNairy County's coffee culture! Stop in for coffee and seasonal flavors, then stay for soups, sandwiches and a full-service menu. Chip’s Corner — Adamsville 105 North Oak Street, Downtown Adamsville - Monday–Friday: 6 AM–2 PM - Saturday: 8 AM–1 PM Cozy, welcoming and full of choices, Chip’s Corner serves coffee, frappes, Lotus energy drinks and seasonal creations perfect for your fall adventure. Brickhaven — Selmer 154 West Court Avenue, Downtown Selmer - Monday–Friday: 7 AM–4 PM - Saturday: 8 AM–3 PM Enjoy the classic coffeehouse experience with specialty coffees, seasonal drinks, pastries, bagels, desserts and more in the heart of Downtown Selmer. Moody Cat — Selmer 114 Houston Avenue, Downtown Selmer - Monday–Friday: 6:30 AM–5 PM - Saturday: 8 AM–3 PM Add a little peace, love and pumpkin spice to your day! Moody Cat's colorful retro atmosphere and creative specialty drinks make it a must-stop on the trail. MAKE A DAY OF IT! Start your morning in Adamsville, make your way to Selmer—or do it in reverse! Visit all four shops, try something different at each stop and discover your favorite taste of fall. While you're out, spend some time exploring downtown, visiting local businesses, grabbing lunch and enjoying everything McNairy County has to offer. Take photos along the way and share your Pumpkin Spice Trail adventure! SIP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • LOVE McNAIRY Every cup purchased supports a locally owned small business and the people who have invested their time, creativity and resources into our communities. This fall, don't settle for just one pumpkin spice stop. Follow the McNairy County Pumpkin Spice Trail and taste your way through fall!
KIDDY’S PEST CONTROL EST
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CRAWLSPACE SOLUTIONS PEST CONTROL TERMITE CONTROL CRAWSPACE ENCAPSULATION CRAWSPACE SERVICES 731-632-1414 340 OLD LAWTON RD ADAMSVILLE TN ADAMSVILLE, TN 38310
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The City of Adamsville is preparing for a festive season, with Halloween fun and an expanded Christmas celebration featuring shopping, ice skating and hometown traditions. Adamsville’s Trick or Treat Trail will take place Friday, October 30, at 6 p.m. at Adamsville City Park. Food trucks will open at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in setting up a table or booth along the trail or donating candy is encouraged to contact Adamsville City Hall at 731-6321401. Christmas in the Ville will expand to three days, December 3–5, beginning Thursday with the downtown Christmas parade and business open houses throughout town. The annual tree lighting will take place at The Square at the conclusion of the parade, moving from its previous location at the park. Shoppers can join the holiday fun Thursday afternoon and evening by picking up a punch card at The Square. The card will list participating businesses, and visitors who have their cards punched at every listed business will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket. Businesses interested in participating should contact Holly at City Hall at 731-632-1401, extension 1016. Additional festivities are planned for Friday, followed by Christmas in the Ville at the park on Saturday. Ice skating will be available at the park all three days, including special hours for younger children. More Christmas activities and details will be announced soon. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring Christmas in the Ville can call City Hall at 731-6321401, with sponsorship levels and additional information coming soon. From trick-or-treating to shopping local and celebrating under the Christmas lights, Adamsville is inviting the community to enjoy a season of hometown fun.
TOURISM IN MCNAIRY COUNTY GENERATED $9.8 MILLION IN VISITOR SPENDING IN 2025 Visitors to McNairy County generated $9,765,399 in spending in 2025, representing a 16.5% increase over 2024 and outpacing the statewide growth rate of 2.7%, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry generated a record $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025 and $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. The state’s tourism economy has grown 40% since 2018, nearly double the national growth rate of 22%. In 2025, visitor spending generated $509,312 in local tax revenue for McNairy County and supported 84 jobs across the county. BY THE NUMBERS: ·Direct visitor spending in McNairy County generated $499,922 in state tax revenue. ·Every day, visitors spend $26,755 on lodging, retail, transportation, recreation and dining throughout McNairy County. ·If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each household in McNairy County would pay $102 more in state and local taxes. ·Visitor-paid taxes support public education and other critical services across Tennessee. ·McNairy County ranked 79 among the 95 counties in Tennessee based on visitor spending.
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