Good morning, Jackson.

The 2025 Hub City BBQ Festival began Friday in Jackson as teams set up smokers and grills to compete for the grand prize + drew crowds downtown.

The two-day event continues today.

The 7th annual Jacob Barker Music Festival has joined with the 2025 Hub City BBQ Festival to raise funds for Make-A-Wish—Ronnie Barker will present a check today at 6:45 p.m.

A nonprofit gathered in Pinson to support Youth Town — volunteers cooked meals, power washed, landscaped, and built essential facilities for residents and staff.

Leaders said this work shows the group’s ongoing commitment to improving local communities.

Recent restaurant inspections in West Tennessee from September 26 to October 2 show many Jackson establishments scoring high—several at 100—while a few, like The Hungry Shack, earned lower marks such as 82.

Sonoco held the grand reveal of its new industrial packaging facility on Friday at its Jackson site—showcasing a two-year, $10 million upgrade that added automation and robotics with help from local engineering and construction firms.

The event also featured the city's official proclamation of October 3 as Sonoco Day.

WRAP partnered with community leaders during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hosting a resource fair, food trucks, and an awareness walk at Jackson City Hall and in Lexington to honor survivors.

The nonprofit will hold its second annual Purple Sand Project on October 7—adding further support for those affected by domestic violence.

Today, the third annual Hub City Film Festival is underway at theCO with roughly 25 films shown including Color Book, which featured a panel discussion, and the event will host the Filmmaker’s Roundtable this afternoon—organizers plan a community documentary in partnership with Our Jackson Home.

The Jackson Arts Council announced a schedule of October arts and culture events in Jackson from Oct 1 to Oct 30—this includes art exhibits at local galleries, a book sale, film festivals, and a Harvest Moon Ball today at First Presbyterian Church.

Recurring monthly programs at the Jackson Madison County Library and other venues also give residents more chances to enjoy art, music and literature.

Rickela Reed, a 4th Grade teacher at Arlington Elementary in Jackson, was named Educator of the Week by the Tennessee Education Lottery—she has taught for five years—and uses fun lessons and games to build strong student bonds.

Jackson Central-Merry High School held its first homecoming game on the new Hub City Field Friday night—energizing the football team, alumni, and community as school officials said the event marked a new chapter for future games on the field.

USPS will raise prices for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and USPS Ground Advantage from October 5 until January 18, 2026—its price hikes aim to cover extra handling costs while ensuring operations continue during the government shutdown.

Drake White's Keep It Movin' Tour

7-10 p.m. — Hub City Brewing — Cost not specified — Experience a night of country soul with the inspirational Drake White performing live.

Haunted Marathon Series

8:30 a.m. — North Park Soccer Complex — Registration required — Race through a spooky course and earn a haunted-themed medal while sporting your best costume.

Misery by Hub City Theatre Company

7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Carnegie Center for Arts and History — Check event page for ticket info — Experience a dramatic interpretation of a thrilling tale.

Touch -N- Trunk

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Old Hickory Mall — Free entry — Celebrate Halloween with trunk-or-treat fun and a sensory-friendly experience for all families.

Dancing With the STARS

6-10 p.m. — Carl Perkins Civic Center — Fundraiser for The STAR Center — Celebrate 10 years of community impact with dancing and competition from local stars.

Hub City MMA 11

6:30-8 p.m. — Fairgrounds Park — Exciting amateur MMA fights — Experience a night of action-packed bouts featuring the best local fighters.

Halloween at the Market

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — West Tennessee Farmers Market — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly night filled with fun, games, and plenty of treats!

Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Le Memphis Cabaret — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons in a unique candlelit setting.