It was a beautiful evening to get out and enjoy the great outdoors at the Halls Outdoor Classroom Spring Celebration. For 11 years, Halls Crossroads has come together to enjoy everything the outdoor classroom has to offer, but this year had a “super” twist with costumed characters and a kids superhero costume contest.
The outdoor classroom is just across a creek from the back side of Halls High School, a space for experiential learning, ecology and agriculture education, or just an hour of class under blue skies. This year’s celebration included superhero-themed activities with a conservation twist and prizes for kids, plus free food, music by the Halls High School Jazz Band, and the ever-anticipated pie-eating contest.
Hallsdale-Powell Utility District served barbecue, and the Halls Crossroads Women’s League served homemade ice cream. Students and Americorps volunteers ran the kids activities, and Boy Scout Troop 506 hosted a campfire with s’mores.
The event sponsors include Knox County Stormwater, Ijams Nature Center, Americorps, Water Quality Forum, Tennessee Water Resources Research Center, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, the Halls High chapter of FFA, Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, Halls Crossroads Women’s League, Bam Pow Creations, and Boy Scout Troop 506.
Superheros from Bam Pow Creations assemble for a photo with Tappy, the Hallsdale-Powell Utility District mascot.
Reese Wissing watches as sister Leah Wissing plays an AntMan-themed game.
Nicolas Granju won a prize for most creative superhero costume.
Halls Crossroads Women’s League members Lisa Atkins and Terry Carr serve ice cream.
Alli Shipwash introduces folks to her llama friend.
TVA biologist Jon Michael Mollish (right) shows Daniel Carey a caddisfly in its casing.
Tom “Shippy” Shipwash gets ready for the pie-eating contest with his new friend Deadpool.
Brendan Zaher celebrates winning the pie-eating contest. This year is his third consecutive win.