Downtown Employee Appreciation Week. A week dedicated to the more than 57,000 downtown Nashville employees with a series of activities throughout the central business district. Coffee, food, prizes, music, games and more. Thursday: Make Your Own “Wearable” Art, SunTrust Plaza, 401 Commerce, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday: Golden Lunch Break, Bridgestone Arena Plaza, noon-2 p.m. Information: www.nashvilledowntown.com

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

Street Food Thursdays

Up to 20 local food trucks park along Deaderick Street between 4th Avenue North and 5th Avenue North every Thursday through October. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Business Studio Workshop: ABCs of the ABC - Permitting for Events and Alcohol Service

How familiar is your business with the fine print required for liquor licenses, alcohol service and permitting? Rob Pinson with Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC tackles the most frequently asked questions small businesses have about working with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 3-5 p.m. Refinery Nashville, 438 Houston Street, Suite 263. Fee: Complimentary for Chamber members. Information: nashvillechamber.com

FRIDAY, OCT. 14

Boo at the Zoo

Nashville’s littlest ghosts and goblins are invited to Boo at the Zoo, presented by The Children’s Hospital at Centennial. Our annual Halloween tradition takes place over 3 weekends: Oct 14-16, 21-23 and 27-30 from 5-9 p.m. Kids can enjoy carnival games, carousel rides, hayrides, animal shows, trick-or-treating along the Zoo trail and more! Tickets are on sale now! Join us for 10 nights (5-9 p.m.) of delightfully frightful fun during our annual Halloween tradition! Tickets include: trick-or-treating, carousel rides, hayrides and more. Additional fees apply for Soaring Eagle zip line* and concessions. *Unlimited Ride Pass holders will be able to enjoy free rides during the event.

SATURDAY, OCT. 15

2016 Nashville Heart Walk

Annual American heart association event to raise funds for research, education and community health programs. Vanderbilt sports field, corner of Natchez Trace and Blakemore Ave. festivities: 8 a.m., walk 10. Fee: free. Information: nashvilleheartwalk.org

Walk to end Alzheimer’s

Event activities kick off at 7:30 a.m. and 2 mile walk begins at 9 a.m. Walk of Fame Park and goes into downtown area before circling back to Rolling Mill Greenway. Street closures and some parking impacted by walk. Information: http://act.alz.org/nashville

Grand Ol’ Chili Cookoff

The Grand Ol’ Chili Cookoff celebrates local flavor, live music, dancing and more. This hot festival will be held in the field on the corner of Floyd Rd & Old Hillsboro Rd, Leiper’s Fork. Parking is located on the opposite side of Old Hillsboro Rd. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

Benefit for the Harpeth River and Clean Water in Tennessee

River Swing 2016 is Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction, and Art Show to benefit the Harpeth River and Clean Water Tennessee. Fairpath Farm, 2310 Del Rio Pike, Franklin. 5 p.m. $175 per person, $1,500 tables of 10. Tickets are available online at www.RiverSwing.org

OCT. 27-28

63rd annual Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development

Martin Frey, former director for Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, will be the keynote speaker. Renaissance Nashville Hotel. The conference theme is “Team Tennessee: MVPs” showcasing Tennessee’s strategy in economic and rural development, entrepreneurship, workforce and more. Information: www.govcon.tnecd.com