East Texas is set for a bustling Halloween weekend that also marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, as Mix 93.1 – East Texas' #1 Hit Music Station – Tyler Pop Radio reported. Families and individuals across Tyler, Whitehouse, Lindale, Bullard, and surrounding areas will find numerous community events alongside the traditional trick-or-treating. However, rain is possible on Halloween night, potentially affecting outdoor plans. The weekend concludes with clocks setting back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Several communities are hosting specific Halloween activities. In Big Sandy, the Downtown Big Sandy Halloween Bash will run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at 108 E Broadway, featuring waffles, vendors, games, and contests. Evening activities include coloring contests, a bake sale, pie contests, a carnival, games, and live music, with trunk-or-treating also available. Trick-or-treating at downtown businesses in Big Sandy starts at 4 p.m. until all candy is distributed. In Tyler, Freddy's Steakburgers at 7707 S Broadway Ave will host a car show with a trunk-or-treat event for children, a costume contest, and other activities starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday. While there is a registration fee to participate in the car show, trunk-or-treating is free. Marshall's Bear Creek Smokehouse will host a Fall Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at 10857 State Highway 154, offering face painting, pumpkin pie painting, a photo booth, bounce houses, and a pet costume contest at the general store.
Other communities are also preparing for Halloween fun. Longview Mall is inviting children to trick-or-treat at participating retailers on Halloween night, an event described as free and open to the community. In Alba, a “Spooktacular Halloween Night” will occur on Halloween night in the downtown square, offering free candy, door prizes every 30 minutes, and snacks. The City of Arp will host its own Trunk or Treat event. In Tyler, Nicholas Pet Haven plans a Trick or Treat Event to support Smith County's homeless dogs and cats, inviting families and pets for treats and fun while helping local animals. For those seeking a thrill, several haunted houses are operating throughout East Texas. Pumpkin patches are also open for finding decorative pumpkins or ingredients for fall baking.
Beyond Halloween, several larger regional events are taking place. The Terrell Jubilee has expanded into a two-day event, continuing through Sunday in Canton. Friday evening activities included a car show, chili cook-off, cornhole tournament, and beer garden, while Saturday will feature vendors, live music, performances, a parade, and a Pepper Eating contest. Also in Canton, the world's largest flea market, First Monday Trade Days, is open through Sunday at the First Monday Trade Days grounds. The event spans 450 acres with vendors selling vintage goods, homemade crafts, antiques, soaps, animals, and clothing, alongside live entertainment and festival food. In Longview, the Just Between Friends Consignment Sale, a twice-yearly event, is happening Thursday through Sunday at 100 Grand Blvd. This sale caters to families, offering gently used baby, toddler, and kids' items such as clothing, furniture, baby gear, books, and toys. Admission fees may apply on certain days and hours.
Community efforts also include the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, which will be held at UT Tyler to raise awareness and funds for local care, support, and research. Participants are encouraged to register in advance. The Wood County Cowboy Church will host a chili cook-off, inviting the community for food, fun, and fellowship. Additionally, several farmers markets are scheduled for Saturday: in Winnsboro from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 111 E Carnegie St; in Tyler from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 221 S Broadway Ave, and another in Tyler from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the back side of Broadway Square Mall. Palestine's market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 813 W Spring St, and Longview's from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 105 W Cotton St.
As the weekend concludes, residents are reminded to set their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, marking the official end of Daylight Saving Time until spring.
