East Texans can find a variety of events this weekend, including the ongoing East Texas State Fair in Tyler and the Titus County Fair in Mount Pleasant, alongside shopping at Canton's First Monday Trade Days. However, weekend plans should account for a significant chance of rain, with forecasters anticipating up to four inches in some areas due to remnants of Hurricane Polo.
The East Texas State Fair continues daily through Sunday at The Park at East Texas, located on Hwy. 64 W, outside Loop 323 in Tyler. Entrance for the fair is on Patton Road. This year’s fair offers a rodeo, a livestock show, and a dairy demonstration. Attendees can also enjoy pig races, Goat Mountain, a petting zoo, and chick hatchings. Various demonstrations from vendors and local farmers are planned. Live music will be featured nightly, complementing classic fair food favorites and carnival rides.
In Mount Pleasant, the 51st annual Titus County Fair is underway, running Wednesday through Saturday at the Titus County Civic Center. This long-standing tradition includes a livestock show, numerous contests, and commercial exhibits. Youth academic contests are also a highlight, alongside carnival rides, food vendors, and musical entertainment.
For those looking for shopping opportunities, Canton’s First Monday Trade Days will be open through Sunday at its grounds in Canton. Described as the world's largest flea market, vendors will occupy over 450 acres. Shoppers can explore a wide range of goods, including vintage items, homemade crafts, antiques, soaps, and clothing. Live entertainment and festival food will also be available for visitors.
Closer to Tyler, a new haunted house opens this weekend on Thursday at 816 E Oakwood. The attraction features two unique experiences, 'In Humane' and 'Freaks,' with an admission fee required for entry.
The Daingerfield Days Fall Festival is also celebrating its return, running Thursday through Saturday at 102 Coffey St in Daingerfield. This event, which has provided community entertainment for more than 15 years, has expanded to a three-day schedule this year. It will host a full carnival with rides and games, a BBQ competition, live music, local vendors, and shopping. A car show and a community parade are also scheduled.
In Kilgore, a no-cost fire safety event will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 200 S Kilgore St. This event is designed for children and adults with special needs, as well as their families and caregivers, focusing on fire safety.
Tyler will also host a special evening event on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Goodman Museum, located at 624 N Broadway Ave. This ticketed event is presented by the Sickle Cell Warriors of Texas as their 2nd Annual Crescent Fashion Show. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in dinner, entertainment, and intrigue. The theme for the evening is Flora & Fauna, drawing inspiration from blooming botanicals, woodland creatures, butterflies, vines, feathers, and other aspects of nature. The event aims to celebrate the strength and resilience of the sickle cell community through fashion, culture, and purpose.
Several farmers' markets across East Texas will offer local produce and homemade goods on Saturday mornings. In Winnsboro, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 111 E Carnegie St. Tyler will have two markets: one from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 221 S Broadway Ave, and another from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the back side of Broadway Square Mall. Palestine’s market will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 813 W Spring St, and Longview’s will be from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 105 W Cotton St.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Moore Middle School at 1200 Tipton Ave in Tyler will host a Beep Baseball tournament on Saturday, October 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. This event for the blind and vision-impaired will feature teams including the Tyler Tigers, Austin Blackhawks, and Bayou City Heat. The tournament serves as a benefit for the East Texas Lighthouse For The Blind and will include food and entertainment.
Throughout the weekend, East Texans should remain aware of potential weather changes. Forecasts indicate a good chance of rain as remnants of Hurricane Polo move across Mexico from the Pacific Ocean. Anywhere from an inch to potentially four inches of rain could fall in places. Residents are advised to be weather-aware and to never cross flooded roadways, as the road surface may be compromised.
