Good morning, Tyler!

Costumes, candy, and cooler (slightly) nights… and a little rain. It’s a classic East Texas fall weekend.

Fall festivals are everywhere, pumpkin patches are in full swing, and there’s plenty happening from Bergfeld to Broadway. We’ve also got a few interesting city updates you’ll want on your radar, plus a helpful note for anyone planning to vote early.

Now let’s dive into what’s happening around Tyler.

Weekend pick: Boo at the Zoo (and lots of fall fun)
Caldwell Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo brings costumes, candy trails, and photo ops, perfect for families, alongside a packed slate of pumpkin patches, church festivals, markets, and live music around Tyler, Whitehouse, and Lindale. A handy roundup with times and links to map your weekend. Read more

Mini golf is officially coming back to Tyler
City Council approved a special-use permit for a new outdoor mini-golf course at 6110 S. Broadway (behind Andy’s). The plan clears the way to redevelop the former Woodcreek Athletic Club site and bring a family-night staple back to town. Read more

Early voting kicks off this week
Heads up: early voting is underway for the November election across East Texas. The ballot features statewide constitutional amendments plus local city and school items. TylerPaper’s quick guide has locations, hours, and what’s on the ballot so you can plan your stop. Or get a detailed list of all the voting locations, and what’s on the ballot directly from Smith County’s website.

Texas Rose Festival wraps a big weekend
Petals, pageantry, and a whole lot of hometown pride. The 92nd Texas Rose Festival filled the Garden, streets, and downtown with floats, gowns, and family photos galore—from the parade to the Queen’s Tea and coronation. If you missed it, the photo galleries are worth the scroll. Read more

Stage 2 water restrictions lifted
With the Lake Palestine plant back online and system pressure stabilized, Tyler Water Utilities ended Stage 2 conservation. Turn your sprinklers back on… just in time for a rainy weekend. Read more

Holiday help on the calendar
The East Texas Food Bank announced special holiday distributions, including a Tyler event at Green Acres Baptist Church on Nov. 24, aimed at easing higher seasonal need. More dates follow across the region. Read more

Downtown: “We’re open!” (and catering)
With square construction underway, Main Street is promoting catering and group orders from downtown restaurants to keep foot traffic and revenue flowing; businesses are encouraging patrons to keep showing up. Read more

🎃 Discovery Science Place – Spooktacular Fun Fest | Discovery Science Place | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Hands-on science, costumes, and treats, one night only, 6–9pm.

🎨 Spooky Painting | Tyler State Park (behind Silver Canoe Park Store) | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Drop-in art class for all ages; supplies limited — 4–6pm.

👻 Parktober Costume Contest & Trick-or-Treat | Tyler State Park | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Campground costume contest (5:30–6pm) then trick-or-treat from 6pm.

🦁 Boo at the Zoo | Caldwell Zoo | Tyler | Oct 25–26 | Learn more
Daytime trick-or-treating with animal encounters and photo ops.

🎷 Cowan in the Community: Tunes, Tricks & Treats | Bergfeld Park | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more  Free UT Tyler ensembles with pumpkins, candy, and food trucks — 5–6:30pm.

🎃 Pumpkin Patch at Lane’s Chapel | Lane’s Chapel UMC | Tyler | Through Oct 31 | Learn more
Pumpkin picking and photo ops; proceeds benefit missions.

📚 Spooky Storytime | Tyler Public Library | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Come in costume for stories and a craft — 10:30am in the Auditorium.

🧪 Homeschool Libratory: The Chemistry of Color | Tyler Public Library (3rd-floor Makerspace) | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Hands-on STEM for ages 5–12 — starts 2pm.

🐾 Woof-o-ween at Bonejour Jax | Bonejour Jax | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Pet costume contest, giveaways, and raffles — 12–3pm.

🥕 Tent-or-Treat | Whitehouse Farmers Market | Whitehouse | Oct 25 | Learn more
Vendors pass out candy; last regular market day — 9am–12pm.

🚶 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Tyler | UT Tyler Patriot Plaza | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Community walk supporting care and research — check-in 8am, ceremonies 9am.

🏁 Halloween Hustle 5K + Kids Dash | CHRISTUS TMF Sports Medicine Inst. | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Family-friendly costumed 5K in the evening (Kids Dash then 5K).

🧟 Haunted 5K & Half Marathon | Southside Park | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Choose 5K or half; morning start on a flat out-and-back.

☕ Cars & Coffee | Detailing World Tyler | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Donuts, rides, and car chat — 8–10am.

🍁 The Leaves of Fall (Kids’ Program) | Tyler State Park (Post Oak Pavilion) | Tyler | Oct 31 | Learn more
Short program on fall leaves with a simple art activity — 10–11am.

🚲 Faulktoberfest | Faulkner Park | Tyler | Oct 26 | Learn more
Group rides, bike games, food trucks, and a costume contest — 1pm start.

🎸 NEEDTOBREATHE | UT Tyler Cowan Center | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Arena-level rock in an intimate hall — 7:30pm.

🎸 Jeff Black | The Old Firehouse | Edom | Oct 25 | Learn more
Intimate listening-room concert at The Old Firehouse in Edom from a celebrated singer-songwriter Jeff Black, known for his blend of Americana, bluegrass, and folk music.

🌊 Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film in Concert | UT Tyler Cowan Center | Tyler | Oct 30 | Learn more
Full film on screen with live orchestra — 7pm.

🕯️ Candlelight: Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Liberty Hall | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Spooky string quartet by candlelight — 6pm.

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Adele | Liberty Hall | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more  
Adele’s hits re-imagined by strings — 8:15pm.

🎨 “Spooky Pumpkin Patch” Paint & Sip | Pinot’s Palette | Tyler | Oct 24 | Learn more
Guided painting night out — 7–9pm (BYOB; ages 8–17 may paint with an adult).

🖼️ Assembled: A Look at Contemporary Collage | Tyler Museum of Art | Tyler | Now–Jan 4 | Learn more
Collage masters from across Texas; open during regular museum hours.

🍻 Downtown Halloween Bar Crawl | Heart of Tyler (start: True Vine on the Square) | Tyler | Oct 25 | Learn more
Hit multiple downtown spots in costume — 6–9:30pm.

🎸 Jason Boland & The Stragglers | Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ | Tyler | Oct 31 | Learn more
Red Dirt country at Stanley’s — doors 7:00pm, show 7:15pm.

That's a it for this week.

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Have a great weekend!

Eric
From Tyler