Texarkana residents looking for ways to enjoy the crisp fall weather have a packed schedule of community events from early October through the end of the month. Below is a concise guide to the best arts, entertainment, family‑friendly and charitable activities taking place across the city and surrounding area.

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Picklefest Run for the Spear of It 5K – Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30 a.m. at 301 E. 3rd St., Texarkana, Arkansas. Runners of all ages can compete in age‑graded categories. Registration closes the morning of the race. More details at runsignup.com.

Picklefest Texarkana – Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Front Street Festival Plaza, downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. Free admission; vendors, food trucks, live music, a car show and various pickle‑related contests.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4562 Fall Festival – Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at 4700 E. 9th St., Texarkana, Arkansas. An adult‑focused gathering for individuals with special needs, featuring games, refreshments and costume fun.

Runnin WJ Ranch “Boo at the Barn” – Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. at 4802 South Kings Hwy, Texarkana, Texas. Trick‑or‑treating inside the barn, hayrides, candy and games; rain or shine, free entry.

Family and Community Events

Harvest Regional Food Bank “Taste of Texarkana” – Tuesday, Oct. 7, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. at Four States Fairgrounds. Tickets are $25 (children 6‑12 $10; under 5 free; VIP $50). More than 40 local restaurants and vendors will serve dishes, with all proceeds supporting hunger‑relief programs.

ColorHype TXK Paint & Sip – Multiple evenings in October at Redbone Magic Brewing, 1304 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, Texas. Upcoming themes include “Autumn Chapel” (Oct. 12), “Witchy Woman” (Oct. 20) and “Country Pumpkin” (Oct. 27). Tickets are $40.

Movies in the Park – Thursday evenings at Spring Lake Park, 4303 N. Park Rd., Texarkana, Texas. Family‑friendly screenings of “Casper” (Oct. 15) and the classic horror “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” (Oct. 22). Shows begin at dusk; admission is free.

Katrina R. Levingston Tough Kookie Breast Cancer Race – Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. start at Texas A&M Texarkana, 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, Texas. Participants can register by calling 903‑293‑7093 or visiting toughkookie.org.

Texarkana Dog Adoption Event – Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Jefferson Park, 1600‑1632 E 12th St., Texarkana, Arkansas. Pet vendors, games and photo booths accompany the adoption drive. Contact 903‑293‑2221 or email [email protected] for details.

Music, Theater and Nightlife

Masterwords I, A Roman Holiday – Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. at the Perot Theatre, 221 Main St., Texarkana, Texas, featuring violinist Rachel Lee Priday.

Rocky Horror Picture Show – Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. at the Perot Theatre. General admission $19; a “Virgin Package” with a prop kit is $29. No outside props allowed.

Two States One Story Benefit Concert – Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m. at Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E 50th St., Texarkana, Arkansas. Country star Neal McCoy headlines with opening act TJ McAlexander. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

9th Annual Destination Downtown – Saturday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. across the Downtown Entertainment District. Ten live bands perform; Mark Chesnutt closes the night at Front Street Festival Plaza. Event is 21+; tickets available at outhousetickets.com.

Greater Texarkana NAACP Freedom Fund Awards Banquet – Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. at the Canvas Special Events Center, 2101 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, Texas. Formal attire required.

Fall Festival Downtown – Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. at Front Street Plaza, 400 E. Front St., Texarkana, Arkansas. Trunk‑or‑treat, vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and face painting.

Ark‑La‑Tex Haunt N’ Harvest Fest – Saturday, Oct. 31, noon–6 p.m. on East Broad St., Texarkana. Activities include a dog costume contest, kids costume contest, wrestling exhibition, pop‑up skating rink and an after‑hours Spirit Walk led by Candi Coker.

6th Annual Blues Fool Festival (Twist‑A‑Treat Halloween) – Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. at Holiday Inn Texarkana Convention Center, 5200 Convention Plaza Dr., Texarkana, Arkansas. Live music and costume contest.

Live Music Venues

Local bars and restaurants host nightly performances. Highlights include Fat Jack’s (3324 N. State Line Ave., Arkansas) with On The Horizon on Friday, Beau Jenkins at Redbone Magic Brewing on Friday, and Mark Chesnutt’s concert on Oct. 24 at Front Street Festival Plaza.

Museums and Cultural Sites

The Texarkana Museums System invites families to explore the Museum of Regional History at 219 N. State Line. Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue‑Fri; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat. The TRAHC Regional Arts Center (321 W 4th St., Texas) offers free gallery admission Wed‑Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

For a broader experience, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas (2201 N. Field St.) and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (1600 Gendy St.) remain open to Texarkana visitors, with health‑safety guidelines in place.

Whether you enjoy running, tasting local cuisine, listening to live music, or exploring art and history, Texarkana’s October lineup provides ample opportunities for families, seniors, and community members to gather, celebrate and support local causes.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.