East Texas is drying out from this week’s rain and heading into a weekend full of events across the region. The Junior League of Tyler’s Mistletoe & Magic market runs Wednesday through Saturday at 2000 W Front St, giving holiday shoppers a four-day head start. Meanwhile, the 4th annual Pilar McLemore Butterfly Run 5K takes off at 8 a.m. Saturday at 100 Grand Blvd in Longview to benefit the Texas Oncology Foundation. Wings are optional, organizers note, but welcome.

Outdoor types can join the Sabine River Challenge at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Highway 14 bridge in Hawkins, a 30-mile course finishing in Gladewater. Gators along the route may or may not be pulling double duty as race officials. Closer to town, the 17th annual Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival runs Friday and Saturday with free admission downtown, and The Long Con role-playing convention fills Longview Thursday through Sunday.

Marshall’s rain-postponed Halloween Fun & Pet Costume Contest finally happens Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harrison County Courthouse. Kilgore’s Festival of Trees, area farmers markets, and Friday night district football round out the weekend. With milder post-front temperatures settling in, there’s no shortage of reasons to leave the house. Which event is on your calendar?