ENTERTAINMENT Annual Attractions

Texarkana is a great place to see and do anything, including some of the most entertaining attractions in Northeast Texas/Southwest Arkansas. Many of these events recur annually, offering a chance to experience them again and again, year after year. We have compiled a short list of the many festivals, events, and fairs which help us bring music, art, and culture to our Twin Cities.

Akc Dog Show

The Kennel Club of Texarkana, Inc. will present its annual AKC Dog Show February 3-5, 2024, at the Four States Fair Entertainment Center & Fairgrounds. Visitors from far and wide come to enjoy this prestigious dog show. Follow the Kennel Club of Texarkana Facebook page for updates.

Christmas Parade

The biggest event of the holiday season in downtown is the Main Street Texarkana Christmas Parade, set for 7 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023. Thousands of attendees will enjoy Main Street Texarkana’s 39th annual event in a festive atmosphere. Over 100 lighted entries will be led by three live camels and a nativity scene. Marching bands, floats, performers, and antique cars are among the kickoff to the season! Downtown businesses and attractions join in on the celebration with holiday décor and activities all month. (www.mainstreettexarkana.org)

FARMERS BANK & TRUST LIVE UNITED BOWL

The Farmers Bank & Trust Live United Bowl, formerly known as the Agent Barry Live United Bowl, is set for Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Razorback Stadium. This annual college football bowl game is played between two top teams at the NCAA Division II level. The game features the highest place finisher in the Great American Conference that does not qualify for the Division II playoffs. The at-large opponent is chosen from either the Lone Star Conference or the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. (www.liveunitedbowl.com)

FOUR STATES FAIR & RODEO

Each year, the Four States Fairgrounds welcomes the Four States Fair & Rodeo. The 79th annual fair will be held April 5-14, 2024. The Four States Fairgrounds is located directly off Interstate 30 at Airport Exit 2 (Arkansas Hwy. 245). It is only a short distance from various city attractions such as dining, shopping, and tourist attractions. (www.fourstatesfair.com)

Holiday Arts Market

TRAHC and the For Arts’ Sake Gift Shop will host its 15th annual Holiday Arts Market on December 1-2, 2023. The holiday shopping event is held annually in the Regional Arts Center, located at 312 West 4th Street in downtown Texarkana and features local artists and artisans with their custom creations. From stocking stuffers to gifts for under the tree, the market offers jewelry, paintings, pottery, art, leather goods, and much more.

JAMES BLACK’S BOWIE HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Dancing With Our Stars

The Temple Memorial Pediatric Center hosts its annual gala, “Dancing with Our Stars,” each year. This event provides an evening of fun-filled entertainment with eye-catching dance routines choreographed by local dance instructors to raise funds for the only nonprofit rehabilitation facility in Texarkana, Texas, that specializes in pediatric therapy. Watch Facebook for dates!

DOWNTOWN LIVE!

Main Street Texarkana, along with downtown businesses and local artists, presents Downtown Live! in downtown Texarkana the second Friday of every month. The event features artists at work and live music, as well as food and drinks available at downtown restaurants. (www.mainstreettexarkana.org)

EDGE OF TEXAS GOLF TOURNAMENT & AFTER PARTY

On September 25, 2023, CASA for Children will host its annual golf tournament at Northridge Country Club, with an after party to follow. Proceeds from the event benefit CASA for Children and the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center. These organizations’ coordinated efforts help provide hope, healing, and justice to abused and neglected children in the community. For more information, visit www.casatexarkana.org.

The third annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival will take place in spring 2024, in Historic Washington State Park. This event celebrates James Black, the bladesmith who forged the first Bowie knife for Jim Bowie. World-renowned bladesmiths will be on-hand during the event. Other activities include heritage crafts and trades, Arkansas State Cutting Championship, demonstrations, and Bowie knife exhibits. Visit the festival’s Facebook page for more information.

JEANS & BLING

Hospice of Texarkana will host its annual Jeans & Bling event at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the Texarkana Convention Center. Activities will include a lip sync battle, BBQ dinner, silent auction, raffles, and live music and dancing. The event benefits Hospice of Texarkana, a nonprofit agency and the region’s only hospice inpatient care center. (www.hospiceoftexarkana.com/jeans-and-bling)

Jonquil Festival

The 56th annual Jonquil Festival is set for the third weekend of March 2024, at Historic Washington State Park. The three-day festival heralds the arrival of spring in Southwest Arkansas. Thousands of jonquils welcome craftspeople, entertainers, and delicious foods. (www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com)

Mistletoe Market

The Junior League of Texarkana will host the 36th annual Mistletoe Market November 9-11, 2023, at the Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center. Known as the event that kicks off Christmas shopping for many in the community, this unique fundraiser celebrates the holiday season with local vendors, delicious food, lively entertainment, and fun for all ages.

One of the main attractions of the Mistletoe Market is the Children’s Events area, where families can take photos, make crafts, hear a story, or have breakfast with Santa Claus. While the market is an amazing event, its impact lasts much longer than one weekend. As the Junior League of Texarkana’s largest fund- raiser, it provides substantial contributions for numerous philanthropic projects and community assistance grants. Through the success of the market, JLT is able to host Shoes for the Soul & Clothes for a Cause, Open Hearts Food Pantry, Packs for a Purpose, and Teacher Take Wing. (www.jltexarkana.org)

Oktoberfest On The Line

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, visitors and townspeople will converge downtown on the State Line to celebrate Oktoberfest with a German/Texarkana twist. Local craft brewers provide beer tastings along with local and regional music, food, vendors, and children’s activities fill the day of fun. A toast to the two cities and a “Tapping the Kegs” by our two Mayors (Texas and Arkansas) make this annual event memorable for all! (www.mainstreettexarkana.org)

OPPORTUNITIES, INC. ANNUAL INVITATIONAL

Opportunities, Inc. Annual Invitational will be held September 18, 2023, at Texarkana Country Club. Special guest will be Dan Boever. The mission of Opportunities, Inc. is to provide developmental and support services which empower individuals in attaining a full life in the community. (www.oppinc.org/golf-tournament/)

Run The Line Half Marathon

Over the past 14 years, over 7,100 runners from 35 states have come to downtown Texarkana, USA, to compete in what has become the largest half marathon in Southwest Arkansas – the Run the Line Half Marathon. The 16th annual race, set for Sunday, February 18, 2024, starts in downtown Texarkana, Texas, and goes through the Twin Cities’ parks, trails, and streets to finish in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas, on a USATF-certified 13.1-mile course. Residents are encouraged to cheer the runners along the course. The weekend event includes two-person and four-person relay teams in the half marathon and the Kids Run the Line Too. The events benefit the Partnership for the Pathway, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a safe pedestrian and bicycle trail system in the Texarkana area.

SCOUT-O-RAMA

Caddo Area Council Boy Scouts of America will hold Scout-O-Rama at Spring Lake Park in spring 2024. Activities will include a climbing wall, BB gun shooting range, paper rockets, archery, Pinewood Derby race, monkey bridges, obstacle courses, climbing tower, ICS Chili Cook-off, chuck wagons, local fire department, police, LifeNet, and the Rumble in the Park Car and Motorcycle Show! For more information, contact the Scout Service Center at 903-793-2179. (www.caddobsa.org)

TALIMENA RALLY CRUISIN’ FOR ST. JUDE

The Talimena Rally 2024 Cruisin’ for St. Jude will be held May 23-25 at the Arkansas Convention Center. Scheduled rides will take place on Friday and Saturday with entertainment each evening. Follow the Talimena Rally “Cruisin for St. Jude” Facebook page for more information.

Texarkana Dragon Boat Festival

The annual Texarkana Dragon Boat Festival is a fun-filled event held annually at Bringle Lake. The event features vendors, food, and intermittent races throughout the day. Proceeds from the event benefit HandsOn Texarkana, which provides volunteer services in the greater Texarkana area. Check their Facebook page for dates and times.

Twice As Fine Texarkana Wine Festival

The eighth annual Twice As Fine Texarkana Wine Festival, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State Area, is set for Saturday, May 4, 2024, at beautiful Spring Lake Park. In 2023, over 15,000 people attended this one-ofa-kind event featuring art, food, music, wine with wineries from across the state of Texas, and local businesses giving visitors an opportunity to taste and purchase wines and gourmet treats at their best, all in one location. (www.texarkanawinefestival.com)