Family events in Texarkana, TX

The Washington Vintage Dance group presents live demonstrations of mid 19th century dances at the Watermelon Festival, set in front of the Park Coliseum. Audiences will see historical dance traditions from the mid 1800s presented up close.

Country music star Gretchen Wilson headlines the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival concert, bringing the chart-topping songs and powerful vocals that defined her rise. She burst onto the scene with Redneck Woman, has sold more than eight million albums, topped the Billboard charts, and earned honors from the CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Billboard Music, and the GRAMMYs. Her debut, Here for the Party, achieved five-times platinum status, and All Jacked Up set a record at the time for the highest debut by a female country artist. Momentum continues in a new chapter of her career. Wilson won Season 13 of The Masked Singer and appeared on the CBS/Paramount+ series THE ROAD with Blake Shelton and Keith Urban, serving as tour manager and on-air mentor. Her Still Here for the Party Tour delivers energetic sets filled with favorites, and she is re-recording Here for the Party with guest artists. The festival’s 50-year celebration includes arts and crafts, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, plenty of food, the Watermelon Olympics, and chilled Hope watermelons. The concert serves as the grand finale of the celebration. Sponsorship opportunities and Early Bird ticket details will be announced.

With school out, the Mayo Arts MakerSpace is expanding its summer offerings to keep creativity flowing for all ages. The studio is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, giving families, grandparents, babysitters, and imaginative makers a cool and welcoming place to make memories and make art together at their own pace. TRAHC’s Mayo Furniture Arts MakerSpace is a hands-on studio designed for artists and makers of every age and skill level. Rather than step-by-step projects, it invites exploration with a wide variety of unusual materials and open-ended prompts that emphasize discovery, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. Participants can work individually or collaborate, learning through both independent experimentation and shared discovery. Materials, prompts, and visual inspirations change regularly with seasonal and holiday themes, so each visit offers something new. A Summer MakerSpace Club option is available that includes TRAHC membership and unlimited family access during open hours for a one-time $75 fee, which is half the typical yearly rate. Regular daily admission is $10 per person.

Learn practical habits that support weight management, reduce reliance on medications, help prevent disease, and improve overall wellness. This class is presented by Outpatient Nutrition, with instruction created and led by Ochsner LSU Health dieticians. It is designed for children ages 10 to 17, and a parent is required to attend. Dinner is provided. Sessions take place at Ochsner LSU Health St. Mary Medical Center.

The Redwater Dragons take on Texas Tigers in a girls varsity volleyball away non-district matchup. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at Texas High School in Texarkana.

The SHARKS Warbird and Scale event welcomes aircraft of any size and power type, including gas, glow, electric, EDF, and turbine, with a special nod to Cub models that may gather for group flights. Pilots can enjoy breakfast and dinner provided by SHARKS, and concessions will offer burgers and hot dogs. A round of SHARKS Combat gives participants the chance to fly planes supplied for the activity, and night flying adds extra after hours excitement. Awards are decided by votes from registered pilots, so bring an aircraft ready to impress. RV electric hookups are available for $20 per night, with plenty of free dry camping space also offered, and inquiries can be directed to Dennis or Terry.