Events in Texarkana today

Line up for a race that ends on a refreshing note. After you finish, pick up a whole watermelon to enjoy as a post-run treat.

The Shreveport Farmers Market brings a recurring pop-up marketplace to Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. Vendors from within 150 miles offer seasonal produce, jams and jellies, sauces, roots and herbs, meats from farm-raised livestock, fresh-baked bread, prepared foods, handmade art, and other dry goods. It highlights locally grown and handcrafted items from area producers and makers.

Mahjong for Mercy, presented by The Cottage together with Jenifer Doege of Let’s Go Mahjong, blends friendly competition with a meaningful cause at The Remington Suite Hotel & Spa. Friends, supporters, first-time players, and seasoned enthusiasts are welcomed into a carefully planned mahjong experience shaped by the warmth and polish of premier events nationwide, creating a beautiful day centered on connection and purpose. Proceeds benefit the Build Mercy Capital Campaign, which is working to establish a permanent home for Mercy Christian Academy in Shreveport. Through an extraordinary gift, the former Shreve City Baptist Church building was donated to serve as the school’s future campus, and the campaign is raising over $2 million to renovate the facility so it meets code and becomes a safe, attractive, and lasting environment for learning. This transformation aims to expand access to high quality Christian education, academic excellence, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to grow in faith and purpose. Individual tickets are $130 and include a chair, two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions of play, breakfast, lunch, an event swag bag, one raffle entry, and valet parking. A table ticket is $520 and provides four tickets, with each participant receiving the same play schedule, meals, swag bag, raffle entry, and valet service. A very limited lunch-only ticket is $50 and includes a special treat, a raffle entry, and valet parking, with mahjong play not included. The day flows from breakfast and check-in to a morning open-play session, continues with lunch and a program, then features an afternoon open-play session, with a raffle drawing closing the event. For those wishing to extend the experience, discounted rooms are available at The Remington Suite Hotel & Spa using promo code Lucky10. Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation through this event helps move the vision forward to create a permanent home where future generations of students can learn, grow, and flourish.

The Centenary Gold Dome hosts the inaugural Shreveport-Bossier 3-on-3 Basketball Championship, bringing together standout local talent for a fast-paced day on the court. Teams will compete for more than $5,00 in cash prizes, and the action stretches beyond the brackets with a dunk contest, live DJ sets, local food trucks, and interactive activities that keep the crowd engaged. Entry is $10 at the door. Team registration is $100. Sponsorship packages and food truck vendor opportunities are available for brands seeking visibility. For details, contact Matt Snyder at (318) 272-3139 or Deidra Robertson at (318) 425-3222.

Enjoy a hot meal with friendly service, available to-go only. There is no dine-in option, so plan to pick up your meal.

Get ready for the Hobbit 2-Headed Giant Prerelease, a sealed-format event where you will build your deck from a special prerelease kit. The event runs for four rounds, with pack prizes awarded based on match wins. Anyone preregistering online gets a discounted entry fee. Whether you are new or experienced, this is a great chance to jump into the format and compete for prizes.

Oakwood Home for Women is hosting its 2026 banquet at the Shreveport Convention Center. Tickets and tables are available, and participation helps support women in recovery.

Jump into a One Piece beginner-friendly deck party to celebrate the release of the latest 6 Starter Decks. This is a tournament where you’ll need to use one of the specified Starter Decks (ST-31 through ST-36), keeping things balanced and welcoming for newer players. Each participant will get a participation pack, and winners will receive a winner pack, with entry priced at $30 plus sales tax.

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.

Austin Meade is set to perform at Whiskey River Country in Texarkana. The show starts at 9:30 PM and tickets are available via Bandsintown.

Bigfoot Running Company presents a summer running experience at Stoner Avenue Skate Plaza, set on a course with park scenery, shady stretches, and warm-weather views. Participants can choose from the Kids Dash, 1 Mile, 5K, Quarter Marathon, or Half Marathon, creating an inclusive atmosphere for both newcomers and seasoned runners. Every distance includes a finisher medal and a soft race tee. The 5K, Quarter Marathon, and Half Marathon feature chip timing, and awards include Bigfoot trophies and age group honors. A DJ keeps energy high at the rally tent, while snacks, water, and multiple aid stations support participants along the way. Families can take advantage of youth pricing for runners 12 and under at $15 for the 5K and Quarter Marathon. Referral rewards offer $20 back after five friends register, and teams can access group discounts. Opportunities to volunteer, or volunteer and then run, are also available. Designed for personal best chasers and those soaking up the season alike, the focus stays on fun, safety, and a positive participant experience.

The Summer Meltdown Half Marathon takes runners through a scenic course that mixes parks, trails, shaded paths, and nature, with aid stations along the way for water and support. The race kicks off at 7:00 AM with the national anthem, followed by results and awards available right at the registration tent after you finish. There is also a post-race celebration with snacks, refreshments, music, and a cool treat from Kona Ice.

Take part in Commander Play Day at Barksdale, featuring games of Magic in the Commander format with friends. Enjoy playing together and make the most of a shared Commander experience.

Join the Yu-Gi-Oh! OTS tournament every Sunday at Gamers XP. It’s a two-player trading card event where you battle to knock your opponent’s Life Points down to zero. The entry fee is $10, the format is an Official OTS Tournament, and participants receive 2 OTS packs plus 1 Participation Booster Pack. Prizing goes to top finishers.

Join this hands-on class on building a slip-joint folding knife. Students will go through the key parts of the process, including how design choices connect to fit, finish, and the individual components that make the knife work. By the end of the 40-hour course, participants are expected to complete one finished folder.

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.

Seth Bradford performs live at Frank's Pizza. The performance pairs live music with food and drinks available in the SBC.

Build strength and boost your heart rate in a chair-based workout set to music. Most of the session is seated, with an optional standing segment of gentle, low impact moves beside your chair during the final ten minutes before the cool down. Wear any clothing you prefer, with comfort and ease of movement encouraged but not required. Hand weights between 1 and 8 pounds are required.

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.

A community bike ride rolls through downtown Shreveport with an easygoing vibe. Participants gather at a central downtown spot, then head out together shortly after the group forms for about an hour of riding. Bring your bike, pack some water, and equip front and rear lights for visibility. Helmets are recommended.

A book study of A Course in Love focused on understanding love more deeply and discovering ways to welcome more of it into everyday life.

Step into a beginner-friendly hip hop dance class that builds confidence while getting you moving and having fun. Learn simple, follow-along combinations and explore core techniques inspired by popping, breaking, whacking, and more. Each session focuses on rhythm, coordination, musicality, and performance skills in a welcoming environment. It is a good fit for complete beginners as well as anyone looking to feel more assured on the dance floor. Expect guidance that helps you get comfortable with choreography, express your personal style, and enjoy moving to music. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive athletic shoes that allow easy movement.

Local singer and songwriter Christopher Gates performs live at Frank’s, offering an evening of music and entertainment. Savory dishes and a variety of cocktails and mocktails are available.

Riftbound is a trading card game set in the League of Legends universe, where you build decks around a chosen champion and legend to fight for control of the battlefield. This Wednesday event is a Constructed, Best of 1 format, and players compete for prizes. Bring your deck and get ready for weekly competition, with entry set at $10.

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.

This free, confidential support group at First Methodist Church Shreveport offers caregivers, spouses, and family members of people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia a space to connect with others who understand the caregiving journey, exchange experiences and practical insights, and receive encouragement in a welcoming environment. No registration or appointment is required.

Women Who Care Share is a luncheon at Sam's Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport that benefits the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana. The gathering highlights empowerment, inspiration, and meaningful connection as women share experiences and encourage one another. Featured speaker Nell Shehee will address attendees. Whether building a career, caring for family at home, or balancing both, participants from all backgrounds are welcome. Expect opportunities to meet new people, hear encouraging stories, and support the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana.

This free, confidential support group at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center welcomes caregivers, spouses, and family members of people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It offers a comfortable place to connect with others who understand the challenges of caregiving, exchange experiences, and receive encouragement. No registration or appointment is needed, and each meeting lasts about an hour.