Texarkana A&P Commission Approves $1.178M Tourism Budget - October 20, 2026

The Texarkana Advertising and Promotion Commission met on October 20, 2026 to hear 38 funding requests for the city's tourism advertising and promotion fund. The lengthy meeting featured testimony from non-profits, event organizers, and city departments, with requests evaluated heavily against the metric of driving overnight visitor stays (heads in beds). After hours of presentations and deliberation, the commission unanimously approved a $1.178 million allocation package.

Media & Marketing

• KLFI TV (Channel 35): The station owner proposed donating the station to the city. Commissioner Jewell noted the application was incomplete due to missing financial statements.
• Texarkana Regional Airport: Director Shannon Elliott reported a 1,000% increase in Facebook views (811,000 total views) since July 2026. Funds would support MRO convention attendance and online advertising.
• Texarkana Chamber of Commerce: Presented the AY Weekender magazine feature and requested continued funding for the 2027 edition and reprinting of tourism materials.
• Destination Downtown (TXK): Reported 1,400 attendees in 2025. The 2026 event featured headliner Mark Chestnut to increase regional draw.

Festival & Event Pitches

• The Scholars Program (Juneteenth): Reported a month-long series drawing 3,500 to 5,000 people in 2026. Booked an act with 500,000 followers for 2027, projecting 5,000 to 6,000 attendees.
• Twin City Malifest: A new event from Goodyeats Catering and The Scholars, projecting 6,000 attendees for a July festival and rodeo.
• Intense Library Productions: Proposed four events. Reported the Tracy Lawrence concert generated $140,000 in direct visitor spending.
• Picklefest: Founders stated the event is self-sufficient as a non-profit. The funding request was specifically to add a Friday night concert to turn it into a regional multi-day destination.
• Four States Outdoor & Sportsman Expo: A new for-profit event. Applicants confirmed the event would occur with or without funding.
• Winners Circle Events: Presented five city-contract events. Commissioner George criticized cleanup issues at past events. The applicant responded by including cleanup expenses in the new budget.

Parks, Sports & Recreation

• TABA (Ed Wort Park): April Lane requested capital and operational funds, highlighting a 121,000 annual visitor count comparable to Swanger Park. She emphasized the burden on volunteers for maintenance and safety issues.
• Texarkana Regional Air Show: Requested $51,000 to move toward an annual, self-funded multi-day model. The 2026 event drew 11,000 wristband holders from 23 states.
• Run The Line: A 19-year-old half marathon drawing runners from 14 states. Proceeds support the city trail system.
• P23 Water Park / Big Dam Jam: Johnny Blevins reported taking over the park to prevent closure. He returned $11,000 in unspent funds from the previous cycle and requested $136,500 for 2027 events.

Arts, Education & Beautification

• Texarkana Arts & Historic District: Requested funds for blade signs, trolley maintenance, and public art installations.
• Trek (Art for All Day): First-time request to fund a family cultural day featuring professional touring artists.
• Four States Ag Learning Center: Director Kristen Larry requested $15,500 to create a permanent agricultural tourism experience open to walk-in family traffic.
• City Beautiful Commission: Requested $17,000 to replace dead Magnolia trees, improve irrigation, and restore the Ensign Fountain.

Key Outcomes

• The commission reconciled total requests against the available budget through an averaging and rounding process.
• A motion to approve the adjusted allocation package was made and seconded.
• The final motion passed unanimously (6-0) on a roll call vote.
• Total approved allocations amounted to $1,178,000.