Texarkana, Arkansas – As America marks its 250th birthday this summer, the Texarkana Airshow is bringing the region together for a celebration worthy of the milestone. The Texarkana Airshow, presented by Red River Credit Union, takes place June 27 at the Texarkana Regional Airport just one week before the nation’s 250th birthday and is set to be the region’s signature America 250 moment.
The airshow’s aerial lineup carries the weight of the occasion. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will make an appearance, as well as the WWII Airborne Demo Team, a Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter demonstration, and historic Warbird flights, with performances spanning American military history from World War II to the present day.
“Aviation has always been about pushing further, going higher, doing what people said couldn’t be done,” said Brandon Sanders, airshow organizer and director of aviation technology for Texarkana College. “That’s the American story. That’s what we’re celebrating on June 27.”
Gates open at 10 a.m. for a full day of food, music, vendors, and activities on the ground. Live music kicks off at noon with Heather Linn and the Deacons, followed by Cam Allen, before Texas red dirt favorite Wade Bowen closes out the concert. Aerial performances begin at 4 p.m.
The event also features Run the Runway, a morning 5K benefiting For the Sake of One that takes participants across an airport runway; Ride the Runway sponsored by Texarkana Harley-Davidson; and a sanctioned barbecue competition with a $10,000 purse. Details and registration for each are available at texarkanaairshow.com.
America 250 is the national commemoration of the United States’ semiquincentennial, 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Communities across the country are marking the milestone with local celebrations, and Texarkana is among them.
“Texarkana has always had a deep connection to the military and to the values that built this country,” said Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman. “Communities across the country are being encouraged to celebrate America 250 in their own way, and when we came together, we thought an airshow featuring the Golden Knights, live music, barbecue, and a day full of family-friendly activities was the perfect way to celebrate as a region.”
Texarkana, Arkansas Mayor Allen Brown echoed the sentiment.
“When you live on a state line, you learn pretty quickly that the best things happen when both sides come together,” Brown said. “The Texarkana Airshow is one of those times. We’re proud to be part of America’s 250th celebration and we can’t wait to see our community fill that runway.”
The Texarkana Regional Airport, in operation since 1928, served as a military pilot training base during World War II—the same era that produced Tuskegee Airman Woodrow “Woody” Crockett, born near Texarkana, who flew 149 missions in WWII and became a pioneering figure in military aviation and integration.
During the Cold War it was briefly designated Texarkana Air Force Station, housing a radar unit that supported Barksdale Air Force Base. In 2025, Texarkana College brought aviation education back to the region with an FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant mechanics program and has since added pilot training, positioning the region as a growing hub for aviation. The program’s launch served as a catalyst for bringing an airshow back to Texarkana for the first time in 30 years.
The event has drawn broad regional support. Southwestern Electric Power Company, which invests in Texarkana College’s aviation program and other workforce development throughout the region, provided a $5,000 community outreach grant in support of the airshow.
Tickets and parking may be purchased at texarkanaairshow.com. General admission tickets are $10 for adults; children 13 and under are free with a paying adult. Parking is available at the Four States Fairgrounds with shuttle service to the event for $25 per vehicle.
