Jun 16

Dogs in my family go way back to the day when my sister and I romped around with the jet black family pooch Lucky. We’ve never had any show dogs, that’s for sure, because in our family canine obedience was likely secondary to other behavior traits, most notably a goofball sense of fun. Our dogs are dirty dogs. And our family dogs are generally on the rebellious side, but we think of this as an endearing quality. (Others may disagree with that assessment.)

That rebellious nature is likely not the typical case with show dogs, nearly a thousand of whom will participate in this Saturday and Sunday’s Kennel Club of Texarkana annual AKC All Breed Dog Show at the Four States Fairgrounds entertainment center. It’s a pretty big deal, this show and veritable multi-ring circus of fine and fluffy pooches. Best of show winners will be selected both days (judges change for Sunday’s show), and things should get rolling by 8 a.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday with the competition lasting until 4 or 5 p.m. both days.

I met a charming and adorable little white fluff muffin named Sammie earlier this week. He didn’t say much during the interview, but he was awfully curious about having a visitor in the house. While this young, white Bichon Frise was being groomed and scissored, he sure was composed and classy. See Friday’s Accent page in the Gazette for an interview with his handlers and others involved in staging this dog show, which should provide dog lovers a chance to get up close to and learn about different breeds. More info: KennelClubTexarkana.org.

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: 1% [?]

Oct 28

Halloween is just not what it used to be … at least in my eyes. But with the decline, it seems, of kids making the neighborhood rounds to scare up treats, Halloween festivities focus more on interesting events as an alternative. There surely will be lots going on Saturday, which is Halloween, to celebrate the ghoul inside all of us, but a unique event this Halloween night is to pair a monster mudbath with monstrously large vehicles and get the kids watching. That’s the plan for what’s being billed as the 1st Annual Halloween Mudfest at the Four States Fair Entertainment Center in Texarkana. The Four States Fair and Red River Mudbog teamed up to get this event rolling; the doors open at 5 p.m. that night with a “Trick or Teat” and meet-the-drivers event. Then the mud show starts at 7 p.m. Kids 12 and under can compete in a costume contest. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. More info: 870-773-2941. So go get your Halloween freak on … in the mud.

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: 1% [?]

Dec 24

Fred Hammond, the award winning (Grammy, Dove and Stellar) gospel artist, will perform in Texarkana on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Four States Fair Entertainment Center as the headliner for the “Sounds of Praise Gospel Concert.” Hammond played with The Winans and Commissioned. A number of regional and national performers will join him: Image, David Wyatt, Kerri Crocker, Shelly Wilson and AnnaMaria. Christian comedian and Texas High grad Derrick Keener will host the event. Danielle Roberson, who wrote the gospel play “Itching Ears,” and her company Perpetual Innovations are teaming up with KTOY 104.7 FM to present the concert.

Tickets in advance range from $7 to $40. Ticket locations: Golden Lady, Christ Nations Church and Four States Fair in Texarkana; Mamma Max’s Diner in Prescott; Hair Hut and Associates and Flenory’s Bodyshop in Hope. For more info and tickets, call 870-773-2941 or visit www.fourstatesfair.com. It’s bound to be a fun show and a big one for Texarkana.

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: 1% [?]