Four States Auto Museum Spring Car Show

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Four States Cruise Nights

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Texarkana students break Guinness World Record

The City of Texarkana, Arkansas, is delighted to announce that Texarkana area students are the official Guinness World Record holder for the most people wearing paper hats!

This title is the result of a community effort made on Nov. 15, 2013. This was the first time the Texarkana community participated in America Recycles Day, a national day of recycling awareness sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.

Students from Texarkana, Liberty-Eylau and Pleasant Grove independent school districts, Texarkana, Arkansas, School District and St. James Day School participated.

The final count that day was 2,639 participants, shattering the previous record of 1,891. The title will be recorded as held by Texarkana, USA Elementary Students.

“I’m so excited about the result,” said Brandy Chewning, recycling coordinator for Texarkana, Arkansas. “I was hopeful but you just never know when there might be a snafu in paperwork that kicks it all back.”

A packet of supporting documentation including photographs, witness letters and count tally forms was submitted to Guinness World Record headquarters in London right after the event. The results were just announced this week.

“The information has not even been updated on the Guinness website yet,” Chewning said. “I’m really anxious to see our community listed there.”

Participating students implemented math and science skills to make their hats, along with unleashed creativity. From fedoras to crowns to top hats, all were in attendance and individual. Students learned about the origin of paper and how to preserve natural resources, and the paper hats were recycled at the end of the event, bringing the environmental education full circle.

The world record attempt was organized by volunteers from the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, participating school districts, city beautification groups from both Texarkanas and Leadership Texarkana. Sponsors of the event were the Four States Fairgrounds, Caraustar and American Signs & Banners.

“It took so much work to make this happen, no one person could have done it alone,” Chewning said. “This community pulled together and pulled off a massive event that put Texarkana on the global map. Hopefully this recognition will really drive home the message of recycling to those students who participated.”

Mardi Gras returns to Texarkana on March 1st

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Great Things That Happened in Texarkana, AR in 2013

Texarkana, Arkansas Live United Bowl

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