Amid Mother’s Day Weekend, Teacher Appreciation Week, a plethora of end-of-year banquets and awards ceremonies and more, there’s lots to do this week in the Amarillo area and beyond.
Amarillo Parks and Recreation is hosting all kinds of activities, including the free Hooked on Fishing camp for ages 5-15 (pre-registration is required). For those looking to cool off, splash pads throughout the city of Amarillo officially open for the season Saturday, May 9 for kids and families to enjoy, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the week, with the exception of the Bones Hooks site that is closed Mondays for maintenance. Now through Labor Day, the splash pads include Benton, Bones Hooks, City View, Eastridge, El Alamo, Forest Hill, Gene Howe (Martin Road), Glenwood, Hamlet, John Ward, Memorial, San Jacinto, Southlawn and Westover.
It’s your last chance to catch “Dinosaurs in Motion” at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, but another dino exhibit is already in the works to open soon, as the center’s 50th anniversary celebration continues. Look for more on this in an upcoming Globe-News story.
Here are some highlights of weekend happenings, with Saturday especially featuring a full variety of options.
Say ‘Cheers’ at Wildcat Bluff to another year
May 9: Cheers at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center — Get ready to kick off summer in style at Wildcat Bluff’s most exciting event of the year, featuring live music by Bomb City Bluegrass, food options, drink tickets, entertainment, games and more. The family-friendly celebration is a fundraiser to support Wildcat Bluff’s programs and mission to keep nature accessible for families and nature lovers of all ages. Discovery Center Collective and Wildcat Bluff member ($5) and non-member ($10) admission is available for all ages, as well as a special 21+ VIP ticket ($20) for those who are ready to raise a glass to another year of fun and adventure on the High Plains. For more, visit DHDC.org.
Goodnight Ranch hosts Invention Convention
May 9: Goodnight Invention Convention — Ever wondered what it’s like to meet a real-life chuckwagon or witness a reenactment of a historic military encampment from the Panhandle’s very own Fort Elliott? Visit the Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch State Historic Site, located at 2000 US Hwy. 287 in Clarendon, for this special, free family-friendly event, being held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Discover inventions from the era of Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, enjoy live demonstrations, and explore hands-on activities for all ages. Tour the house, meet special guests — including Longhorns from the Official Texas State Herd at Fort Griffin — and enjoy food and refreshments from Porch Swing Eats and Treatz.
Eat BBQ for a good cause
May 9: Inaugural Sh*ts & Giggles BBQ Cook-Off — Head 45 minutes west of Amarillo to Adrian for this inaugural fundraiser for Homeless Heroes. It will be held across the street from Dream Maker Station during the Dream Maker Station 3rd Annual Car Show as part of the Route 66 100th Year Celebration. After Friday’s check-in, the cook-off judging will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by the gates opening to the public at noon. Attendees can enjoy all-you-can-eat BBQ until it’s gone, for a $15 entry fee. Homeless Heroes supports veterans and individuals in need in the region. The nonprofit is working on converting the former Astro Motel into apartments for Amarillo’s homeless veteran population, and the new, service-supported community will be known as Hatch Homes for Heroes. For more details, call 806-414-2137 or visit https://www.homelessheroesofamarillo.org/ or the nonprofit’s page on Facebook.
A race, then butterflies take wing
May 9: The Hope & Healing Place Half Marathon and Butterfly Release — Runners will lace up their shoes for the half marathon start at 7 p.m. at the Amarillo National Bank location at 4th and Polk (advance registration), followed by the Wings of Hope butterfly release (which has been moved to coincide with the half marathon), free kids’ activities and more at 10-11 a.m. Individual butterflies for purchase are $25. Since 2003, the nonprofit has served children and families in the community who have experienced the death of a significant person by providing grief support groups. For more, call 806-371-8998.
Showdown with 10 bands
May 9: Battle of the Bands at The Lumberyard — Head to the Canyon venue for a full day of music and events from 2 to 10 p.m., with a full slate of live music as 10 bands duke it out on stage for $8,000 in prize money up for grabs. The lineup includes Boss Texas, Plemons Bridge, Pocket Break, Peyton Gonzalez, The Obvious Few, Lindsey & The Boys, PRVDNC, Uhland & Co., Black Tie Revolt, Stealing Handshakes. The event also includes a drum circle, corn hole tournament, air guitar competition and more. Proceeds benefit Elizabeth Ruth’s Home; admission is by donation. Check out the venue’s website for a full lineup of concerts announced in the coming months.
Other events of note on the calendar (times vary on some ongoing events):
Find more events at visitamarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 5 things to do in Amarillo this weekend
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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