Stores will likely be more busy during the sales tax holiday this weekend, as the fall semester start draws closer. Several annual back-to-school supply giveaways are being held in Amarillo this weekend and next as well.
On Friday, Aug. 7, “Super Troopers 3” and “One Night Only” premiere in theaters including Cinergy Entertainment in Amarillo, which will also have a “Cinergized Screening” of “Jurassic Park” later in the month as well as an All-Access Day. The entertainment venue is also hosting an Elite Back-to-School Giveaway. Tascosa Drive-In will be showing on Thursday evening “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Motor City” and will have a Web Slinger specialty drink and Spider Web Popcorn, as well as a hunt for hidden spiders for prizes.
This week’s events will light up Amarillo art venues, including Arts in the Sunset and the Amarillo Museum of Art, while Dalhart hosts a big annual rodeo extravaganza. You can also hear musical strings by candlelight at ALT, or enjoy a free piano extravanganza at West Texas A&M University. Also in Canyon, the Lumberyard kicks off its August concert lineup with the duo Muscadine Bloodline on Saturday.
Here are a few highlights of things to do in the Amarillo area (and beyond) for the weekend of Aug. 6-9 — with a bonus item on Monday, Aug. 10.
90th XIT Rodeo & Reunion kicks off
Aug. 6–8: 90th annual XIT Rodeo & Reunion in Dalhart — Rodeo fans will be making the hour-and-a-half trek up to Dalhart in the northwestern corner of the Texas Panhandle for the long-running XIT Rodeo & Reunion, now in its 90th year. What started as a reunion of XIT Ranch cowboys has grown into one of the Panhandle’s biggest weekends in August, with a PRCA rodeo, queen contest, three nights of live music, a parade, barbecue and more, Thursday through Saturday. Famed for its thrilling rodeo events and recognized as the world’s largest free barbecue (according to the event’s website), the multi-day celebration offers something for everyone. Additionally, during the three-day event, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the XIT Museum will have an open house and an exhibit on display titled “50 Years of the XIT Museum.” A Watermelon Feed is set for Thursday, with the Free Pork Chop Feed on Friday, followed by the big barbecue on Saturday. Aug. 8 also features the parade (10 a.m.), the Joe Nisbett XIT Empty Saddle Fun Run (7 a.m.) and an arts and crafts show (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). For more, see https://xitrodeoreunion.com/ .
First Friday Art Walk brings in ‘Best of Southwest’
Aug. 7: First Friday at Arts in the Sunset — The monthly gathering at the arts venue, located at 3701 Plains Blvd., will be held 5-9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. One of their exhibits, the “Best of the Southwest Art Show” received more than 300 entries, making their our biggest show yet and spreading into the Horizons West and Legacy galleries. An awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. The come-and-go art walk event is free, kid-friendly and open to the community, and it features music, food trucks, and all kinds of artwork from local artists. This month includes entertainment by musician Rick Todd, with food trucks Just Right, J’s Stick BBQ, and Dr Lemon.
Free family fun at AMoA Family Day
Aug. 8: Family Day at Amarillo Museum of Art — AMoA will host its free, fun-filled Family Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the museum. Celebrate community, art, and the 100th year of Route 66 with both indoor and outdoor activities, including live music by Yvonee Perea, yard games, face painting, and hands-on art making. Inspired by artworks from AMoA’s summer exhibitions, “Ed Ruscha + Ron Cooper: Stations Words | Bars Cars” and “Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66.” Art activities will include create a miniature box-derby car, customised Pop Art bookmarks, and experimental printmaking. Lunch will be available for purchase from FAVs food truck. The museum is located at 2200 S. Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. For more info, visit www.amoa.org, email amoa@actx.edu, or call (806) 371-5050 or (806) 371-5392 (weekends).
Wedding parties gather at Civic Center
Aug. 9: The August Bridal Show of Amarillo, Heritage Ballroom — Grooms- and brides-to-be, wedding parties, families and others will gather at the Civic Center on Sunday for Amarillo’s largest and longest running bridal show, featuring lots of vendors, a silent auction, cake dive, fashion show, prizes and more, from noon to 4 p.m. Spend the day planning and browsing while talking to local experts about all the little details, including possible venues, rentals, photographers, florists, apparel, cakes, entertainment, event planners, and caterers. Learn more at https://www.thebridalshowofamarillo.com/ .
Route 66 celebration continues with celebrity event
Aug 10: Great American Road Rally: Celebrity Edition makes Amarillo stop — Last weekend brought solar cars, and this weekend brings road celebrities. The centennial festivities continues for the Mother Road, with another caravan making its way to Arts in the Sunset on Monday. Ten celebrity-driven cars are cruising down historic Route 66 to raise money for charity. The group stops at the Amarillo art venue between 6 and 8 p.m., and the event will also include a local car show and food vendors. Join them for the fun as well as a celebrity meet and greet with participants from the upcoming CW series celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66.
Other things to note on the calendar:
For even more events, go to visitamarillo.com .
Kristina Wood is managing editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, whose coverage includes Amarillo and Canyon, and into the Texas Panhandle. Have a story idea? Send it in at newmedia@amarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Catch the XIT Rodeo in Dalhart and these Amarillo events this week
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
