9 things to do over Labor Day Weekend in Amarillo
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Amarillo offers a weekend full of family friendly fun with Labor Day Weekend activities, some beginning as soon as Friday and continuing through Monday. Some activities to enjoy in the area include the annual Crime Stoppers Car Show, the Boys Ranch Rodeo, a Dwight Yoakam concert, the downtown community market, Wonderland's last weekend of the season, the Friday Art Walk and more.
Beef Up the Blood Drive
Kicking off the weekend with good food and a good deed, community members can donate blood Thursday and Friday, receive an all-beef hot dog, and enter for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate in beef.
During the two-day event, blood donors can help to "beef up" the Coffee Memorial Blood Center blood supply and receive a limited edition “Got Guts?” glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. Each donor will also receive an all-beef hot dog courtesy of Beef Loving Texans and be entered for a chance to win the $500 gift certificate.
Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Coffee Memorial Blood Center, stated in a news release: “Although we have fun with this event, saving the lives of our family, friends and neighbors is a serious matter ... We are grateful for Beef Loving Texans for helping us to encourage donors to take time before Labor Day weekend to help us prepare for any emergency that may occur.”
Blood can be accepted from donors 16 years and older. Blood can be donated every 56 days, and platelets can be given as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.
First Friday Art Walk
Kicking off the weekend of Labor Day events is the First Friday Art Walk, which is held each month at the Arts in the Sunset, located at 3701 Plains Blvd.
The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., and community members can enjoy the new facility while enjoying local art and live entertainment. As previously reported by the Globe-News, for those that have been over the past few months, new artwork is exhibited each month, offering a one of a kind experience.
This month will be the opening of the Centers Fall show, and food trucks will be available during the event.
Dwight Yoakam Concert
Friday evening to round off the night, community members are encouraged to attend the Dwight Yoakam concert in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S Buchanan St., from 8 p.m. to midnight.
According to the event listing on the city's civic center website, Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and he is a 21-time nominated, multiple Grammy Award winner. Yoakam has 12 gold albums and 9 platinum or multi-platinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart and another 14 landing in the Top 10. Nearly 40 of Yoakam’s singles have charted on Billboard, with 14 peaking in the Top 10. Yoakam is a recipient of the Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association, the most prestigious award offered by the organization, among many more accomplishments.
Some of Yoakam's chart toping songs include "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere," "Guitars, Cadillacs," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Honky Tonk Man," " Streets of Bakersfield," "Come on Christmas," "Buenas Noches From an Lonely Room" and many more.
Attendees are encouraged to use facility entrances #12 and #1. To purchase tickets or more information, visit them online at https://www.amarillociviccenter.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/27671/1273
Amarillo Community Market
Kicking off Saturday events, the weekly Amarillo Community Market will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at 1000 S. Polk.
The event will include a series of vendors selling a variety of handcrafted items, such as jewlery, lotions, wind chimes, leather goods, and much more including edible goods with food vendors, food trucks, fresh vegetables, fruits and and pretzels.
Live music will be provided by The Jengals from 10 a.m. to noon on the Carpet Tech Stage.
15th annual Crime Stoppers Car Show
Later Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Amarillo Crime Stoppers will host the 15th annual Crime Stoppers Car Show at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.
The event will include a several vintage and new vehicles to view, in addition to several vendor booths providing information and selling goods. General admission to attend the event is $5 per individual and free for children 10 and under. For more information about the show or to register your vehicle visit amapolice.org/car-show.
79th annual Boys Ranch Rodeo
Cal Farley's Boys Ranch will host its 79th annual Boys Ranch Rodeo on Saturday. Beginning at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event will host their Adventure Fest including noodle horse building, baby goat petting, face painting, photo booth oportunities, dunking booth, air rocket launches, dunk tank, bird house making and more.
The BBQ lunch will begin at noon including their famous fried pies. At 2:30 p.m. the rodeo will begin, including bronc riding, steer roping, steer riding, goat tying, chute dodging and more.
Tickets are available online, by phone at 806-687-3722 or at the gate on Sept. 2. Tickets include a BBQ lunch, admission to AdventureFest and the Rodeo.
For more information on the rodeo, visit them online at https://www.calfarley.org/rodeo/ .
Fill the Boot
Now through Saturday, community members can meet area Amarillo firefighters at well-traveled intersections throughout Amarillo and donate to their Fill the Boot fundraiser.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, members of the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) will be collecting monetary donations to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help individuals with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and related neuromuscular diseases.
"The Fill the Boot Campaign has become a sign of hope and compassion in the fight against muscular dystrophy, and the Amarillo Fire Department is proud to be a part of that," AFD Captain Jeremy Hill said.
For more information on this year's fundraiser, see a related story inside today's print and e-editions and online at amarillo.com.
Last Chance Wonderland
Beginning Friday through Labor Day weekend, Wonderland Amusement Park will be open to offer one last chance to WOW at Wonderland as their season comes to an end.
At the theme park, attendees can enjoy rides, games and food that everyone can enjoy.
Hours include Friday, 7-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-10 p.m., and Monday, Labor Day, 1-6 p.m.
For ticket pricing or more information, visit their website at https://www.wonderlandpark.com .
Outdoor Fun
In addition to all these local events, families can plan to have some fun in the sun and take advantage of the weather at local outdoor attractions such as Lake Meredith, Palo Duro Canyon or the Canadian River.
With temperatures reaching near triple digits, those planning for outdoor activities are cautioned to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to prevent heat exhaustion.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo offers family fun ahead of Labor Day
