'Bent but not broken': Perryton hosts Wheatheart of the Nation celebration in August

Nell Williams
·3 min read

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and Perryton is not stopping after the devastating tornado that took the community by surprise. The 104th celebration is the first community-wide event being held since the tornado hit earlier this summer.

Wheatheart of the Nation has events scheduled all month. Beginning on Friday, Aug. 11, a Junior High School Dance sponsored by Crimestoppers was held; on Saturday, the Perryton High School Band March-A-Thon took place. The NOWJR Rodeo at the Rodeo Grounds and live music at Perryton National Bank parking lot was scheduled for Saturday evening with the Velvet Funk Band.

This week, a Block Party is planned for Thursday, Aug. 17, on Main Street by Chamber of Commerce and RTC, according to the schedule. The 25th Annual Wheatheart Rodeo will be held Friday, Aug. 18.

The Radio Shack on Perryton Main Street had its roof collapse from the EF-3 tornado in June in Perryton.
The Radio Shack on Perryton Main Street had its roof collapse from the EF-3 tornado in June in Perryton.

The parade, called “Bent but not Broken,” reflects the resilient spirit of the town and will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Earlier in the day, a free breakfast will be held at 6 a.m. at the United Supermarket parking lot, followed by the Wheatheart Rodeo Slack at 8:30 a.m. at the Rodeo Grounds.

Along with the parade on Aug. 19, participants can choose to go to the NHS Car Show at Perryton National Bank (being held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and an Oldtimers Parade Watch Party at 9 a.m. at Whigham Park, followed by the Wheatheart Free Old Fashioned Cookout featuring BBQ at the Expo at 11:30 a.m. At Pioneer Days at the Museum of the Plains, for a small fee, you can enjoy burgers and homemade ice cream at noon.

Later that evening, a fun rodeo event involving clown tricks with bulls, called “Bullfighting,” will be at the Rodeo Grounds along with live music with Cameron James Smith.

The main weekend for the Wheatheart celebration, set for Aug. 17-19, may draw up to 3,000 people, according to the Chamber of Commerce, with the event having been advertised in 10 counties.

Perryton, a small community of around 8,500, was rocked by the tornado that destroyed 419 homes and 92 businesses. There are still 12 families housed at the Ambassador Hotel. However, according to Crystal Richardson, Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce Vice Director, they did not qualify for FEMA assistance. Panhandle Community Services out of Amarillo has been instrumental in helping the community get back on its feet, according to Richardson.

School started Thursday in Perryton, helping the kids to get back to a sense of normality. Even though none of the schools were damaged by the tornado event, Main Street will never look the same, Richardson said.

“Getting a sense of normality is huge for any community after a situation like this. I think it’s going to be good for morale and good for the beginning of the school year for our kids,” said Richardson. “People from all around the area attend the festival and parade, with several marching bands participating and each receiving $1,000."

“We want people to come and celebrate our community, and eat at our restaurants, and shop at our little stores, because a lot of them took huge hits,” she said.

For a complete schedule of events, go to perryton.org/wheatheart-celebration for more information. Those wishing to contact the Chamber of Commerce in Perryton-Ochiltree can call 806-435-6575.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Perryton hosts 104th Wheatheart festivities, parade in wake of tornado