Enjoy a day in Palo Duro Canyon as Texas State Parks celebrate 100 years
The Prairie Palooza celebration is set to take place in the canyon this weekend.
The Palo Duro Canyon Foundation and Texas State Parks are coming together to celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks and Palo Duro Canyon State Park's (PDCSP) heritage with the event, to be held Saturday, Sept. 16 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the park located at 11450 Park Rd. 5 in Canyon.
"We are not celebrating 100 years with the Palo Duro Canyon, not yet, but we are celebrating 100 years of Texas state parks as a whole, which came into fruition in 1923," said Bradley Kliemann, park interpreter at PDCSP. "Our theme is 100 years of the past, and 100 years of the future in the state park, so we will be looking at our history and the next partnerships for the future of PDCSP."
According to Kliemann, the Prairie Palooza will include booths and vendors with local businesses, food trucks, activities, exploration of a traditional native American teepee, roping events and more.
Kicking off the event, the community is invited to participate in the Sad Monkey Mercantile 5K Race beginning at 7:30 a.m. All funds raised by the run will benefit the Amarillo VA Healthcare System's Suicide Prevention Program.
Those who register are encouraged to pick up their packets Friday, Sept. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. Individuals can register online at http://getmeregistered.com/SadMonkey5K .
Beginning at 10 a.m., attendees are welcome to enjoy the natural views and local vendors, as well as the park's gift shop until 1 p.m., where the Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation Chuckwagon Lunch will begin, featuring their authentic chicken fried steak lunch for $25 per ticket, with 15 participating chuckwagons.
Tickets are being sold through Panhandle Tickets at www.panhandletickets.com until Friday, Sept. 15.
"Our Chuckwagon meal is an option for those that want a little more than the food truck and are looking for that authentic meal that you would commonly eat 100 years ago in the Canyon," Kliemann said.
Closing off the evening, there will be a free special performance of TEXAS Outdoor Musical at 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Amphitheater. The performance will showcase some of the music and dance from the show. Tickets are not necessary, and seating will be first come, first serve.
"We just want the community to come and celebrate with us, enjoy the views that many have come here for, for over 100 years, and help us prepare for the next 100 years with Texas State Parks," Kliemann said.
Following the performance, attendees are invited to round off the evening at the Sad Monkey Mercantile, located one mile outside the park entrance on the south side of Highway 217, for live music and beverages.
Admission into the park will be will be free all day Saturday. Free parking and a shuttle will be provided to PDCSP from Sad Monkey Mercantile, sponsored by Visit Amarillo.
Shaded seating will be provided, and beverages will be available for purchase. The park does ask for those planning to attend to be aware of the weather and to utilize sunscreen, wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, wear a hat, and drink plenty of water.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Prairie Palooza celebrates Texas state parks at Palo Duro Canyon
