Event Calendar

AMARILLO – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Northwest Texas Region Chief Joe Longway will deliver remarks at a special unveiling ceremony for a Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse statue tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29 at the DPS District Office in Amarillo. The new statue, named “Trooper,” will symbolize strength, honor and service and pay tribute to DPS personnel serving Texans in the Panhandle.

Region Chief Longway will be joined at the ceremony by other DPS leaders and personnel, as well as members of the community.

Established in 2002, Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse is a city-wide public art display project by Center City of Amarillo and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), which is headquartered in Amarillo. The project features dozens of life-size fiberglass American Quarter Horses designed by local artists and put on display at several locations around Amarillo.

WHAT: Remarks, unveiling ceremony

WHEN: Tuesday, July 29 at 9:00am

               Media arrival begins at 8:30am

WHERE: DPS Amarillo District Office

                  4200 Canyon Drive

 Amarillo, TX 79101

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(DPS – Northwest Texas Region)

Don Harrington Discovery Center: Explore the new permanent exhibition “Discover through Time.” (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sundays; 1200 Streit Drive; admission $14 adults; $11 seniors, military and students, and $9 children; 806-355-9547)

This summer, Ascension Academy is launching its own STEM-focused camps, designed for students eager to explore video game and app development at an intermediate and advanced level! Whether campers are taking their first steps in coding or refining their development skills, these immersive experiences will empower them to bring their ideas to life and prepare for future success in the ever-evolving world of technology. 

As a college preparatory academy, we are committed to fostering innovation, creativity, and technical skill-building, giving students hands-on experience with programming, logic, and design. 

Details:

• • Dates:
    Week 1, Intermediate Level: July 21-24, 10am-2pm each day
    Week 2, Advanced Level: July 28-31, 10am-2pm each day
  • Age Range: Rising 8th-12 grade students for the 2025-2026 school year (does not need to be an Ascension Academy student)
  • Cost: $200 per camper, per week
  • • Perks: Each camper will receive a license for the software solutions used in the camp for 30 days, along with a flash drive with all of the files and notes from the camp so they can continue to build on their projects long after the camp ends.

    Campers do not need to attend both weeks, although they certainly may! Campers should have basic navigation skills on a computer and have access to a personal email address. 

    Spaces are limited so parents should register their kids now! 

    Link to register: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/summercamps2025/event/summercamps2025

    Thank you in advance for sharing!
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AAMW Kicks Off Clear the Shelters Campaign

in August

AMARILLO – The City of Amarillo (COA) Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is partnering with NBC and Telemundo in the national Clear the Shelters campaign, a nationwide initiative designed to promote pet adoption and support local animal shelters.

The campaign begins Friday (August 1) and runs through the month.  On a national level, the campaign helped more than 160,000 animals across the country find homes.

“Together with communities nationwide, we’re clearing the shelters and filling hearts. Every adoption is a second chance and a shared success story,” said AAMW Outreach Coordinator Katrena Volden. “Clear the Shelters is a national movement, but here in Amarillo, it’s a celebration of compassion. Every adoption at AAMW helps build a stronger, kinder community.”

To support the effort locally, AAMW will waive adoption fees in August. Every adoption includes spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchipping – ensuring new pet owners take home a healthy, ready-to-love companion.

For more information about adoptable pets, including photos, breeds and ages, visit the AAMW adoption portal at httamw.amarillo.gov/adoption-and-resources/adoption-list

Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

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To media: Please see the news release for AAMW and the Clear the Shelters campaign.

Thanks,

David Henry

Media Relations Manager

Office of Engagement & Innovation

david.henry@amarillo.gov

O: 806-378-5219

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Ribbon Cutting: Amarillo Mitsubishi

12:00 p.m.

4341 Canyon Drive

Grand Opening / New Chamber Member

Open House from 11:30-1 with program at 12pm and ribbon cutting to follow at 12:15.

More Information: Olga, (806) 421-2700

Find this event on Facebook

HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: SOD POODLES WELCOME DOUBLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE MINNESOTA TWINS – WICHITA WIND SURGE

July 29 – August 3 Homestand Includes Four Specialty Jerseys, Theme Night, One-Of-A-Kind Bobblehead

AMARILLO, TX (July 29, 2025) – The Amarillo Sod Poodles return home to kick off a six-game set against the Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A, Minnesota Twins) tonight with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at HODGETOWN. The Soddies are coming off of a nine-game road trip where they went 6-3 against San Antonio (Double-A, San Diego Padres) and Corpus Christi (Double-A, Houston Astros). Multiple new pitchers were welcomed to the squad to bolster the bullpen and timely hitting propelled the Sod Poodles to a successful trip.

The visiting Wind Surge have ranked near the top with the Sod Poodles as one of the hottest teams in the Texas League since teams came back from the All-Star Break on July 18. Walker Jenkins (MLB #12 prospect via MLB Pipeline), Kaelen Culpepper (MLB #85 prospect via MLB Pipeline) and Kyler Fedko lead the way for Wichita’s offense while Amarillo counters with hot-hitting prospects of their own with the likes of Tommy Troy, Jose Fernandez, and Manuel Pena.

The homestand begins with Taco Tuesday and the Pointy Boots taking the field. The Yellow City Pigweeds return on Wednesday, which is also $2 Wiener Wednesday. On Thirsty Thursday, the first 1,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a Yilber Diaz Prospect Pennant giveaway. We salute our military personnel on Friday night with Military Appreciation Night. The Sod Poodles will wear special military-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off online as we end the night with fireworks. HODGETOWN transforms into a royal castle and swashbucklin’ pirate ship for Pirates and Princesses Night. The festivities begin pregame with a princess parade and end with a postgame fireworks display. Last but not least, the series concludes on Sunday with the final Calf Fries appearance of the season and an Ivan Melendez Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 1,500 fans.

All single-game tickets for this homestand along with the rest of the 2025 regular season are on sale at the HODGETOWN Box Office or online at www.sodpoodles.com/tickets. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sodpoodles.com, call the HODGETOWN Box Office at (806) 803-9547, or reach us via email tickets@SodPoodles.com.

A summary of details for each game can be found below:

Tuesday, July 29 – 7:05 p.m.

• Taco Tuesday presented by Ford – Fans can enjoy two tacos for $3 and $5 margaritas at HODGETOWN concession stands
• The Amarillo Sod Poodles become the Pointy Boots de Amarillo
• First Pitch – Ford
• Marketing Tables – AC Fire Academy
• Charity Spotlight presented by Tobacco Free Amarillo – AC Fire Academy
• National Anthem – The Liberty Belles
• Launch-A-Ball – Bridging The Gaps
• Lace up your running shoes, because Kids Run the Bases presented by Street Auto follows the action on Tuesday night!
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 30 – 7:05 p.m.

• Wiener Wednesday presented by Fast Restorations – Enjoy $2 hot dogs all game long at all HODGETOWN concession stands.
• The Amarillo Sod Poodles become the Yellow City Pigweeds
• First Pitch – Fast Restorations
• Marketing Tables – Fast Restorations
• National Anthem – Tina Shade
• Launch-A-Ball – Church of Christ at the Colonies
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 31 – 7:05 p.m.

• Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Texas Blue Lake Pools – $2 domestic drafts and fountain sodas!
• Prospect Pennant Giveaway #2 presented by Embassy Suites

• • Featured Soddie – Yilber Diaz
  • First 1,000 fans. One giveaway per person, per ticket.

• Ceremonial First Pitch – Texas Blue Lake Pools, Alpha Media
• First Pitch – Embassy Suites
• Marketing Tables –Texas Blue Lake Pools, Alpha Media, Mak-A-Wish, Embassy Suites
• Charity Spotlight presented by Tobacco Free Amarillo – Make-A-Wish
• National Anthem – The Hackett Family Quartet
• Launch-A-Ball – Make-A-Wish
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, August 1 – 7:05 p.m.

• Military Appreciation Night

• • The Soddies will don specialty Military-themed camo jerseys
  • 50% off tickets for all military and active first responders

• Fireworks Friday presented by Boom Adventures

• • Theme – Military
  • Postgame jersey auction (Online only)

• Marketing Tables – KAMR (Channel 4), Sport Clips, Monarch Investments, Express Employment Professionals, Bull Strength Barbell
• Small Business Spotlight presented by Carpet Tech – Bull Strength Barbell
• National Anthem – Sarah Mercer
• Color Guard – Tascosa High School Navy ROTC
• Launch-A-Ball – Salvation Army
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 2 – 7:05 p.m.

• Pirates and Princesses Night presented by Primrose
• Postgame Fireworks presented by Primrose

• • Theme – Pirates and Princesses

• Pregame Princess Parade
• First Pitch – Primrose
• Marketing Tables – Primrose, ENMU, Sport Clips, KVII (Channel 7), Andrea’s Project
• Charity Spotlight presented by Tobacco Free Amarillo – Andrea’s Project
• National Anthem – Canyon High School Band
• Launch-A-Ball – Tascosa Belles
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 3 – 6:05 p.m.

• Ivan Melendez Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Happy State Bank

• • First 1,500 fans, 12 and up. One giveaway per person, per ticket.

• The Amarillo Sod Poodles become the Amarillo Calf Fries

• • Will be the final time the Calf Fries jerseys are worn in 2025

• Hometown Hero Sunday presented by Bell – 50% off tickets for all military and active first responders
• Sod Pups Club Kids Run The Bases – Members of the Sod Poodles Kid’s Club presented by Sonic will get to run the bases shortly after the final out of the game!
• Ceremonial First Pitch – Bell
• First Pitch – Happy State Bank
• Marketing Tables – Happy State Bank, Bell, Blue Crane Bakery
• National Anthem – James Carter
• Launch-A-Ball – Bomb City Young Marines
• Gates open at 5:00 p.m.