Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle
PO Box 15127
Amarillo, TX 79105-5127
Email not displaying correctly?
Pirates of the Park to Fly High October 25
Two-Part Event Includes Evening Trick-or-Treating
AMARILLO – For the first time in more than a decade, hot air balloons will fill the Amarillo sky as the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department (along with Pirates of the Canyon) provides “Pirates of the Park.”
The unique and free to the public two-part event will feature 25 hot air balloons taking off from John Stiff Memorial Park on October 25 beginning at 7 a.m. Parking lots to watch the takeoff open at 5 a.m. Evening festivities include trick-or-treating for kids from the hot air balloons beginning at 6 p.m. and a Balloon Glow event at 7 p.m.
“Pirates of the Park brings back a fun and exciting event for the Amarillo community,” said City of Amarillo Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation (PARD) Becki Dryer. “This is a unique two-part event that residents can enjoy throughout the day.”
Pirates of the Park includes:
- Free parking in the undeveloped area between the Amarillo Fire Department Station No. 13 and the Southwest Amarillo Public Library entrance off Parkside Drive.
- Halloween Costume Contest: The contest will begin at 6 p.m. at the park gazebo. Entry is first-come, first-served until spots are filled. Signup sheets will be at the PARD table.
- Liftoff for hot air balloons will take place weather permitting.
- Kids can trick-or-treat from the hot air balloons beginning at 6 p.m. – while supplies last. Participants will also be able to collect balloon trading cards from each of the hot air balloons.
- McDonald Lake and John Stiff Memorial Park will close on Friday (October 24) at 10 p.m.
For more information, go to: www.amarilloparks.org/programs-events/capture-the-season
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.
###
We invite all in the community to join us to run or walk in loving memory of Charlotte Leighann Price (10/25/16-11/6/16) on Saturday, October 25th at the Ronald McDonald House.
All participants will receive:
a 2025 Sunshine for Charlotte t-shirt
finisher medal (5K option only)
race bib
donation in your name to RMHC
free breakfast
admission to the Parking Lot After Party
Costumes are welcome, so feel free to come dressed as someone other than yourself!
The race will start PROMPTLY at 9:30am (9:00am with parking and warm up), and official timing
is available for the 5K option, courtesy of Lone Star Runners Club!
Can’t make it out for race day? No worries! Sign-up for the virtual option to run/walk on your own time.
Would you rather just stay in bed and still get a shirt? We have an option for that too!
All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House of Amarillo and will help to provide a home away from home to families of children receiving medical treatment. Can’t wait to see all of our friends and neighbors there!
https://www.rmhcofamarillo.org/
-
Friday Oct. 24th 12pm-7pm & Saturday Oct. 26th 10am-5pm Sharing Hope Ministry invites you to ring in the Holiday Season by attending the 25th Annual Christmas in October Holiday Market. Guaranteed…
Dispose of Unwanted Medications Safely at Upcoming Medication Cleanout
High Plains residents will have an opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused or unnecessary medications during the upcoming Medication Cleanout from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25) at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, located at 1300 South Coulter St.
The event, hosted in partnership with the Texas Panhandle Poison Center (TPPC), offers a convenient drive-thru drop-off format. Participants can remain in their vehicles while TTUHSC volunteers collect medications for safe disposal. Yard signs will guide drivers through the process, and residents are asked to leave
medications in their original containers.
“Medication Cleanout is all about making it simple for people to get rid of medicines they no longer need,” said Ronica Farrar, TPPC educator. “What seems like a small step—clearing out your medicine cabinet—can make a huge difference in keeping families and communities safe.”
Since its launch in 2009, Medication Cleanout has collected and safely disposed of more than 97,000 pounds of medications and sharps through 97 previous events across the Panhandle and West Texas. Saturday’s event marks the
program’s 98th collection, continuing this years-long effort to reduce accidental poisonings, medication misuse and environmental contamination.
Due to environmental restrictions, medications from clinics, pharmacies or businesses cannot be accepted. Farrar said that expired and unused medications are more than clutter—they’re a potential source of harm.
“Medications can easily become dangerous if left unsecured,” she said. “Children might mistake them for candy, teens may experiment with prescription drugs, and older adults can accidentally take the wrong medicine. We want to help prevent
those tragedies before they happen.”
With the ongoing rise in prescription drug abuse and medication-related suicides, Farrar said every small act of prevention matters.
“Since late 2023, overdose deaths have steadily declined each month — a strong sign that public health interventions are making a difference and having a meaningful impact,” she said. “Despite these overall improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.”
The Medication Cleanout program was developed by TPPC, which serves 71 counties across the Texas Panhandle, South Plains and surrounding regions. TPPC also operates a 24-hour poison helpline and provides community education about poison prevention, medication safety and overdose response.
For more information about the event, call (806) 414-9495 or visit www.MedicationCleanout.com.
Meaghan Collier
Director of Community Engagement
External Relations- Amarillo
TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy | Room 325
1400 S Coulter St | STOP: 230 | Amarillo, TX 79106
meaghan.collier@ttuhsc.edu
O: 806.414.9608 | C: 806.681.6274
Location: 301 S. Polk – Underground Basement
Date and Time: October 25 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
It’s a safe and fun way for children to collect treats (and maybe a few tricks!), while parents connect with valuable community resources. Costumes encouraged—and all are welcome!
Maria Garcia, M. Ed.
Program Director
Uniting Parents
32 Years of Service in the TX Panhandle
Coalition of Health Services, Inc.
301 S. Polk, Ste. 740
Amarillo, TX 79101
Office: 806.337.1700 Ext. 1212
Cell: 806.654-2579
Fax: 806.337.1702
Saturday: Oct. 25th
12 Noon until Sold out: Fish Fry Meal (Fish, Fries, Corn, Salad, Dessert & tea or soft drink)
$15 donation
Dine-in or Take-out. Hilltop Senior Citizen Center 1131 N Taylor Street Proceeds to Benefit Cancer Treatments for Donna Warner