Elevate Amarillo is excited to announce our annual professional development event at Amarillo College!
Join us on June 18th at the Amarillo College Union Building Room 203,2201 S Washington St, for Rooted: Building Business and Community. We’ll be hearing from a panel of two experienced community leaders! Doors open 6:00 pm and the event begins at
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Tracy Sommers (she,her,hers)
West Texas Area Director
www.afsp.org/westtexas
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
tsommers@afsp.org
T: 806.670.1227
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 23-27
9:00-12:00
Ages 4-12
Register Here:
https://westcliffbiblechurch.myanswers.com/mystery-island/
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TICKETS FOR ‘SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS’ AT HODGETOWN ON SALE NOW
Amarillo Symphony Returns for a Magical Night of Music, Food, and Fireworks on September 6
AMARILLO, TX (June 17, 2025) – The Amarillo Symphony and the Amarillo Sod Poodles are thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for the sixth annual “Symphony Under the Stars” at HODGETOWN. This year’s highly anticipated outdoor concert will take place on Saturday, September 6, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.
The Panhandle’s only professional symphony orchestra will be conducted by George Jackson as they kick off the 2025–26 season with an unforgettable program featuring the iconic music of John Williams. Audiences can expect beloved selections from legendary films such as Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter, and more.
An evening of timeless classics under the West Texas sky will be capped off with a spectacular Fireworks Finale presented by FirstBank Southwest making for a night the entire family can enjoy. Food and drink will be available throughout the event, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the full experience.
Tickets start at just $14 and can be purchased online HERE. A limited number of on-field VIP Tables are also available, each including seating for eight and a prime steak dinner, offering a front-row view of the performance.
The Amarillo Symphony gives special thanks to Street Toyota, Amarillo National Bank, CVB Film Commission, Physicians Surgical, and Sprouse, Shrader, Smith for helping bring this event to life.
Join us for a magical night of music, community, and celebration at the heart of downtown Amarillo. For premium hospitality options—including Dugout Suites, Concourse Suites, Luxury Suites, the Pepsi Party Deck, or the new City Federal Credit Union Fiesta Deck—please contact the Sod Poodles Front Office at (806) 803-9547 or email groups@sodpoodles.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the HODGETOWN Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Holiday: Chamber Closed for Juneteenth
The Chamber offices are closed today and will reopen on Friday, June 20th at 8am.
Arts in the Sunset: Check out local artists’ works throughout the gallery. (daily, hours vary; 3701 Plains Blvd.; free; 806-354-8802)
What is Juneteenth?
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared a formal end to slavery in the United States. However, change was not instant after the proclamation. Nearly two and a half years later, on June 19th, 1865, the enslaved African Americans of Galveston, Texas got the news by way of the Union army troops that freedom had come at last.
The next year, the people of Galveston commemorated that day as Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom. Since then, it’s been observed in communities and states as a holiday, but officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Why is the holiday called Juneteenth? The name blends the month and the day this news reached the people of Galveston: “June” plus “nineteenth” is Juneteenth. It’s also often called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
How do you explain Juneteenth to a child?
When talking about Juneteenth with children and teens, it’s important to remember that Juneteenth is a celebration – a celebration of freedom and the joyful recognition of the perseverance and spirit of Black people in this nation.
With that in mind, adjust your conversation to your child’s personal development, maturity level and what they’re learning about. For young children, you can share that Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates freedom for all people in the United States.
Define the word “freedom” and talk about what freedom means to them.
If your child is learning about American history, this short video from PBS Kids helps kids explore the history of Juneteenth and how it’s celebrated by families today.
Teenagers can have more nuanced conversations around Juneteenth – exploring concepts of freedom and civil rights, racism and prejudice, and modern-day racial injustice. Many Boys & Girls Clubs across the country host town halls, panels and other discussions for teens to be able to talk about racial inequity and other critical issues on their minds, asking for their critical thinking around how to inspire positive change in our nation.
