Good morning, Amarillo.

The famous Wienermobile will roll into Amarillo from October 27 to November 2–residents are asked to suggest events for it to visit.

Community members can help shape its route with ideas for festivals, charity events and birthday parties.

Monster Bash will take place on October 24 at the Don Harrington Discovery Center where families will enjoy hands-on science demos and Halloween fun.

Visitors must wear costumes and choose between the 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. time slots.

The City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department and Pirates of the Canyon will host the free Pirates of the Park event on Oct.

25 at John Stiff Memorial Park with parking opening at 5 a.m. and 25 hot air balloons set to launch at 7 a.m.—promising a unique daytime display. Evening festivities feature Halloween trick-or-treating from the balloons at 6 p.m., a costume contest, and a Balloon Glow at 7 p.m.—with park and lake closures on Oct. 24 at 10 p.m. for event preparations.

Applications are open for local small businesses to participate in West Texas A and M University’s Buff Business Summit and Competition held in December at Legacy Hall at the Jack B.

Kelley Student Center where 12 Texas Panhandle businesses will present challenges to high school students. The event offers hands-on business experience and scholarships totaling $24,000—linking business owners with future entrepreneurs.

The Amarillo International Film Festival is returning for its second year this weekend at Arts in the Sunset—using two screens to show over 62 films, including 11 features.

Festival Director Sherman Bass said the event grew with more international and local film submissions, promising a broader showcase for Amarillo’s film community.

Three Amarillo teachers—Jessie Smith, Ann Lough, and Haden Hart—were named Teachers on the Rise winners for September by United Family and Mrs Baird’s Bread; the award program began in August and received many nominations from students and families across the High Plains.

Families affected by Pleasant Valley Elementary’s closure met with Amarillo ISD officials last Thursday evening to express their concerns and request plans for reopening—citing years of falling enrollment and community loss.

Officials said they will work with residents as they face enrollment challenges in the future.

The City of Amarillo is set to break ground on Fire Station 14 on Tuesday, Oct.

14 at 11 a.m.—the new facility at 810 Quail Creek Drive is approved for $7.3 million, will cover nearly 19,000 square feet, and will include a training space for the fire department. Construction is expected to take 13 to 14 months, subject to weather conditions.

Kevin Nelson, president of 724 S Polk Street Operating, LLC, is seeking an $800K property tax incentive for purchasing the downtown Courtyard by Marriott hotel if the Center City TIRZ board approves the reassignment deal—Amarillo City Council will review the decision on October 14th. Nelson warned that his lender’s financing would be jeopardized without the tax break and noted that a failed reassignment might lead to legal action, though he does not plan to sue.

A federal cut of $68 million from COVID-era funding has raised fears that Narcan, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, will soon be in shorter supply in Texas.

Local groups like the Central Plains Center lost about $1 million in funds but can keep offering training and free Narcan for two years—although they order it in smaller amounts.

On Oct. 11, Harrington Breast Center in Amarillo will host the first annual Miles for Mammos 5K fun run and walk to promote early detection of breast cancer—128 people have signed up and a one-mile walk will honor survivors before the event concludes around 1:30 p.m. The event offers a practical opportunity for community members to learn about safe and effective mammography screening.

Today, the historic Amarillo Building - the city’s first high-rise built in 1925-26 - marks its 100-year celebration with a flag-raising ceremony featuring a new yellow flag inspired by its Art Deco design.

Local leaders who built the structure are honored, and the building will receive a historical marker next year.

Kids, Inc. broke ground on Rockrose Sports Park, a $30 million, 90-acre youth sports complex at 9100 Canyon Drive—fully funded by private donations—that will feature turf fields and room for an indoor facility, with dirt work starting in two to three weeks and the park expected to open by fall 2027.

Cottonwood Faire

10 AM – 6 PM — Thompson Memorial Park — Enjoy a variety of entertainment and food — Experience medieval combat, interact with characters, and relish festival fare at Amarillo's Renaissance faire.

Neon Slugfest - Calling All Slug Bugs Car Show

Get ready to glow at NEON SLUGFEST: Our 12th Annual Car Show happening Saturday, October 18th at Street Volkswagen! Live music, food trucks, prizes, face painting & more. It's free to register at streetvw.com

Autocross Event #5

8:30 a.m. — Westgate Mall — $35 SCCA Members, $45 Non-members — Experience the thrill of racing while helping set up the course at this exciting autocross event.

Motown: Back in the Day, Here to Stay

7-10:30 p.m. — The Bliss Venue — Tickets available — Experience a soul-stirring celebration of Motown music with electrifying performances from premier R&B groups.

VMware vSphere 8.0 Skill Up Training Class

Mon-Fri, Oct 27-31 — Amarillo College — $2400 — Enhance your VMware skills with this hands-on training course.

RED HAT ENTERPRISE LINUX SYSTEMS ADMIN I Training

November 3-7 — Amarillo College — $2250 — Comprehensive training course for aspiring Linux system administrators.

Hiring Red, White & You Job Fair

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Workforce Solutions Panhandle Child Care Services — Free entry — A job fair supporting veterans and the general public with multiple employer opportunities.