Good morning, Amarillo.

Parents and grandparents can save money at Amarillo's Just Between Friends Sale held at the Civic Center, which runs daily through Saturday with a half-price sale on Saturday+ families can also sell outgrown items to earn extra cash.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens will host the four-night Trail of 1,000 Jack O Lanterns from October 22nd through 26th with nightly hours from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will feature 1,000 carved pumpkins, including 300 made by local students, food trucks, and games (offering hot cider and chocolate) to give families a festive fall outing.

The city of Amarillo opened its new inclusive playground at Thompson Park on Oct.

17, where families and children of all abilities explored ramps, roller slides, and sensory zones right after the ribbon was cut. The $1.97 million project was built with federal funds and is part of a plan to improve more local parks—offering everyone a safe place to play.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, more than 500 people gathered at Amarillo’s old City Hall for the No Kings protest rally, part of over 2,600 nationwide events, where attendees waved flags, held flowers, and carried signs calling for democracy and unity—local organizers said the event showed rising civic engagement in the Panhandle as police kept a close but calm watch on the peaceful protest with a few counterprotesters on Buchanan Street.

The Amarillo Area Foundation Board announced Keralee Clay as its new president and CEO Monday morning—she had served as interim leader since November 2024.

Her appointment marks the foundation’s fifth leadership change as she has driven key projects like Panhandle Connected to improve opportunities in our region.

Western Bank broke ground on a new 12,000 square foot branch at 8611 Patriot Drive in the Patriot Drive business development on Soncy—designed with modern technology, drive-thru lanes and a community meeting space.

The branch is expected to open in Fall 2026 as part of the bank’s growing investment in Amarillo.

In Amarillo, some closed business signs remain up for years plus others are taken down quickly under corporate rules.

This difference has locals asking whether business owners or company policies drive the change.

A guide shows 10 top spots in Amarillo where residents can capture fall colors and families can enjoy crisp mornings and bold sunsets—offering ideal places for fun selfies and portraits.

The list highlights both local and nearby areas that perfectly display the season's charm.

Panhandle High School's FFA team won the state contest in April and received a $2,000 donation from Ag Texas Farm and Credit Services to cover expenses for the national Farm and Agribusiness Management competition in Indiana next week—12th-grade team members will represent Texas and showcase their agricultural business skills.

West Texas A&M University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its wildlife biology program at the 2025 Science Community Night on October 25 at 5:30 p.m.—the event will be held at Legacy Hall in the Jack B.

Kelley Student Center on Canyon campus and will feature former student Caroline Ellison discussing her career path at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department while funds raised support college scholarships.

The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health is hosting its 6th annual human sex trafficking symposium Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Happy State Bank Auditorium at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine—presented in partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and Northwest Texas Healthcare System.

Residents of the High Plains will safely dispose of expired medications at a Medication Cleanout event held at the TTUHSC Jerry H.

Hodge School of Pharmacy (1300 South Coulter St.) on Saturday, Oct 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as volunteers work a drive-thru drop-off to help prevent drug misuse and environmental harm.

On October 19, Amarillo welcomed padel—an energetic sport that blends tennis and squash—as two new courts opened for local play.

Residents can now try a fast-paced game that lets them play the ball off walls, creating a unique twist on pickleball.

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.

Ragtime Musical Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Amarillo Little Theatre — Cost info unavailable — Experience a sweeping musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel at the dawn of the 20th Century.

Ragtime Musical Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Amarillo Little Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the gripping storytelling of three families chasing the American Dream in this musical adaptation.

WRCA After Party with Jake Hooker & The Outsiders

1-2:30 p.m. — Amarillo National Center — Free entry — Celebrate the spirit of the rodeo with music and community vibes.

RHCSA Exam Preparation Training

Nov 17-21 — Amarillo College — $2250 — Rapid training to fill gaps in Linux system administration knowledge for RHCSA certification.