By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
August will offer several hot chances for fun and philanthropy at a series of parties and other fundraisers. Use this guide to mark your calendars!
Women of Distinction
A quartet of Amarillo women will be honored by Girl Scouts of Texas-Oklahoma Plains on Aug. 3.
The Women of Distinction luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St. Tickets are $35; sponsorships are available.
Women leaders in business, government and philanthropy will be recognized: Brandi Reed with the Discover Award; Carol Lovelady with the Connect Award; Cindy Smith with the Take Action Award; and Poppy McCarty with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Call 806-553-3176.
Koben Puckett Invitational
Cowboys will tackle some feisty beasts at this Professional Bull Riders-sanctioned competition Aug. 5.
Puckett was paralyzed from the neck down in a 2008 bull-riding accident, as he told me in an interview last year. He founded the Koben Puckett Invitational, a bull- and ranch bronc-riding event that will be back for a fourth year at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Will Rogers Range Riders Arena, 313 Texas Loop 335. Gates open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $20 at the event or $17.50 in advance.
The event raises funds for the Press On Foundation, which has helped Puckett and those like him afford rehab and therapy to help them recover from severe spinal cord injuries.
St. Joseph's Steak Dinner
St. Joseph Catholic Church will host its annual steak dinner and casino night Aug. 12.
The vent begins at 6:30 p.m. at Laurenco Stone Events, 310 S. Ross St.
Tickets are $75. Call 806-678-8725.
America's Horse in Art Show & Sale
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the America's Horse in Art show and sale Aug. 12.
The free opening reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the museum, 2601 E. Interstate 40.
Featured artist is Joni Beinborn. Beinborn and other artists chosen for the show will attend the reception. Works will be auctioned off at the show and online, with proceeds benefiting the museum.
The show, which will feature works ranging from pencil drawings to oils on canvas, will hang through Oct. 12.
Call 806-376-5181.
Create!
The Create! family arts festival returns for a second year, and its VIP preview party will be the first event in the new Embassy Suites Hotel.
The party begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the hotel, 550 S. Buchanan St. Tickets are $75 or $2,500 for reserved tables.
The festival itself runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Amarillo Public Library downtown branch, 413 S.E. Fourth Ave., and its parking lots. Vendors selling arts and crafts and nonprofits with free art activities for children are sought. Admission is free.
Proceeds from the VIP party benefit Center City of Amarillo and the Amarillo Cultural District.
Call 806-372-6744.
EQTX Summer Soirée
A casual EQTX Summer Soirée cocktail and dinner party will feature a seafood meal with lobster and shrimp.
The party, which also will include an open bar and games, is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at 1201 N. Western St.
Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 at the door, and will benefit Equality Texas.
Call 806-570-7889.
Santa in the Summer
Get chill at the '80s-themed Santa in the Summer on Aug. 26.
The fundraiser for Eveline Rivers Christmas Project will feature Amarillo retro cover band Cassettes, silent and live auctions and a meal provided by the Coors Cowboy Club.
Tickets are $65 for singles and $120 for couples.
Call 806-372-3985.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
