By Chip Chandler — Producer
Once again, Amarillo's Fourth of July fireworks will pop early.
In a press conference today, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and other officials announced that the second Route 66 Celebration will take place on June 30 in downtown Amarillo.
A planning committee, headed by former Amarillo Globe-News events planner Susie Self, will throw a party beginning at 4 p.m. June 30 in several downtown locations.
Previously, the Fourth of July fireworks show had been sponsored by the Amarillo Globe-News since 1954, held at Dick Bivins Stadium, Thompson Memorial Park and John Stiff Park before moving downtown last year. The paper was sold last year by Morris Communications to GateHouse Media.
Following the sale, the future of the fireworks celebration was in doubt.
"The mayor and the city council said, 'No, we're still going to have this,'" Self said. "The chamber stepped up and between them, the mayor and the council, it's going to happen with the help of our generous sponsors."
The Globe-News remains on board as a sponsor, but not the presenting sponsor as in years past. Publisher Robert Granfeldt did not immediately return a call for comment.
"Events like this bring the community together and lets them enjoy all of the improvements in the downtown area and celebrate our country’s freedom with their families and loved ones," said Gary Molberg, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
Like last year, the party will be held in advance of the actual Fourth of July holiday. (Panhandle PBS will post a full roundup of Fourth of July celebrations around the area later in June.)
"It's so people can still go to other July 4th events," Self said. "When we did it at the Globe-News, it was hard to get volunteers and vendors on the holiday."
The pre-July 4 celebrations on June 30 also will include the regular Amarillo Community Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Polk Street between Fifth and Eighth avenues (instead of surrounding the chamber office, as it does every other week) and the Route 66 Heart of Amarillo Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring live music, '50s and '60s costume contest, car show, bike show and more on Sixth Avenue between Georgia and Western streets.
Following that, the Amarillo's Route 66 Celebration kicks off at 4 p.m.
A food truck alley will be located on Seventh Avenue between Polk and Fillmore streets. The Joe's Hospitality Center, provided by Joe Daddy's and Joe Taco, will feature adult beverages and food at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Taylor Street.
The Amarillo National Bank Stage between Sixth and Seventh avenues on Polk Street will feature The DustJackets at 5 p.m., Rock Bottom at 7:45 p.m. and Insufficient Funds at 8:30 p.m.
The Happy State Bank Stage at Sixth Avenue and Taylor Street will feature DJ Tommy the Hacker.
A fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. from the construction site for the future multi-purpose event center on Buchanan Street.
Leading up to the celebrations are a pair of concerts at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive: Americana favorites Reckless Kelly at 7:30 p.m. June 28, and an '80s Night with Amarillo rock band Noah Jenda at 7:30 p.m. June 29.
Chip Chandler is a producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
