by Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
Texas country star Wade Bowen will headline Best of Texas, the 26th annual fundraiser for Junior League of Amarillo.
“It’s the Junior League’s biggest fundraiser and helps us provide our donations to different groups across the Panhandle,” event co-chair Jessica Needham said.
The party begins at 6 p.m. Friday in the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave.
Festivities begin with a happy hour at 6 p.m., followed by music from on-the-rise Lubbock singer-songwriter Dalton Domino. A steak dinner catered by Virdinski’s Rub Shack comes next, followed by Bowen’s show at 9 p.m.
Bowen, a longtime fixture on the Texas and Oklahoma music scenes, released his first gospel album, “Then Sings My Soul: Songs for My Mother,” in March. The album features such standards as “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” “Old Rugged Cross” and more.
Live and silent auctions will be held throughout the night, and tickets are available for a drawing for a trip to Jamaica. Other options are a wine and liquor pull and a diamond dig. A cash bar will be open, as well.
Tickets are $75, and tables of eight are $1,000 or $1,500.
“It’s a relaxed atmosphere, not fancy,” Needham said. “People wear jeans and T-shirts, or they can dress up if they want, and we provide a great meal and great entertainment.”
The League hopes to raise $60,000 at the event, which will be used to support its core programs, the A.C.E. scholarship program and other community assistance needs, Needham said.
The event has raised more than $1.7 million in its history.
Plus, the League will hold its third Shotgun Shoot-Out at 8 a.m. Saturday at River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durrett Drive. Entry fee is $150; shooters must provide ammunition.
For information, call 806-374-0802.
* Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/chipchandlerwriter on Facebook.
