By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
Fun ways to give back in July include a street party, an arty ice cream social, a craft beer bash and more. Make your reservations and mark your calendars now.
AHF Car Wash
Route 66 Street Food Park will host a beach-party bike and car wash July 8 to benefit Amarillo Housing First.
The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. July 8 at the food park, 3000 S.W. Sixth Ave. Prices are $10 wash and dry, $5 for interior shine and $5 for tire shine.
The charity helps secure permanent housing and support services for the chronically homeless.
All Things Artful
The Amarillo Art Institute's annual summer festival — which will run from 5 to 8 p.m. July 8 at Amarillo Art Institute, 3701 Plains Blvd. — will feature local artists demonstrations and exhibitions, plus music by Boxcar Bandits.
Each attendee will get a handmade bowl filled with homemade ice cream, and food will be available from 575 Pizzeria, Sharky's Burrito Co. and Tyler's Barbecue, as will craft beer and wine.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Call 806-354-8802.
Amarillo Little Theatre Film Festival
Celebrate the films of director John Hughes at this annual two-day event benefiting Amarillo Little Theatre.
Films for Voice of a Generation: John Hughes include Ferris Bueller's Day Off at 7:15 p.m. July 14, National Lampoon's Vacation at 1 p.m. July 15 and The Breakfast Club at 3:15 p.m. July 15 at the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle.
A gala opening reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. July 14.
Admission is $50 for the gala (including food and drink, plus preferred seating at all screenings) and free for screenings. Bryan Vizzini, a West Texas A&M University history professor and film expert, will provide commentary at all screenings.
Call 806-355-9991.
Maverick's Amazing Race
Tackle a scavenger hunt through downtown Amarillo in this fundraiser for Maverick Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15, kicking off with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs facility, 1923 S. Lincoln St.
Teams of two wil complete mental and physical challenges within a five-mile radius of downtown Amarillo.
Registration is $35 each. Participants can take 30 seconds off their final time with each $100 raised up to $1,400. Teams who raise $1,500 or more will get to skip one challenge.
The top three teams overall will win cash prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500, respectively. Team costumes also will be judged.
Call 806-372-8393.
Crafts & Drafts
Celebrate handmade articles (and make your own) and sample hand-crafted beers at this festival at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
The party runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 15 at the museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon.
Attendees will taste beers from Big Texan Brewery, Long Wooden Spoon Brewery and Amarillo Beer Co., and nosh on beer-themed dishes at various food stations. Craft and domestic beer also will be served at a bar.
Partiers can make crafts with Spirited Expressions, play beer-themed trivia and beer bingo, and tour PPHM on a "booze cruise."
Tickets are $50 for ages 21 and older only. Reservations are due July 13.
Call 806-651-2244.
WOWW Wine Tasting
Sample wines and support educational services at this annual event.
The tasting will run from 5 to 7 p.m. July 18 at Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. The party will feature food, craft beer and, naturally wine, as well as a raffle for a trip to New York and other prizes
Proceeds benefit Window on a Wider World, which provides cultural experiences at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts for students around the Texas Panhandle.
Tickets are $35. Call 806-342-5600.
Discover AfterDark: Game Night
This adults-only event offers lessons in physics through an assortment of games. And drinks.
The party begins at 7 p.m. July 21 at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive. Proceeds benefit the center's programs.
Partiers will learn science while playing giant-sized versions of Jenga, Kerplunk and soccer billiards, as well as enjoying a catered dinner and open bar.
Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers by June 30, or $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers July 1 or later.
Call 806-355-9547.
SuperHero 5K and Benefit Car Show
Run or walk to support Amarillo Housing First, which helps the chronically homeless find permanent housing.
Costumes are suggested.
The event begins at 8 a.m. July 22 at Polk Street Nutrition, 1201 S. Polk St.
Entry fee is $35. Call 806-418-6762.
Pints for Pups 2017
Help raise funds for dogs and other animals in need at this party.
Pints for Pups 2017 will run from 6 to 9 p.m. July 22 at Long Wooden Spoon Brewery, 4098 Business Park Drive.
Ray Wilson will perform, and food trucks will be on hand from Krepe Asylum, Golden Light Cafe and Marble Slab Creamery, among others.
Admission is $15. Proceeds benefit Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society.
Call 806-373-1716.
Friends of PASO
This garden party for Panhandle AIDS Support Organization begins at 6 p.m. July 22 at 4216 Gem Lake Road.
The event will include food and drink, and it will honor 212 Club co-owner Kevin Locke.
Tickets are $25.
Call 806-372-1050.
Ragin' Cajun Golf Tournament
Hit the links in this annual fundraiser for Special Olympics.
Tee times are 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 29 at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, 50 Country Club Drive in Canyon.
The event also includes lunch. Entry fee is $360 for a four-person team.
Call 806-374-7171.
The Great Amarillo Boat Race
Handmade cardboard boats will race in a new fundraiser for Special Olympics of the Texas Panhandle.
The Great Amarillo Boat Race begins at 5 p.m. July 29 at Amarillo Town Club Southwest, 7700 Hillside Road. Check-in begins at 4 p.m.
A maximum of six people per team can compete in four categories: Pro, with all participants age 15 or older; kids, with all participants age 14 or younger; mixed, with at least one older than 15 and one 14 or younger; and family, with one or more parents and guardian plus children.
Awards will be presented for fastest time in each category, team spirit, best theme, epic fail and best craftsmanship.
Registration opens July 1. Cost is $30 per boat on or before July 21 and $40 per boat between July 22 and 28.
The event is free for spectators, and the event will include on-site food trucks, the ATC kiddie pool and splash pad.
Call 806-468-0301.
The Original Harley Party
The annual Family Support Services fundraiser roars back for a 23rd year.
Loaded Six, Hangman and The Buster Bledsoe Band will perform.
The party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. July 29 around the FSS building at 10th Avenue and Polk Street.
Admission is $80 for two.
Call 806-342-2503.
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.
