Kristina WoodAmarillo Globe-News
Grab your boots and hats because the rodeo is in town. This weekend dozens of farmers and ranchers from the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and New Mexico will descend upon Amarillo for the 36th Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo.
The rodeo will mark the start of this year's Texas Route 66 Festival, which continues through next weekend in Amarillo. The rodeo showcases the cowboy way and a wide variety of skills while teams and individuals compete for top rankings at the Amarillo National Center at the Tri-State Fairgrounds Thursday through Saturday evenings, June 6-8.
Participating teams will include last year's winner, the K-Bar Cattle Co. Featured events will include mutton bustin', roping, saddle bronc riding, steer gathering, branding, trailer loading and wild cow milking.
Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Thursday (brats and brew, while supplies last) and Friday (BBQ and brew), with the rodeo competitions beginning at 7 p.m. and a dance following the excitement at 10 p.m.
Nearly 60 Texas Longhorns and other motorized groups and riders will parade through downtown Amarillo as part of the Amarillo Coors Cowboy Club Cattle Drive at 10 a.m. Saturday. The morning's iconic cattle drive, starting down Polk and winding its way to the fairgrounds, located at 3301 SE 10th Ave., will be followed by the chuckwagon cook-off and vendor shopping that afternoon at the Amarillo National Center.
Here's the full Texas Route 66 Festival schedule
Thursday, June 6
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo Kick-Off: 6-10 p.m., Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds.
First Thursday Art Walk: 4-7 p.m., Amarillo Route 66 Historic District.
Music in the Gardens: 6-9 p.m., Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
Night Under the Neon: 6:30 p.m., U-Drop Inn Cafe. Live music from Texas Crossroads Band, diner-style food, music, and fun for the whole family.
Friday, June 7
Disco in the Desert: 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Cactus Cove Inn & Suites and The Western Horseman Club. Route 66-themed celebration with live music, Corvette car show, and unveiling of a new mural.
Celebrity Fast Draw Shoot Out: 3 p.m., Rex Baxter Building.
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo: 7 p.m., Amarillo National Center.
Star Watch Party: 5 p.m.-12 a.m., Jericho on 66. Hosted by the Amarillo Astronomy Club, the event offers an enchanting evening under the stars with food trucks, live music, and celestial wonders. Family and pet-friendly, weather permitting.
Embassy Suites Route 66 Tailgate Party: 5-7 p.m., The Embassy Suites Downtown Amarillo. Pre-ballgame event with drinks and snacks, cornhole, live music and prizes.
HPPR Music from the Silver Screen: 9 a.m.-noon. High Plains Public Radio offers a three-hour curated playlist of cinematic tunes featured in films and songs referencing the Mother Road. Listen in Amarillo on 105.7 FM, in Bushland on 91.5 FM, 89.3 FM in Dalhart, and 89.5 FM in Spearman/Perryton.
Saturday, June 8
CCC Downtown Cattle Drive & Parade: 10 a.m., 11th & Polk St. to Tri-State Fairgrounds.
Route 66 Motor Tour Car Show 2024: noon-4 p.m., Dream Maker Station.
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo: 7 p.m., Amarillo National Center.
Coors Ranch Rodeo Beers & BBQ: 5 p.m., Amarillo National Center.
Coors Ranch Rodeo Dance: 10 p.m., Amarillo National Center.
Hodgetown Route 66 Night & Drone Show: 7 p.m., Hodgetown.
Sunday, June 9
Low Rider Cruise: 6-7:30 p.m.: Amarillo Boulevard.
Monday, June 10
Amarillo Film Society Screening: Doors open at 6 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m., Goldenlight Cantina.
Tuesday, June 11
June Jazz: 7-9 p.m., Amarillo College campus.
Wednesday, June 12
TX 66 East Bus Tour: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., starts at 1000 S. Polk St. Tickets ($50) include step on tour-guide, lunch, snacks, drinks, and Texas 66 Coin Cruise Album. Enjoy a day filled with quirky Route 66 attractions like Britten Leaning Water Tower, iconic spots like the Jerricho ghost town, Devil's Rope Museum, and more. Lunch at the Conoco Tower Station and UDrop Inn. The tour includes a happy hour and live music at Cactus Rose Taphouse, with an optional evening visit to the Texas Route 66 Center.
High Noon on the Square: noon-1 p.m., Potter County Courthouse Lawn, 501 S. Fillmore.
Soiree: 5-8 p.m., Cactus Rose Taphouse.
Thursday, June 13
TX 66 West Bus Tour: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., starts at 1000 S. Polk St. Tickets ($50) include step on tour-guide, lunch, snacks, drinks, and Texas 66 Coin Cruise Album. City tour of Vega, visits to historical sites such as Magnolia Station and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum, as well as unique stops like Dots Mini Museum and the Bent Door Cafe. Attendees will enjoy lunch at Midpoint Cafe, followed by visits to Sunflower Station, Russel’s Truck & Travel Center & Car Museum, and the Glenrio Ghost Town. End the tour at Mama Jo’s Pie & Sweets and live music on the Courthouse Lawn.
Route 66 Speed Dating Tonight: 3 p.m., Amarillo College Concert Hall Theater. Experience Amarillo Opera Institute’s captivating presentation showcasing the culmination of their intensive two-week opera program. The recital will feature solo performances and staged scenes from Michael Ching’s opera, Speed Dating Tonight.
Shifters & Shakers Mixology Masterclass: 5:30-7 p.m., Paramount Recreation Club. Learn the art of crafting three signature Route 66-themed co*cktails. Tickets are $45.
Texas Route 66 Visitor Center Celebration: 6-8 p.m., Texas Route 66 Visitor Center.
Friday, June 14
May's Days on the Square: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Shops at Wolflin Square. The Shops are celebrating 60 years and bringing back May’s Days on the Square with a Route 66-themed celebration featuring live music, food trucks, marching bands, and sales at all participating stores.
Braxton Keith - Slug Bug Ranch Christening: 6 p.m., concerts start at 7 p.m., Starlight Ranch Event Center.
Route 66 Speed Dating Tonight: 3 p.m., Amarillo College Concert Hall Theater. Amarillo Opera Institute recital will feature solo performances and staged scenes from Michael Ching’s opera, Speed Dating Tonight.
Saturday, June 15
Fitness @ KT Black Route 66 5K Run/Walk: Check-in at 10 a.m., run begins at 10:30 a.m., walk at 11 a.m., taking place on the iconic Route 66 Mother Road.
TX 66 Festival Finale Presented by Amarillo National Bank: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Amarillo Route 66 Historic District, free admission. Attendees can expect a wide range of attractions from vendor booths, food options and live music to Elvis impersonators, Miss Texas Route 66 Pinup Pageant, kids' activities, corn dog eating contests, a car show, a bike show, and much more.
For more information about the rodeo, visit coorsranchrodeo.com.
For more information about the festival, visit visitamarillo.com/events/route-66/.
