News

The Donley County Senior Citizens will hold its fourth annual That Senior Thang “FAM FEST” this Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This event is designed to raise awareness of Donley County Senior Citizens Center and its needs with a fun-filled family night. The date of this event has been changed to avoid extreme weather of August and the back-to-school rush.

The day will kick off with BBQ chickens, which can be picked up at 1:00 p.m. and followed with loads of fun. The concession stand and country store will satisfy every taste bud. There will be plenty of good food and snacks to keep you fueled for all the games and activities.

There will be everything from free carnival games for the little ones to ladder ball and horse shoes for the kids at heart.

Competitions for those who want a challenge include Corn Hole, 2 on 2 Basketball, Water Dodge Ball, Texas Skis and Water Balloon Blast can be played for a small fee with the winner taking half of the entry fee as prize.

Be sure to get your raffle tickets on the quilt and the 50/50 drawing. Don’t forget to stop by the Estlacks’ table and pick a spot in the Chicken Drop Bingo. Local musicians will entertain those in attendance from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This event has something for everyone so bring your own chair and come join the fun next Saturday afternoon. Check out the event on Facebook for more information.

Bargain shoppers will be in for a treat during the 19th annual “Trash to Treasures” garage sale event that will be held in Clarendon and Howardwick this Saturday, June 1. SEE MAP HERE.

A total of 22 individual garage sales are scheduled to be held. A complete description of each sale is printed on the official Treasure Maps located on the last page of this week’s Clarendon Enterprise.

From furniture to antiques, this weekend’s sales will feature hundreds of treasures just waiting to be uncovered at bargain prices. Sales generally start at 8 a.m. and run throughout the day.

“Trash to Treasures” is being promoted with advertising dollars in area communities thanks to the support of the official sales depicted on the maps. It is those official sales that make the Trash to Treasures event possible.

Thanks to the marketing paid for by those sales, many people from neighboring counties are expected attend this year’s event.

Entries are now open for the 2024 Herring Bank Parade, which will be held Saturday, July 6, during the 147th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration in Clarendon.

The theme for this year’s parade is “A Salute to Service” and honors America’s men and women in uniform. Entry forms are available at the Visitor Center and online at ClarendonTX.com/parade.

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $250 available for the best float, $150 for the best car or truck entry, $150 for the best animal or riding unit, $150 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $150 for the best “other” entry.

Pre-registration is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entrants must follow the theme for prizes also. Entry forms are due by 5 p.m. on July 3.

This year’s celebration will be held July 4, 5, and 6.

A new event will mark the official start of the celebration. The July Fourth Bingo & BBQ hosted by the Clarendon Lions Club at the Lions Hall, will start Thursday morning, July 4. The event will be similar to the Bingo Brunch the club held in 2022 with fabulous prizes for bingo enthusiasts to win. More information on this event will be released soon.

The COEA Junior Rodeo will be held Thursday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 5, at the same time. Dances will be held following the rodeos this year.

The big day will be Saturday, July 6, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair on the square at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Pre-registration is required to win the kid parade prizes. Entry forms are available at the Visitor Center and will be online later this week.

Line up for the Herring Bank Parade begins at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The Shriners barbecue will follow the parade at 11 a.m. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.

The Lawnmower Race will also be held July 6 on the square, and the Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual Best of Donley County competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts. More information about those competitions will be available soon on ClarendonTX.com.

The Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

The public is invited to come join the Donley County Senior Citizens at the fourth annual That Senior Thang “FAM FEST” on Saturday, June 1, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This event is designed to raise awareness of Donley County Senior Citizens Center and its needs with a fun-filled family night.  The date of this event has been changed to avoid extreme weather of August and the back-to-school rush.

The day will kick off with BBQ chickens, which can be picked up at 1:00 p.m. and followed with loads of fun.  The concession stand and country store will satisfy every taste bud. There will be plenty of good food and snacks to keep you fueled for all the games and activities.

There will be everything from free carnival games for the little ones to ladder ball and horse shoes for the kids at heart.  Competitions for those who want a challenge include Corn Hole, 2 on 2 Basketball, Water Dodge Ball, Texas Skis and Water Balloon Blast can be played for a small fee with the winner taking half of the entry fee as prize.

Be sure to get your raffle tickets on the quilt and the 50/50 drawing.  Don’t forget to stop by the Estlacks’ table and pick a spot in the Chicken Drop Bingo. Local musicians will entertain from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This event has something for everyone so Bring Your Own Chair and come join the fun next Saturday afternoon. Check out the event on Facebook.

A Stargazing Party is planned at Jericho on Friday, June 7, as the ghost community prepares for this summer’s annual Route 66 Festival.

In addition to telescopes set up by the Amarillo Astronomy Club for gazing at the heavens, a full line-up of fun activities is planned for the evening, which includes live music, vendors, and food trucks.

Frost’s Custom Classics will have classic cars showcased at the event, which begins at 5 p.m. and runs until midnight. There is no charge for admission.

Vendor set-up will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Festivities kick off at 5:00, and vendors will close at 9:00 as the Stargazing gets underway hosted by the Amarillo Astronomy Club.

“The evening promises to be a magical experience for all who attend,” said Jericho townsite co-owner Blanca Schaefer.
Located north of Clarendon on SH 70, about half a mile south of Interstate 40, the old Donley County community is experiencing renewed interest as Route 66 enthusiasts have started coming to experience the history of the Jericho Gap.
The Stargazing Party is an official TX 66 Festival Event. For more information about this summer’s Route 66 festival, go to VisitAmarillo.com/TX66Fest; and for more information about Donley County’s Route 66 community, visit Facebook.com/JerichoOn66.

Residents who wish to participate in this year’s “Trash To Treasures” need to contact the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on Friday, May 24, to sign up.

The 19th annual Trash To Treasures garage sale event will be held Saturday, June 1.

For $25, each household will get a 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale signs. In addition, the Enterprise will print a city map the week of the event indicating the location of each sale and will promote the countywide garage sale in area newspapers and radio ads as well as on social media and digital platforms.

For more information, call 874-2259 or come by the Enterprise office at 105 S. Kearney.

Early voting started Monday, May 20, and continues through Friday, May 24, for Donley County voters in Precinct 3 as incumbent Commissioner Neil Koetting faces a runoff election with challenger Greg Wootten for the Republican nomination.

Wootten was the top vote getter in the March primary in the three-person race for Koetting’s job, but he did not get more than 50 percent of the vote, which prompted this month’s runoff election.

Eligible voters include Republicans who already voted in the Republican primary and other voters who did not cast a ballot in either primary in March. Voters who cast ballots in the Democratic primary cannot vote in the Republican runoff.

Early voting is being conducted at the Donley County Courthouse Annex from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through this Friday.

Election day will be Tuesday, May 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Precinct 301 voters casting ballots at the Donley County Courthouse and Precinct 303 voters casting ballots at the First Baptist Church in Hedley.