Here’s a quick look at several events, meetings and community developments happening across Amarillo and the surrounding area. From the final stretch of baseball season to fundraisers and a proposed park renaming, here are six stories to have on your radar.

Sod Poodles Close Out Season With Fireworks, Fundraiser

The Amarillo Sod Poodles are winding down the 2026 regular season with a pair of fireworks shows and a charitable fundraiser. Friday night’s postgame fireworks will pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton, while Saturday will feature an even larger show celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Saturday’s game will also include a live auction involving the players in the starting lineup, with proceeds benefiting the Dave Elmore Sod Poodles Foundation and its support of local causes. The Sod Poodles will then turn their attention to a best-of-three divisional playoff series against Frisco, with Games 2 and 3, if necessary, on the road. If Amarillo advances, the Sod Poodles will host Springfield or Tulsa for the title on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Amarillo Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy Returns

The Amarillo Fire Department is bringing back its Citizens Fire Academy for a third year, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at the department. The interactive academy introduces participants to firefighters, equipment and specialized services while keeping safety a priority. The program begins Sept. 24, shortly after the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with AFD Public Information Officer Jason Love saying the timing offers an opportunity to connect the work of first responders on 9/11 with the work firefighters continue to do every day. Registration is open, but space is limited. The deadline to register is Sept. 14.

Amarillo City Council Sets Special Tax Rate Meeting

Amarillo City Council will hold a special meeting at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in Room 3400 at City Hall. Council members are scheduled to discuss and consider the proposed maintenance and operations and debt service tax rates for the City of Amarillo’s proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The meeting is open to the public. It will also be livestreamed on the City of Amarillo’s YouTube channel.

East Park Could Be Renamed for Amarillo World War II Hero

The Amarillo Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend renaming East Park in honor of Pfc. Gabriel Chavez, an Amarillo native killed during World War II. Chavez died April 29, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa after charging an enemy machine-gun position with a grenade, killing five Japanese soldiers and himself in the explosion. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Chavez grew up near East Park, located on Ross Street between Southeast Seventh and Southeast Eighth streets, and is buried about two miles away at Llano Cemetery. The proposed Gabriel Chavez Park name will now go before Amarillo City Council for a future vote.

WT Ag Day Fundraiser Returns Saturday

West Texas A&M University’s annual Ag Day fundraiser returns Saturday at the Bain Event Center in WT’s Agricultural Sciences Complex. Events will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a prime rib lunch. The single-day fundraiser is hosted by the WT Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Ag Development Association and celebrates agriculture across the Texas Panhandle. Hundreds of supporters from around the region are expected to participate. Last year’s live and silent auctions raised a record $269,000, and organizers hope to top that total this year.

Square House Museum Hosting Barbecue Fundraiser

The Carson County Square House Museum will hold a barbecue fundraiser Saturday at the Carson County Ag Barn, 814 E. Third St. The fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Plates will be available by donation. All proceeds will benefit the museum and its educational programming for area students.