Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, High Noon on the Square, like many outdoor gatherings, had to be canceled for its 26th season in 2020.
But in 2021, Beth Duke and the Center City of Amarillo team are looking forward to the upcoming HIgh Noon season, serving as a sort of “downtown reunion.”
“After having to cancel last year, (this season) is really exciting because it’s our way to welcome everyone back downtown,” she said. “The pandemic was rough on downtown with our restaurants and the different businesses that started working from home. To me, this is kind of a downtown reunion.”
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The 2021 season of High Noon on the Square, what Center City officials are calling its actual 26th season, begins at 12 p.m. Wednesday on the lawn of the Potter County Courthouse, located in downtown Amarillo.
This first event features entertainment from Ed Montana and a meal from the Coors Cowboy Club. According to a news release, the entertainment is free while the meal is $8 for attendees.
The season continues every Wednesday through the months of June and July, with the schedule as follows:
– June 9: Entertainment by the Texas Outdoor Musical and food from Mitch’s BBQ
– June 16: Entertainment by Buster Bledsoe and food from Bubba’s 33
– June 23: Entertainment by Andy Chase & Friends and food from Schlotzsky’s
– June 30: Entertainment by ALT Academy: Newsies and food from Crush
– July 7: Entertainment by Esquire Jazz Band and food from Bubba’s 33
– July 14: Entertainment by Lindsey Lane and food from Chick-Fil-A
– July 21: Entertainment by the Amarillo Symphony and food from Schlotzsky’s
– July 28: Entertainment by Insufficient Funds and food from Joe Taco
As previously reported, Duke, as a representative from Center City, received permission from the Potter County Commissioners’ Court to host this event on the county’s courthouse lawn during a commissioners’ court meeting in late March. That support from the county means a lot to Duke, she said.
“The Potter County Courthouse lawn is the most historic and the most beautiful green space in our downtown,” she said. “To be able to invite the citizens back downtown, to enjoy that beautiful green space with the historic backdrop of the courthouse, to me it just says we are back.”
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Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duke said that Center City is encouraging attendees to bring chairs and blankets for the event, as well as caterers providing grab and go options so individuals do not have to congregate in a line.
The “grab and go” option for food brings the opportunity for a whole other portion of the downtown community to participate in High Noon on the Square, Duke said.
“A lot of people only take a 30-minute lunch break or something like that. We are hoping that a lot of people will bring a box from work, take orders, and go back to work if they can’t enjoy the music,” Duke said. “But if they can stay and enjoy the music, the atmosphere, we just think it’s going to be a great community reunion.”
For those who do stay for the entertainment, Duke said that individuals should expect a great mix of area talent, giving individuals the opportunity to come and relax for an hour.
“We have something for everyone. You can come and hear an excerpt from the musical drama ‘Texas,’ the (Amarillo) Little Theatre’s academy is coming in with ‘Newsies,’ which is so much fun. They have not been able to be there before. We have some of the most favorite singers: Ed Montana, Buster Bledsoe, Andy Chase and then Insufficient Funds — they always bring out the crowd. They are our grand finale,” she said. “Our musicians donate their time, and they are just so excited to have performances again. Their jobs dried up, and now, they can come around and be around an audience. I just think the community is ready for it.”
Duke hopes the return of this High Noon on the Square series serves as a way for the community to get back to normal, as COVID-19 cases continue to wane in the area.
“We are hopeful that our crowds really come back. We think people have a pent up demand to come out, be in the outdoors and enjoy some live entertainment,” she said. “As more and more people are vaccinated, and (are) feeling more free to move about in the community, I think you are going to see a good crowd.”
For more information about the 2021 High Noon on the Square series, visit www.centercity.org.
