Mayor Cole Stanley talks about the state of the city ahead of the event

Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley provided an update on the upcoming State of the City event scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Historic Santa Fe Pavilion, located behind the Amarillo Civic Center. The Aug. 25 event will be a community-focused gathering designed to showcase the city’s progress, highlight the work of city staff and share future plans.

“This is an opportunity to introduce our newsletter to the community,” Stanley said. “We want to show what we’ve done with the trust and resources we’ve been given over the past year and lay out our vision for the future.”

Stanley said the city will have a chance to be formally introduced to Grayson Path, the city manager who recently started working in his position.

According to Stanley, the event, which will have a casual, county fair-themed atmosphere, will feature 10 food trucks, free water and tea provided by local sponsor Water Still and live entertainment. Local acts Lindsay Lane, Andy Chase and Rotor City Rhythm Cats will perform after originally scheduled headliner Aaron Watson had to cancel due to emergency surgery.

“We’re disappointed Aaron can’t join us, but our focus is on the community and the great local talent we have,” Stanley said.

The mayor emphasized that the event is fully funded by sponsors and does not use taxpayers’ money. He expressed his gratitude to sponsors, especially those who chose to remain anonymous, for their contributions.

The evening will include presentations from key city departments, interactive videos and thanks from community volunteers and local heroes, especially those in public service such as the Amarillo Fire and Police Departments.

“We wanted to create an event that wasn’t just about us,” Stanley said. “It’s about the people of Amarillo, the volunteers and the everyday heroes who make this city what it is.”

Attendees can expect a family-friendly atmosphere, with games provided by the Parks and Recreation Department, fire trucks for kids to explore, and lots of places.

“We have prepared 1,000 chairs, but people are welcome to bring their own for comfort,” Stanley said.

He added that the event is also a great opportunity to showcase the newly constructed Santa Fe Depot Pavilion.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to highlight and showcase something that was built just a few years ago,” he said. “We’d love to push it in there. It’s 60,000 square feet with a high ceiling, and when people see it, maybe it’ll become a little bit more.”

Stanley pointed out that the city chose a more casual approach to the state of the city to reach citizens and celebrate the city’s successes.

“This council is different and we have chosen to do many things differently,” he said. “The problem with a state of the city address is that it can look very political and become a campaign event. It can also become a ‘look at me’ show about what the council has done. That’s not what we’re in the service about. Leadership needs to be more about results and what you do for others, less about “look here, this is why I did a good job”.

Stanley also acknowledged the ongoing heat wave, but remained optimistic. “We have scheduled this in the evening to avoid the peak heat and hopefully cooler weather on Sunday.”

The event will conclude with a concert, and Stanley hinted at a community sing-along of “Amarillo by Morning” to end the evening on a high note.

“This event is for the community,” Stanley said. “We are here to celebrate our achievements and look forward to the future together.”

Weidheiden

Mayor Cole Stanley talks about the state of the city ahead of the event

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