Amarillo to host community-focused State of the City event Sunday

Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley provided an update on the upcoming State of the City event, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday 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 present our report card to the community," Stanley said. "We want to show what we've done with the trust and resources given to us over the past year and lay out our vision for the future."

Stanley stated that the city will have a chance to be formally introduced to Grayson Path, the city manager who recently began work 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 artists Lindsay Lane, Andy Chase, and the Rotor City Rhythm Cats will perform after the originally scheduled headliner, Aaron Watson, had to cancel due to emergency surgery.

"We're disappointed Aaron can't join us, but we're focusing 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 taxpayer money. He expressed gratitude to the sponsors, particularly one who chose to remain anonymous, for their contributions.

The evening will include presentations from key city departments, interactive videos, and acknowledgments of community volunteers and local heroes, particularly those in public services 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 children to explore, and plenty of seating.

"We've 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 built Santa Fe Depot Pavilion.

"I think it's a great opportunity to highlight and showcase something that was only built a couple of years ago," he said. "We'd like to push it out there. It’s 60,000 square feet with a tall ceiling, and when people see it, maybe it'll become something a little bit more."

Stanley emphasized that the city chose a more casual approach to the State of the City to reach the citizenry and celebrate the city's successes.

"This council is different, and we have chosen to do a lot of 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 about in servant leadership. It really needs to be more about the outcomes and what you're doing for others, less about 'look here, this is why we've done a good job.'"

Stanley also acknowledged the ongoing heatwave but remained optimistic. "We've scheduled this in the evening to avoid the peak heat, and we're hoping for cooler weather on Sunday."

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

"This event is for the community," Stanley said. "We're here to celebrate our achievements and look forward to the future together."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Mayor Cole Stanley speaks about State of City ahead of event