The City of Amarillo is adjusting hours for John Stiff Memorial Park and related city facilities for the Amarillo Red, White, & Boom! July 4 celebration. Amarillo Red, White, & Boom!, hosted by the City of Amarillo and Outdoor Amarillo, is a free fireworks and drone show at John Stiff Memorial Park. Festivities begin July 4 at 5 p.m. The following COA facilities will have adjusted hours on Friday (July 3) and Saturday (July 4). Friday (July 3): The McDonald Lake parking lot and the area surrounding McDonald Lake, including the walking path around the lake and bike trails, will close beginning at 1 p.m. and remain closed through midnight on Saturday (July 4). John Stiff Memorial Park will close beginning at 8:30 p.m. for Ready, Set, Glow – a free, untimed glow race. No street parking will be available on 48th Ave. and Parkside Drive. One lane on 48th Ave. will be shut down from 8:30 p.m. until midnight. Saturday (July 4): The Southwest Branch Library parking lot will be closed. Please note that citizens will not have access to the dumpsters in the parking lot. Amarillo National Tennis Center will close at noon. The Warford Activity Center will be closed. The McDonald Lake parking lot and the area surrounding McDonald Lake, including the walking path around the lake and bike trails, will be closed. Street parking will not be available on 48th Ave. and Parkside Drive. 48th Ave. and Bell Street will be blocked off from noon to 10:15 p.m. For information on Red, White, & Boom! go to: amarilloparks.org/programs-events/amarillofireworks

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has named the City of Amarillo (COA) as a 2024 Triple Crown Winner. GFOA’s Triple Crown designation recognizes governments who have received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting or Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for a fiscal year. COA is one of just 441 governments that received the Triple Crown for fiscal year 2024. “The Triple Crown is no easy feat. This demonstrates the exemplary work of various city departments, city leadership and city staff,” said COA Chief Financial Officer Lola Ogunremi. “Our gratitude and congratulations to all who worked hard to make this award possible.” The Triple Crown designation represents a significant achievement. To qualify, each entity must meet the high standards of all three separate award programs. Each award program recognizes governments that produce reports which communicate their financial stories in a transparent manner and meet applicable standards To learn more about the award, email coaprogram@gfoa.org or go to: www.gfoa.org/gfoa-triple-crown-winners

The City of Amarillo (COA) Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), in collaboration with Outdoor Amarillo, announces the return of the city’s Fourth of July-themed event commemorating 250 years of America – Amarillo Red, White, & Boom!The event begins at 5 p.m. on July 4 at John Stiff Park and will continue throughout the evening, ending with the fireworks and drone show. Amarillo Red, White, & Boom! is free to the public. Free parking is available off of 45thStreet and free shuttle transportation is available from Randall High School, Amarillo High School or the Amarillo Civic Center north parking lot. Free festivities include: Please note: The COA will determine the safety of shooting fireworks prior to the event. If the environment is determined to be unsafe for fireworks, the show will be rescheduled. For event information, contact PARD at (806) 378-3036 or by email at contact@amarilloparks.org

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is conducting a free pet spay/neuter voucher clinic for residents of the North Heights Recognized Neighborhood . The clinic is June 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hines Memorial Park, located at 1300 N.W. 18th Ave. Eligible residents receive vouchers for up to four pets per household to receive free spay/neuter surgeries through participating veterinary partners. Microchips and vaccines will be provided at no cost. To qualify, residents must bring their pets to the clinic in person along with proof of residence within the North Heights Recognized Neighborhood. Pets must be at least four months old. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited in supply. “By making preventative veterinary care more accessible, we hope to create long-term positive impacts for both pets and the people who care for them,” said AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis. “The actions we take today can have lasting benefits for our community in the future, and we encourage eligible residents to take advantage of this opportunity.” Participating veterinary partners include Amarillo Veterinary Clinic, Cadillac Veterinary Clinic, Canyon Road Veterinary Clinic and Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital. Funding for the program was secured through support from Amarillo city council following the success of a pilot program in the San Jacinto neighborhood last year with 89 vouchers issued. In March, 55 vouchers were distributed to residents of the Barrio neighborhood. For information on the North Heights Recognized Neighborhood, go to: https://www.amarillo.gov/planning/neighborhood-plans/north-heights-neighborhood-plan/ For additional information, contact AAMW at (806) 378-9032 or by email at animals@amarillo.gov