Talk about the war over Christmas: Two holiday icons will do battle Thursday in what’s billed as Amarillo’s largest snowball fight.
Teams representing the Grinch and Santa Claus (or, rather, his Amarillo representative, Santa Chrys—who recently appeared in Brick & Elm)) will hurl plushy, reusable snowballs at one another along Candy Cane Lane—Gainsborough Road, as it’s known in the off-season.
“Kids of all ages come out on Thanksgiving night and are in place when the street is closed off. At exactly 8 p.m. the snowballs start flying between the two teams,” Santa Chrys told me in an email. “The entire time, Mr Grinch and I keep working our way towards each other and when we meet, we hold up our hands and finish up with a well-deserved and friendly hug to finish it off.”
Santa’s rival shares more details. “We probably had about 50 or so people out the first year, and now the crowds are in the hundreds that we can see,” the Grinch said. “It’s a small neighborhood block so we can’t fit too many. People will start parking around the neighborhood streets … and walk Candy Cane Lane until it’s time for the snowball fight to begin at 8.”
The friendly rivals take photos with families beginning around 6 p.m., as do other costumed characters.
“We love doing it because we enjoy giving families a free, exciting experience that is open to everyone,” Santa Chrys said.
The Grinch, however, has an axe to grind, though surely it’s a plushy one, too. “Santa won’t admit it, but he starts it every year,” the Grinch said. “He has the unfair advantage of having elves and gingerbread people helping his side. Team Grinch has the bad rap, but I gave those Who folks their Christmas back! I still have to prove myself year after year.”
The event marks the official opening of Candy Cane Lane for the holiday season. The neighborhood remains lit nightly through New Year’s Day.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Tom Buechi: 7 p.m. Wednesday; Pondaseta Brewing Co., 7500 S.W. 45th Ave.; 806-418-6282
“Gilmore Girls” Trivia Night: 7 p.m. Friday; Tabletop Tavern Game Café, 410 15th St. in Canyon; tabletoptavern24@gmail.com
Black Mass Open Talent Night: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Idol Art Studio, 2918 SW Sixth Ave.; 806-236-4128
The Obvious Few: 9 p.m. Friday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Lights, Camera, Christmas Tree Lighting: 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St.; 806-378-3036
Insufficient Funds: 9 p.m. Saturday; The Blind Pig, 609 S. Independence St.; 806-412-4251
Mike Chism & Hollow Point: 9 p.m. Saturday; Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; cover
Will Banister: 9 p.m. Saturday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
The Chancy Bernson Band: 9 p.m. Saturday; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover
Graveyard People: 10 p.m. Saturday; The 806 Coffee + Lounge, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-322-1806
Boss Texas: 9 p.m. Sunday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Movie options:
New releases: Afterlife comedy Eternity and animated sequel Zootopia 2 (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Another Sweet Christmas (Sunday through Dec. 2, Cinemark Hollywood 16)
