Look back at Amarillo’s founding through the ghosts of some of its prominent pioneers at the annual Llano Cemetery History Tour, set for 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Now, to be clear, the tour is not a Halloween event, though it’s always scheduled for October. Don’t expect any haunts or scares.
What the tour does offer, as I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a couple of times, is an invaluable look back at the hardships faced by the predominantly white families who settled here shortly before the beginning of the 20th century. (You, as educated readers, know that plenty of other people had lived on the Plains long before these folk arrived.)
The cemetery dates back to 1888, when a family heading west lost their 24-year-old daughter, Lillian Morrow, who was buried in an area that, at the time, was southeast of Amarillo. That land was purchased by Potter County three years later, and Amarillo Cemetery was established. Thirty years later, Llano Cemetery officially came into being. (For more about the cemetery’s founding, check out its highly informative “Our Story” page.)
Expect to visit some of the cemetery’s most storied inhabitants, both inside its gorgeous mausoleum and around the grounds. David Merrill, executive director, says two tour paths will focus on pioneers, including Morrow, and legends, like Dr. J.O. Wyatt and Matthew “Bones” Hooks.
Tours take about 25 minutes. Enter from the 27th Avenue side.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for food provided by Caprock High School FFA.
For information, call 806-376-4530.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Jazztober featuring The Martinis: 7 p.m. Tuesday; 1000 S. Polk St.; free; 806-372-6744
Fight from Within with Resistor, Smile on the Sinner and Thin the Herd: 7 p.m. Thursday; Atomic Yellow, 3701 Plains Blvd.; tickets $20, plus fees; atomicyellowict@gmail.com
“Hope Is the Thing With Feathers”: An Evening of Verse and Sculpture: 6 p.m. Thursday; Cornette Library at West Texas A&M University; 806-651-2785
WT Choirs: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; free; 806-651-2840
“Misery”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Amarillo Little Theatre Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; ticket prices vary; 806-355-9991
Musicians Showcase: 6:30 p.m. Friday; Stoex Design Gallery, 723 S. Georgia St.
Sixth Street Massacre: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 3015 S.W. Sixth Ave.; $30; 806-337-0749
Amarillo Scaregrounds: 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2736 S.W. 10th Ave. $40 and up; 806-367-9516
The Haunt at Sundown: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1201 S. Sundown Lane; $20; adeal777@suddenlink.net
Lone Star Ballet’s “A Haunting Whirl through the Brothers Grimm”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday; Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $21 to $52; 806-378-3096
The Droptines: 10 p.m. Friday; Golden Light Cantina, 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Next to Kin: 10 p.m. Friday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Gee’s Family Farms: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 7651 S. Whitaker Road; admission $7; 806-346-5899
Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday; 12908 S. Bell St.; admission prices vary; 806-373-9600
81st Annual Boys Ranch Rodeo and Fall Fest: 11 a.m. Saturday; Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch; tickets $15; 800-687-3722
Rocktober Fest: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday; Rockwell Event Center, 16307 Interstate 27; tickets $25, plus fees; 806-683-2156
Moon Market: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday; Fourth Avenue and 15th Street in Canyon; 806-567-0746
Jazztober featuring Big G & The Tradewinds: 7 p.m. Oct. 21; 1000 S. Polk St.; free; 806-372-6744
Movie options:
New releases: Topical drama After the Hunt, horror sequel Black Phone 2 and metaphysical comedy Good Fortune (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Horror sequel Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (Wednesday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); drama The Family McMullen (Wednesday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); fantasy role-play Critical Role: Jester and Fjord’s Wedding: Live from Radio City Music Hall (Wednesday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); family film Grow (Friday to Oct. 23, Cinemark Hollywood 16); dystopian romp The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Thursday, Cinergy); horror sequel Halloween II (Friday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); animated favorite Corpse Bride (Sunday and Oct. 21); and anime classic Spirited Away (Saturday to Oct. 23, Cinemark Hollywood 16)
