High Noon on the Square, a cornerstone of summer in downtown Amarillo, returns Wednesday, June 4, for its 30th season. The weekly concert and lunch series, hosted by Center City of Amarillo, is held on the shaded lawn of the historic Potter County Courthouse and continues every Wednesday through July.
Each event features free live performances from local musicians, $10 lunches from rotating local restaurants and cook teams, and free popsicles provided by the City of Amarillo as part of its Every Drop Counts water conservation campaign.
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The 2025 season opens with Amarillo favorite Ed Montana, who will preview the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo. The Coors Cowboy Club Cook Team will serve grilled hamburgers. Lunch ticket sales begin at 11:45 a.m., and the program runs from noon to 1 p.m.
In this 2024 file photo, a crowd enjoys food and music at High Noon on the Square in downtown Amarillo.
“We are thrilled to open the 30th season of High Noon on the Square. It has become a true summer tradition for downtown,” said Beth Duke, executive director of Center City. “It’s pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and just a fun way for families, workers and visitors to enjoy live music and lunch together in a beautiful setting.”
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to enjoy the free entertainment. While chairs are provided on-site, many prefer to claim shady spots early. The event is casual and family-oriented, drawing hundreds of attendees weekly.
Since its creation in 1995, High Noon on the Square has brought together thousands of Amarillo residents and visitors, building community pride through consistent partnerships with local businesses, musicians, and government entities.
“We have so many partners who make High Noon on the Square possible,” Duke said. “Potter County generously allows us to use the courthouse lawn. The musicians volunteer their time. Local caterers help us keep the price at $10. And our sponsors are incredibly loyal — some have supported this series for years.”
In this 2024 file photo, Beth Duke, executive director of Center City, addresses the crowd at High Noon on the Square in downtown Amarillo.
According to Duke, keeping the lunch price affordable is a top priority. The $10 cost has remained the same for nearly a decade, despite rising food and labor expenses.
“This is something families can count on every summer, and we want it to stay accessible,” she said.
In recent years, the program has expanded to include a wider range of performers and food vendors, from jazz ensembles and youth theater to barbecue joints and sandwich shops. It’s also become an informal platform for promoting other community events — such as the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo, which kicks off the city’s Route 66 Festival later in June.
“One of the highlights is the Polk Street Cattle Drive,” Duke said. “The Longhorns come right through downtown. It’s a unique photo op, and Center City gets to help with the photo contest that week — so we love seeing the shots people take.”
In this 2022 file photo, more than 400 people gathered around the Potter County Courthouse to enjoy the High Noon on the Square event in downtown Amarillo.
Last year, only one High Noon on the Square event was canceled due to soggy lawn conditions after heavy overnight rain. Otherwise, attendance remained strong throughout the season.
This summer’s schedule features a blend of returning favorites and fresh talent, with sponsorship support from banks, law firms, cultural institutions and local businesses.
“It’s just a joyful way to celebrate Amarillo every week,” Duke said.
In this June 2023 file photo, a family works their way through the food line for BBQ at High Noon on the Square outside the Potter County Courthouse in downtown Amarillo.
2025 High Noon on the Square schedule
June 5: Ed Montana; hamburgers from the Coors Cowboy Club Cook Team. Sponsored by Coors Cowboy Club.
June 11: Buster Bledsoe; sausage wraps by the American Quarter Horse Cook Team. Sponsored by American Quarter Horse Association.
June 18: The Huckleberries; sandwiches from Crush. Sponsored by Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC.
June 25: Performance by the cast of “TEXAS”; hamburgers from Bubba’s 33. Sponsored by Park Central Retirement Community.
A cople of ladies enjoy free popsicles on a hot day at the 2024 High Noon on the Square concert series in downtown Amarillo.
July 2: Andy Chase and Friends; chicken tenders from Raising Cane’s. Sponsored by FirstBank Southwest.
July 9: Amarillo Little Theatre Academy; sandwiches from Schlotzsky’s. Sponsored by Upshaw Insurance.
July 16: Big G and the Tradewinds; barbecue sandwiches from Mitch’s BBQ. Sponsored by Toot’n Totum.
July 23: Bomb City Bluegrass; chicken tenders from Raising Cane’s. Sponsored by The Shops at Wolflin Square.
In this file photo, Ed Montana performs at the High Noon on the Square concert series at the Potter County Courthouse in downtown Amarillo.
July 30: Insufficient Funds; hamburgers from Bubba’s 33. Sponsored by Underwood Law Firm.
For updates and weekly menus, follow Center City of Amarillo on social media or visit centercity.org. In case of inclement weather, announcements will be posted on social platforms by 9 a.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: High Noon on the Square celebrates 30th in Amarillo