The final week of Perryton’s Wheatheart of the Nation Celebration brings together food, music, tradition and community pride as the city marks its 106th birthday in 2025.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, the Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce and Retail Trade Council hosted the annual Block Party on Main Street, featuring shopping, food and vendor booths.
On Friday, Aug. 22, Perryton National Bank will present a street dance with live music by the Velvet Funk Band from 8 to 11 p.m. in the bank’s parking lot. Chili dogs from Daddy’s Dogs will be served.
Saturday, Aug. 23 begins with a community breakfast at United Supermarkets from 6 to 9 a.m., followed by the Wheatheart Parade at 10 a.m. Floats, marching bands and youth groups will bring color and energy to Main Street, a tradition that has anchored the celebration for decades. The Expo Center will host a barbecue lunch, while the Museum of the Plains welcomes families to its annual Fun Day with bounce houses, games and homemade ice cream. The weekend concludes at 6 p.m. with the demolition derby, where roaring engines and cheering crowds close out the festivities.
Heather Duncum, Wheatheart Celebration chairperson, said the event has become a symbol of resilience for Perryton, especially since the 2023 tornado.
“We went ahead and held it the year of the tornado, even though Main Street was a mess,” Duncum said. “We wanted the kids to have the parade and for everything to feel as normal as possible. We weren’t going to give it up. This is something Perryton has done for decades, and it brings us together no matter what.”
She said the festival highlights the spirit of unity that defines Perryton.
“We put aside our differences and come together with volunteers and pride to make this happen,” she said. “It’s not just about the events — it’s about showing who we are as a community.”
Duncum said she is especially proud of the museum’s role in the celebration.
“It’s pretty spectacular. Fun Day gives us a chance to showcase the museum with games, bounce houses and homemade ice cream,” she said. “It’s always a favorite for families.”
The Wheatheart festivities, she added, extend well beyond city limits.
“We invite all the surrounding communities to come out,” Duncum said. “It’s always a good time. We accommodate people from the three counties around us, and we’d love for folks from all across the Panhandle to join in. The more people who come, the more special it feels.”
This year’s theme is “The Greatest Town in Texas,” carried out with a circus-inspired motif that Duncum said adds extra fun to the 2025 finale.
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