Perryton's annual Wheatheart of the Nation celebration underway

Perryton's annual Wheatheart of the Nation celebration kicks into full gear this weekend, Aug. 22-24.

The festivities began earlier this month in the northeastern Texas Panhandle community of about 8,500 people, which is still recovering from a direct hit by last year's EF-3 tornado . This year's Wheatheart festival theme is "105 Ready to Thrive".

On Wednesday, a Christian Music Festival is set to take place at Whigham Park from 5-8 p.m.

Then on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., the Perryton Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce will host a block party on Main Street featuring food, vendors, giveaways, and more. Participating merchants include author Cindy Escobar, Pippas Jerky, Perryton Rotary, the Lions Club, Seaboard, Bloomin Mesquite Boutique, Interstate Bank, FirstBank Southwest, Perryton Band Boosters, Tobars Tasty Treats, Ashley Haberthur, The Cut Collective, Bronze Butterfly, Perryton Furniture/Window Fashions ETC., Hickerson's, El Tropico, Fly Over Cofee Roasters, Game On Graphics, The Flower Pot and many more. Perryton Ochiltree Crime Stoppers will host its third annual donut eating contest on the courthouse lawn at 6:30 p.m., for ages 18 and up, with a $10 entry fee. To see more block party details, visit the Chamber's Facebook page or contact the Chamber at 806-435-6575.

Perryton National Bank on Friday will host a dance from 8 to 11 p.m., with live music by the Velvet Funk Band and food catered by Daddy's Dogs and More.

Saturday's events include the annual parade, BBQ, golf tournament, demolition derby and more. The morning starts with a United Breakfast, followed by a car show in the PNB parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The downtown parade is up next between 9 and 11 a.m., then the Wheatheart BBQ at the Ochiltree County Expo Center at 11:30 a.m. and Pioneer Days at the Museum of the Plains from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gates open for the Demolition Derby at 4 p.m. at the Ochiltree County Rodeo Grounds. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids younger than 5. Pit passes are available for $50.

For more information on these events, visit https://www.facebook.com/Wheatheart.of.the.Nation.Celebration .

More: ‘Bent but not broken’: Perryton parade lifts spirits amid tornado recovery

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Perryton's annual Wheatheart of the Nation celebration underway