ENTERTAINMENT
The Mission Twin Theatre
located in Downtown Dalhart has 2 screens showing 2 new movies
Tuesday through Sunday starting at 7:00 pm. Call the movie
line at 806-249-4241 for current movie information.
The Dalhart Bowl
(249-6316) on Highway 54 West provides bowling fun for the
entire family for a fun night out or sign up for leagues and
tournaments throughout the year.
The XIT
Museum (806-244-5390) offers a taste of the pioneer West
through historical and period exhibits, farming and ranching
displays, and extensive photographic documentation of bi-county
history. The museum partners with local schools and art teachers
to offer a visiting artist program. The newest exhibit at the
museum will feature wildlife that are native to the area, some
that are rare; the exhibit will also include hands-on learning
activities.
The XIT Rodeo and Reunion, held the first Thursday, Friday
and Saturday in August each year, is a three-day festival of
nonstop fun and good food. It hosts the world's largest free
barbecue and includes one of the Panhandles largest street
parades, nightly dances, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association rodeo, performances by famed country and western
entertainment, and more. For more information, call 806-244-5646
or click here for event
schedule
The La Rita
Performing Arts Theatre (806-244-6222) at 311 Denrock
Avenue is a beautifully restored, 1930s period theatre offering
community theater productions and other performing arts events.
Built by W.L. (Wally) Hamilton as a movie theater, management of
the La Rita was purchased by J.C. Parker. Mr. Parker had the
theater remodeled in the summer of 1942. The seating capacity
was increased, including 40 "love" seats. Air conditioning, new
sound equipment and new projection equipment were installed,
making the facility one of the most modern in the Southwest.
Tours of the facility are available if you call ahead. Tickets
for events can be purchased at the door or in advance through
the Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce office (806-244-5646).
The Dallam-Hartley County
Library boasts more than 28,000 volumes, along with access
to millions more through the Texas Panhandle Library System. The
two counties split library costs. You can reach the library at
806-244-2761.
RECREATION
The Dalhart Country Club,
(806-244-5596) on Highway 54 West, is a private country club
offering an attractive, 18-hole golf course with a pro shop open
year round, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and
concessions.
City Parks,
(806-244-5511). The City of Dalhart maintains five
beautiful parks in various locations for residents and visitors
to use and enjoy. The Swimming Pool Park at
Tennessee & 16th Street, has a newly renovated outdoor swimming
pool, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, playground
equipment, picnic tables and newly added skate park.
The Veterans Memorial Park at 7th & Rock Island, is home to
the Dallam/Hartley Counties Veterans Memorial. This park
features a walking trail, picnic areas, playground equipment and
gazebo, perfect for gatherings. The Kella Hill Park
at Kendrick and 3rd Streets, also features a gazebo, walking
trails, picnic tables and playground equipment. The
North Side Park at Dodson & Dallam Streets, has half court
basketball, walking trails, playground equipment and picnic
tables. Four tennis courts located at the Dalhart High
School on 16th Street are available for public use.
The Lake Rita Blanca Park, located on FM 281, was once the
northernmost state park in Texas, but is now owned and
maintained by the City of Dalhart. Located on Farm to Market
Road 281, Lake Rita Blanca is a prime recreational spot for
anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. The park has a 150-acre
lake surrounded by 1,668 acres of fun. The lake is an excellent
location for bird viewing throughout the year, but during the
winter months it is beyond compare. The hiking/biking/horse
trails around the area make it perfect for wildlife viewing. The
lake area is available for tent camping; the fee is $3. The City
has made many improvements including new restrooms, new
playground equipment and better hiking/biking/riding trails and
roads. The City plans to continue improving the lake area by
adding lookouts for bird watching and adding more signs to aid
park visitors.
The newest addition to the Lake Rita Blanca is the Picnic
Pavilion Park. This contemporary park features a large covered
pavilion with picnic tables and a stage area. The newly
constructed state-of-the-art play equipment includes two rock
climbing walls and a moving stepping stone entrance, perfect for
all ages. This area is closed to the public at 10 p.m. nightly.
For further information, contact the City of Dalhart at
806-244-5511.
The Rita Blanca National Grasslands (505-374-9652) are
managed by the United States Forest Service and encompass 77,463
acres in Texas, along with 15,860 adjacent acres in Oklahoma.
Each year recreation at the national grasslands continues to
grow. Visitors hike, bird watch, hunt, ride horses, use off-road
vehicles in designated areas or simply enjoy the outdoors.
Picnic facilities are available at Thompson Grove, about 14
miles northeast of Texline, Texas.
Youth and Adult Association
Leagues offer league play and tournaments for the whole
family. Adult Summer Softball, youth football, baseball and much
more is offered in Dalhart. The City of Dalhart recently
renovated the little league ballparks and added two new adult
softball fields complete with restroom facilities and a
concession stand.
MONUMENTS
The Sesquicentennial Monument was erected outside the
Dallam County Courthouse in 1986 in celebration of both the
state sesquicentennial and the 50th anniversary of the XIT Rodeo
and Reunion. The granite monument depicts the state outline
highlighted by the XIT Ranch shape.
Dalhart's Empty Saddle Monument, just north of the
Highway 87 underpass, commemorates the pioneers who died
settling the Panhandle. The empty saddle is symbolic of all the
cowhands and pioneers who built the town. The monument was
designed by local artist Bobby Dycke and built in 1940.
The James R. Fox Memorial was erected in 2003 outside the
Dallam County Courthouse. Donated to the City by the Peoples
Republic of China, the monument is in remembrance of James R.
Fox, who flew rescue missions during World War II for the Hump
Pilots Association.
The Veterans Memorial Park, formerly known as 7th Street
Park, now features The Dallam/Hartley Counties Veterans
Memorial. This was a grassroots project that began with an
idea and was funded by donations from the community. The
memorial will honor all who served our country in all branches
of the military in peacetime or wartime. The entry to the
memorial honors those who were killed or are missing in action.
In addition to the stones containing the names of our veterans,
three stones will give a brief history of the U.S. Wars and
conflicts. The memorial is lighted for nighttime viewing. This
is a perpetual care memorial, so names will continue to be added
as men and women from the area continue to serve our country.
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