SHAMROCK, Texas — “It’s a time for green in Shamrock, Texas!”

So said Shamrock Mayor Buc Weatherbe. “It’s an economic boost for us. This whole Wheeler County gets involved in this. It’s the pride weekend in Shamrock, Texas!” he said on KFDA NewsChannel 10.

There you have it! My wife and I ventured east along Interstate 40 today to take in a bit of the St. Patrick’s Day cheer that has enveloped this community of fewer than 2,000 residents every year since the 1930s.

We were impressed mightily by what we saw throughout the town that sits just west of the Texas-Oklahoma border.

It helps certainly that the town carries the name “Shamrock,” which gives it license to celebrate a holiday that commemorates a character of Irish lore.

We returned to Amarillo after walking through Shamrock, seeing all the green-haired kids, green-festooned folks of all ages. They sold their share of funnel cakes, corn dogs, turkey legs, Philly sandwiches and assorted other “food” often associated with fairs and rodeos.

In a larger sense, though, it filled our hearts with good cheer to see a rural Texas community embrace a holiday and roll out the good cheer for all to enjoy.

Shamrock has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for more than 80 years. I sense that it will continue for another 80 years — and well beyond.

Is there a lesson here for other communities? I think so.

I wonder if that lesson has gotten lost on Amarillo, a much larger community that fancies itself as the unofficial “capital” of the Texas Panhandle.

It is true that Amarillo plays host to the Tri-State Fair; it has its share of barbecue feeds downtown; the city has rodeos, one of which honors actual “working ranch” cowhands. It used to stage a Funfest event and the Discover festivities.

We don’t have what I can identify as a singular community event that celebrates and honors the city’s heritage.

Maybe one day. Until then, we all can drive east to Shamrock and enjoy a sea of green along the city’s main thoroughfare.