🐝 6 Things Every Wacoan Should Know This Week

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz where the goal is a smile, or at least a smirk, or at least one of those nose-air laughs you do when something’s funny but not that funny. 😉

In today’s edition:

• Last Levitt AMP Concert of the Season 🎸

• More Summer Passes 🏖️

• Concerts, Trivia, and Events this week 🎶

• 94 Days until Baylor Football Kickoff 🏈

• Happy Birthday to Waco Buzz community member Stephen Hill! 🥳

Well friends, we’re about to hit 5,500 members in our little-big Waco Buzz community, and it only feels appropriate that we start hanging out… you know, in the real world.

More than ever, we’re often more aware of what’s happening on the other side of the globe than we are with our neighbors. Let’s change that.

I’m starting to talk to some great spots around Waco to host a summer happy hour and maybe something even bigger down the line.

Let me know if you’d have any interest 🗳️

— Sam Harper

Together with Kilwin’s Ice Cream

Kilwins just opened its doors downtown, and the fudge smells alone are worth the visit. Their official grand opening is still to come, but you can already stop by to sample Michigan’s finest sweets like their signature Mackinac Island Fudge, hand-dipped caramel apples, and original recipe ice cream.

Kid-favorite Superman (a colorful, fruity swirl straight out of Michigan) is flying off the scoop, but grown-ups are loving flavors like Sea-Salt Chocolate Caramel, Toasted Coconut, and Cookies & Cream. It’s all handcrafted, super creamy, and ready to become your new downtown Waco treat stop. Visit today at 323 S. 6th St and follow along for updates!

Buzzworthy News

Last Levitt AMP Concert of the Season
The last Levitt AMP concert of the season is this Wednesday night, and Bridge Street Plaza is going out in style. Expect live music, food trucks, a farmers market, and that unbeatable downtown energy that turns an ordinary weeknight into something worth remembering. Blue Cactus and Sammy Brown are wrapping up the series with a mix of country soul and indie-folk—perfect for a blanket, a snack, and a night under the stars.

On Saturday, Creative Waco is hosting an ARTPrenticeship Community Paint Day at 7th Street Plaza, and they’re inviting you to help bring a new mural to life. Sign up for a 30-minute session between 9 AM and noon to add your own brushstroke alongside local artists and students. It’s free, it’s family-friendly, and no experience is needed. There’ll also be face painting, sidewalk chalk, classic games, and some good snacks to keep things fun while you wait.

Both events are powered by Creative Waco and are perfect examples of what happens when art, music, and neighbors come together in the heart of the city.

Quick Reminder: Splash Pads Are OPEN
Summer’s here, and so are Waco’s free splash pads—open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM through September. They’re the perfect way to keep the kids cool, burn some energy, and enjoy the outdoors without spending a dime.

You’ll find them at Chapel Park, Dewey Park, Kendrick Park, Mountainview Park, Oscar DuConge Park, and Pecan Bottoms in Cameron Park. Just bring a towel and let the splashing begin. Find the nearest splash pad to you here.

🧳 Local Business

Don Carlos has closed its longtime spot at Central Texas Marketplace, but in its place: Umiya AYCE Sushi and Hot Pot is moving in. Across town, China Star is making a comeback at the old Fuddruckers location on Valley Mills. Meanwhile, Masa Sushi, first announced back in January 2024 taking over the former Rosati’s location, is showing signs of life, with a new team in place and fresh posts on Facebook. More sushi, more hot pot, and more variety, Waco’s food scene just keeps growing.

More Summer Passes Parents Should Know About
Last week, I shared a few summer deals across Waco. Here are two more worth adding to your list:

Waco Surf Season Pass – Now on sale on Groupon, this gets you water park and beach access all summer long. Surf sessions on the best manmade wave in Texas cost extra, but between Sunday concerts and pro surfers dropping in weekly, it’s a great place to spend your summer. Check it out here.

TopGolf Waco Summer Fun Pass – Unlimited play, all summer long. If your kids love swinging clubs (or you just want A/C and snacks), this is a solid way to keep the fun going. Details here. Fine print on this one is that one pass allows you to bring up to five friends on each visit!

If you missed the other season passes from last week, you can see them here.

Know a parent who needs to see this? Forward it their way.

Civil News ⚖️

The original Woodway Family Center may be demolished after a 3–2 parks board vote, but the land’s original donors say not so fast. A clause in the deed says the land must stay dedicated to youth recreation—or it reverts back to the family. The final decision heads to City Council this summer (More Info in the Trib ($)).

Meanwhile in Waco, the City Plan Commission meets Tuesday to discuss a new CarMax dealership going in just south of Hillcrest hospital, Harris Creek Baptist Church expanding for office and commercial development, the 7th Street Plaza permanently closing for pedestrian access, and renaming part of South 29th Street to “Ernesto Fraga Street.” For full details see here.

Midweek Live Music and Events

Need a midweek boost? Here’s your lineup—solo, with a date, or with the whole family.

Tuesday

• Beer Garden Yoga 6:30 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Trivia Night 7:00 PM | Sam's Bar

• Smarty Pints Trivia 7:00 PM | Southern Roots Brewing Co.

• Jazz & Blues Night 7:00 PM | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill

• Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday 7:30 PM | Freight Bar

• Open Mic Night 8:00 PM | Thrst Coffee

Wednesday

• The Meetup 9:00 AM | Startup Waco

• TOP Senior Expo 10:00 AM | Waco Convention Center | Tickets here

• Levitt AMP Waco Music Series: Blue Cactus with Sami Brown 5:00 PM | Bridge Street Plaza

• ABBA: A Choir Tribute 7:00 PM | The Performing Arts Community Center | Tickets here | $5

• Mics With Benefits 7:00 PM | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill

• Daikaiju with Dobgite 8:00 PM | Truelove Bar

Thursday

• Live Music Night 5:00 PM | Anthem Stories

• Bow Wow Bingo 5:00 PM | Lee Lockwood Library & Museum

• Music Bingo 6:00 PM | Waco Ale Co.

• Cruz N Chill 6:00 PM | So-Cal Speed Shop

• Bingo Night 6:00 PM | The Will

• Johnnie Bradshaw & The Out of the Blue Band 7:00 PM | Waco Lions Den

• Songwriter Showcase 7:00 PM | Texas Music Cafe

• Darrel “D Rail” Ray 7:30 PM | Lounge ’93

• My Fair Lady 7:30 PM | Waco Civic Theatre | Buy Tickets

• Name That Tune Bingo 7:30 PM | Freight Bar

• Open Mic Night 8:00 PM | Common Grounds

Spotlight Event:

The Baylor Club is hosting a Young Executive Mixer on Friday evening, and if you’re a Waco professional under 40, this is where you’ll want to be. Free drinks, live music, and a chance to see what it’s like to work the room inside McLane Stadium. Info here.

Shoutout

A Market Worth Making a Saturday Out Of
Every Saturday from 10 to 2, Homestead Weekly Market transforms into one of Waco’s most delightful weekend spots. Located just north of town at 747 Dry Creek Road, it’s part farmers market, part hands-on adventure. Think fresh tacos made with grass-fed lamb, handmade beeswax candles, and boba tea brewed from global blends. Add in a Texas-sized maze, a giant hay slide, and crafts you can actually make yourself—and you’ve got a Saturday well spent. Sign up for email updates and get a free ice cream when you visit: homesteadweeklymarket.com
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Sports🐻

Waco native Kenrich Williams is in the NBA Western Conference Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Game 1, the University High grad (class of 2013) helped swing the momentum for a Thunder win against Minnesota. Kenrich got his start with Waco Parks & Rec, starred at TCU (they retired his jersey), and now gives back every summer with free basketball camps for local kids. While this year’s camp isn’t announced yet, it would be his fourth in a row—usually held in late July.

Baylor Football Countdown: 94 Days
Baylor kicks off the season at home on August 29 against Auburn which is just 94 days away. Single game tickets go on sale in late July, and season tickets are still available.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, please share it with your friend who’s probably Googling ‘things to do in Waco with kids’ right now.