🐝 What Waco’s talking about this week (and why you’ll care)

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s like bumping into an old friend at HEB who knows everything fun happening in town this week.

In today’s edition:

• Local Business Openings 🧳

• Concerts, Trivia, and Events this week 🎶

• City Updates⚖️

• A hometown NBA champ 🏀

Let’s get to it!

— Sam Harper

Together with Waco Civic Theatre

Let my people go... to the theatre!
The Prince of Egypt is coming to Waco Civic Theatre July 18–27, a powerful musical based on the epic journey of Moses. Expect unforgettable music, stunning stagecraft, and a story that moves generations.

🎟️ Waco Buzz Readers Get 10% Off
Use promo code BUZZ at checkout for discounted tickets, just our way of making date night, family night, or theatre night a little sweeter.

👉 Get your tickets here

🧳 Local Business

Slumber Rollz — Opening Soon! ☕
A pink building and the sweet smell of cinnamon? Yes, please. Slumber Rollz is taking over the old Wienerschnitzel-turned-insurance office at Franklin & New Road, transforming it into a cinnamon roll mecca. They’re promising Texas-sized gourmet cinnamon rolls and customizable coffee drinks. No opening date has been announced yet, but on their website you can sign up for 10% off and updates. For everyone who was hoping for round two of Wienerschnitzel, don’t worry, it’s opening just down the road at Franklin and Valley Mills in the Fall.

SafeSplash Swim School coming soon 🏊
SafeSplash Swim School is opening this fall next to Hat Creek Burger Co. in Woodway. The national swim school chain focuses on water safety and swim instruction for all ages — from toddlers to adults. If you’ve got little ones (or big ones) who need some pool skills, this is one to watch. Details here

🧳 WACO HISTORY

⚖️CIVIC NEWS

Summer Water Cycle kicks off July 1 💦
Waco’s summer watering schedule kicks in next week with a solid three-day limit — both homes and businesses are on a calendar. Odd‑numbered addresses water Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, while even‑numbered ones get Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. And just so no one jumps hoses all weekend: no outdoor watering on Fridays or between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

City trims budget, adds revenue stream 💰
Faced with slowing growth, Waco is making tough budget moves, eliminating 72 city positions to help balance the books. At the same time, they’re launching a creative new revenue stream: converting landfill gas into energy and selling it to Atmos. The move could generate long-term profits for the city while reducing waste emissions, a rare budget bright spot.

$250 million I-35 project rolls forward 🚧🚧
I-35 construction in Waco? It first kicked off in 1962… and somehow, it’s still going strong. The latest phase, part of a $250 million effort to widen a 6-mile stretch through town, will bring big traffic changes starting this week. Lanes will be reduced to two in each direction between 12th Street and S. Loop 340 (starting southbound), with various nighttime closures and major exit shifts — and this new setup is expected to last about two years.

Closures include:

• Loop 340 direct connect to northbound I-35 (reroute via I-35 South at Bagby)

• Northbound exits for New Rd & Valley Mills/La Salle (reroute via Exit 330A)

• Northbound exit for 17th/18th Streets (reroute via Exit 333B)

Bottom line: follow the signs, watch for crews and give yourself some extra drive time.

🎶Midweek Live Music and Events

Tuesday

• Beer Garden Yoga 6:30 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Summer Concert Series: Chris Colunga 7:00 PM | Carleen Bright Arboretum

• 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

• EnhanceFitness 10:00 AM | South Waco Community Center

• Ten Healthy Tips Class 11:00 PM | Woodway Family Center

• Wild Wednesdays Hikes 5:45 PM | Cameron Park

• Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong 6:00 PM | Segovia Wine Bar

• Trivia Night 6:00 PM | Hemingway’s Watering Hole

• WPN Movie Night: Nimona & But I’m a Cheerleader 6:00 PM | The Performing Arts Community Center

• Hazel Gaynor: Before Dorothy 7:00 PM | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | Tickets here

• Music Bingo 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

Thursday

• Seussical JR. Summer Theatre Camp 9:00 AM | The Performing Arts Community Center | Register here

• STORIES Cafe Music Night 5:00 PM | Anthem STORIES | Tickets here

• KRIS with a K Music Bingo 6:00 PM | Waco Ale Co.

• Johnny Joe Ramos 6:00 PM | Union Hall

• Music Bingo 6:30 PM | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill

• Trivia Night 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Country Blues Songwriter Series 7:30 PM | Texas Music Cafe

Sports🐻

Waco adds another champ to the roster 🥇
Waco’s sports trophy case is getting crowded. In recent weeks, both Robinson and Midway teams brought home state championships — and now, NBA hardware joins the mix. University High School grad Kenrich Williams just helped the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA Finals, and we’re keeping an ear out for dates on his popular summer basketball camp.

Baylor Track Star Wins Gold 🥇
Baylor senior Nathaniel Ezekiel claimed the NCAA title in the 400m hurdles with a blazing 47.49 — setting Baylor and Nigerian national records and the No. 2 time in the world this season. He’s Baylor’s first champ in the event since 2001. Keep an eye on him — you just might see him on the podium again at the LA 2028 Olympics.

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, fun, or worth sharing, send it to your friend who never misses Sonic Happy Hour in the summer.