🐝What’s Up in Waco This Week?

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, your go-to guide for all the fun stuff that makes stepping out in this heat totally worth it.

In today’s edition:

• New Lego Store Opens 🧱

• Where Are We?! 📸

• Concerts, Trivia, and Events this week 🎶

• Baylor Football Walk On Tryouts 🏈

Before we dive in, thank you to the nearly 6,000 of you who read every edition, take the time to leave comments in the survey, reply with questions about new openings and developments, and share ideas on how to make Waco an even better community. Knowing the Waco Buzz helps you get connected and love where we call home truly means the world to me.

Pinewood Park Poll: The community overwhelmingly voted for a nature-inspired playscape with lots of trees and shade for the new park next to Pinewood Coffee. It’s clear folks are excited about a green, relaxing space. I’ll be sharing this feedback with the city to help guide their plans.

Let’s dive in!

— Sam Harper

Together with Copper Mountain

Escape to Copper Mountain, Colorado—where the only thing sizzling is the view. Ride scenic lifts, hike through mountain meadows, and let the kids burn energy at 10,000 feet (without burning up). It’s cool, family-friendly, and doing real work to protect the outdoors for future generations.
Trade sweat for snow-capped peaks. Plan your Copper getaway now: coppercolorado.com*
^{_{*indicates sponsored advertising content.}}

Want to advertise? Let’s chat.

🧳 Local Business News

🧱 New Lego Store
If you’ve wandered near Dillard’s lately, you might’ve spotted Brick Store Waco — the new Lego paradise in Richland Mall. With over 1,000 mini figures, retired collections, and every Lego theme you can imagine, this place is a dream for builders and collectors alike. Fun fact: 220 million Lego sets are sold worldwide every year. Yeah, that’s a whole lot of bricks.

🌭 Here Comes Dog Haus!
Downtown’s taco scene is getting a shake-up: Dog Haus is moving into the former Fuzzy’s spot, aiming for a Labor Day grand opening. This Pasadena, CA-based chain is opening its 8th Texas location right here in Waco, bringing its creative, crave-worthy hot dogs to town. Follow along for tasty updates: @doghaus_waco.

🎪 Magnolia Tent Sale: July 2–5
Magnolia’s having a tent sale on the Magnolia Press patio at the Silos, and it’s made for locals. Up to 70% off everything from home goods to seasonal decor. No online deals. No promo codes. Just in-person Magnolia treasure hunting.
Pro tip: Go early in the day for the best picks (and cooler temps).
📍 Open 9–6 daily and yes, even on the 4th of July.

I’m sharing more of the stories behind our favorite spots and faces on Instagram like Sagrado Cocina downtown, just around the corner from where Dog Haus is gearing up to open. Check it out: Lunch at Sagrado Cocina.

📸WHERE ARE WE?!

Watch this space for a random picture from somewhere in Waco. Where are we? Only a true Wacoan will know. Take your best guess below.

⚖️CIVIC NEWS

Here’s what City Council covered last week and what’s actually worth knowing:

🏠 Housing was the main event.
The City approved the 63-lot Hilltop Heights neighborhood off Loop 340, designed with sidewalks on both sides, 25-foot garage setbacks, and a built-in park connection. Neighbors raised speeding concerns, but the city reminded us: Waco is short 5,000 units. Growth is coming and it's about shaping how.

Then came the big one on the river. Just two miles from downtown, this 521-acre project will eventually bring 1,887 homes, a marina, shops, parks, and trails along the Brazos. Phase 1 received approval and starts with 327 homes.

🧭 Why it matters:
Waco’s growth isn’t slowing. These projects show a push for walkability, access to green space, and neighborhood design that fits both today’s needs and tomorrow’s.

🚒 Waco has a new Fire Chief.
Robbie Bergerson was officially confirmed and got a big round of applause. Council also backed a federal grant request to add 15 firefighters for a new heavy-rescue unit.

💦 Summer watering rules start July 1.
Odd-numbered addresses: water Sun, Tues, Thurs
Even-numbered: Mon, Wed, Sat
No watering on Fridays or between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

🎶Midweek Live Music and Events

Tuesday

• KWBU & Texas Standard Live Broadcast 10:00 AM | Mayborn Museum Complex

• Create Better Health Class 5:00 PM | Waco-McLennan Public Health

• Dog Body Language Class 6:00 PM | Startup Waco | Register here

• Beer Garden Yoga 6:30 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

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

• Book Launch Party: Emily Harding: How Freaking Romantic 7:00 PM | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | Register here

• 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

• Story Time 10:00 AM | Carleen Bright Arboretum

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

• Free Dance Lessons 4:00 PM | The Will

• Wine Tasting Wednesday 5:30 PM | Marie’s Wine Bar

• Wild Wednesdays Hikes 5:45 PM | Cameron Park

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

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

• Music Bingo 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

Thursday

• Big 95 KBGO Party on the Patio 5:00 PM | Fish City Grill

• Likely Stories Book Club: The Ministry of Time 6:00 PM | La Madeline

• Bingo Night 6:00 PM | The Will & Backyard Bar & Waco Ale Co

• Rocket League 6:30 PM | HobbyTown

• Trivia Night 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing

• Thursday Mystery Movie Night 7:00 PM | Freight Bar

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

• Open Mic Comedy Night 8:00 PM | Southern Roots Brewing Co.

• Thursday Night Locals' Lounge 9:00 PM | Freight Bar

Friday - 4th of July🇺🇸 🇺🇸 

Fourth on the Brazos 6:00 PM | McLane Stadium

SHOUTOUT

Homestead Weekly Market

This Saturday’s forecast? Sun, smiles, and Texas-grown watermelon—fresh, sweet, and ready for your summer picnic table.
While you’re there, sip on boba, grab a taco, and let the kids loose in the giant hay slide or Texas-sized maze.
Bonus: You can even pour your own beeswax candle or build a wooden toy truck.
📍747 Dry Creek Road | Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Get directions & vendor info*
^{*indicates sponsored advertising content.}

SPORTS🐻

Tri-Waco took over downtown on Sunday, and nearly 700 athletes swam the Brazos, biked through downtown, and ran Cameron Park like it owed them money. It was hot. Like… “standing-on-the-surface-of-the-sun” hot. And yet, Waco showed up strong.

Big shoutout to the top local finishers:

• Men: David Gerada, Michael Shelton, and Todd Monsen

• Women: Bonnie Collier, Wendy Sharp, and Haley Avant

If you saw the action and thought, “I could maybe do that… but with more Gatorade and less heat,” good news: Ironman Waco is coming in October. Time to start training—or at least start stretching.

🏈 Calling All Armchair Quarterbacks

Tired of yelling at the TV every Baylor football game? Here’s your moment.
Baylor is hosting open football tryouts this Wednesday, July 2.

If you've still got some college eligibility (or just a dream and a decent 40-yard dash), here’s the link to sign up:
👉 Try out for the Bears

Yes, it’s real. No, we don’t recommend showing up in jorts and Crocs.

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with your 4th of July fireworks watch party crew.