Good Neighbors Make The Best Weekends

Good Morning Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, here to remind you that even in tough weeks, Waco is full of good neighbors.

It’s been a week, no doubt. If you’ve been online, you’ve probably seen more than you wanted to. My hope is that we all take a breath, step away from the noise when needed, and lean into the things that refill our tank—family, friends, faith, and time with neighbors.

And with that, let’s get to some of the good things happening around town this weekend.

Have a great weekend Waco!
— Sam Harper

🍂 LAST CALL for Fall Porch Magic! 🍂

This is your FINAL WEEKEND to guarantee your gorgeous fall porch transformation!

As cooler mornings and football season roll in, Bear Country Porches will deck out your porch with décor made for true Texas front-porch sitting. Perfect for Baylor game days, neighborhood hangouts, and impressing trick-or-treaters before Halloween.

📅 Fall orders close Sept. 15

👉 Secure your fall porch transformation today: BearCountryPorches.com

Rhythm & Brews Karaoke 🎤
United Way’s Rhythm & Brews brings local leaders to the karaoke stage Sept. 18 at The Backyard. Expect performances from Mayor Jim Holmes, Ann Harder, Blake & Kimberly Batson, and more—all to raise money for community programs. Tickets are $50 and include dinner.

United Way of McLennan County focuses on early childhood education, financial stability, and access to health resources—helping thousands of families every year. Supporting an event like this means you’re not just cheering for your favorite karaoke star, you’re investing in programs that strengthen Waco from the ground up. Grab your tickets here.

Local Favorites Open 🍗☕🥗
Three more spots to add to your Waco food map. Tru Jamaica is back in full swing serving Waco’s best jerk chicken at 937 Taylor St after a 2022 fire forced them to go mobile. Mila Café opened its first brick-and-mortar at 108 N. 25th after five years at the Farmers Market (read their story here). And over in China Spring, Waco’s first Scooter’s Coffee is officially brewing.

Curtain Up on Waco Civic Theatre’s $200K Expansion🎭
The Waco Civic Theatre just broke ground on a $200K expansion to celebrate 100 years of performances. The project will add more seating, accessibility upgrades, larger bathrooms, and even a gift shop. Save the date: Frozen opens Oct. 30. Looking ahead to 2026, kids can audition for Finding Nemo while summer musicals will feature Mean Girls and Dear Evan Hansen.

Dog of the Week: Chip 🐶
Chip is a 1-year-old Shih Tzu mix looking for his forever home. He’s housetrained, adorable, and available now through Fuzzy Friends Rescue. Think of him as the ultimate sidekick: small in size, big in personality, and always down for an adventure (or a nap). If Waco had a doggie coffee shop, Chip would be the regular who knows everyone’s name. Meet Chip here.

⛳Bootstrap Classic — Startup Waco is swinging big with their first charity golf tournament at Ridgewood. Expect caddies, swag, and championship-level play—all to fuel bold new businesses in Central Texas. Even if your short game stinks, you’ll want to be here.” → bootstrapclassic.com

🎭Baylor New Play Initiative— Four brand-new works premiere Sept. 26–28 at Baylor’s Mabee Theatre, each vying for the $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize. Be among the first to see tomorrow’s award-winning playwrights in action—early-bird packages start at $50 → get your tickets

🎙️ Middle Class Matters Podcast —Renae and Brooke talk with Steven, a longtime hospice nurse, about the surprising peace he’s witnessed at the bedside of hundreds of patients. From reunions with loved ones to moments that feel more like beginnings than endings, his stories offer comfort, hope, and a fresh perspective on life’s final chapter. 👉 Listen here → Spotify | Follow @mcmatterspodcast

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Today’s Open House sits in China Spring ISD with curb appeal for days, soaring ceilings, and even a saltwater pool out back.

Amenities include:

👉 Take your guess before peeking at the answer and photos here.

🏠 Evergreen Enterprises - Honest, reliable, and on time general contractor you can count on for every project, big or small.
⭐Adam Rogers - Texas Farm Bureau Insurance - Local, trusted insurance guidance designed specifically for your family and future.
🏢Cromwell Commercial Group - Helping you find, buy, and grow in the right commercial property to fit your investment goals.
🏗️Arise Construction- Waco’s trusted commercial contractor, delivering projects like the new Gibbons Island at Cameron Park Zoo, New Road Crossing, Uptown Cheapskate, and more across Waco.

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📆Friday:

Just Between Friends Waco Children’s & Maternity Sale @ Extraco Event Center - All Weekend starting 9 AM on Friday through 2 PM Sunday

Lauren Daigle @ Foster Pavilion - 7 PM SOLD OUT - Resale Tickets from $84

Game of Thrones Lives @ Performing Arts Community Center - 7 PM - $10

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7:30 PM Tickets

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC 🎶

Stan Wilfong @ The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro - 6 PM
Jared Pool @ Camp Fimfo - 7 PM
Throwback Tracks: ’80s Hits with DJ Eddie Rose @ The Will - 7 PM
Barbara & The Dirty Shirleys @ Texas Music Cafe - 8 PM Tickets
Colin Dexter @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar - 8 PM
Trent Cowie @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM Tickets

📆 Saturday:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Homestead Weekly Market @ Homestead Heritage - 10 AM

Baylor Football vs Samford @ McLane Stadium - 11 AM Tickets from $18

Salsa Showdown @ Harley Davidson of Waco - 12 PM

Off-Road RC Club Races @ HobbyTown - 1 PM

To Kill a Mockingbird (matinee) @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2:30 PM Tickets

Junior League of Waco BBQ Kickoff @ The Clifton House - 4 PM

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7:30 PM Tickets

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC🎶

Stumblin’ Jaxon @ The Will - 2 PM
Monte Rose @ Slow Rise on the Brazos - 6 PM
Live Jazz Saturday with Greg Bashara & Evan Klaras @ Segovia Wine Bar - 7 PM
Kent Klaras Band @ Camp Fimfo - 7 PM
Bobby Dean & Timeless Country Band @ The Will - 7 PM
Eric & Thomas Unplugged @ Union Grove - 7 PM
Dave Innis @ Marie’s Wine Bar - 7:30 PM

📆Sunday:

Homegrown Sunday & Outdoor Market @ The Will - 11 AM

Texas Blues Train Jam Session @ Waco Missions - 1 PM

Mother Daughter Tea @ Greater Waco YMCA - 2 PM

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2:30 PM

Open Mic @ Cricket’s Grill & Draft House - 5 PM

Song Swap & Open Mic Night @ Lakeside Bar - 7 PM

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