Happy Semiquincentennial, America 🇺🇸

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like the first cannonball into the pool on a 100 degree day.

🎆 Fourth on the Brazos, our 250th birthday party
🎶 Everything happening in Waco this weekend
⚽ Mexico vs. England on Sunday
💼 Three new jobs worth a look

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

Magnolia is going all out for America's 250th. Face painting, balloon art, temporary tattoos, live music, cotton candy, and a Market Sidewalk Sale with items up to 60% off. You can also build a custom hat, which is exactly the kind of thing kids will talk about for the rest of the summer.

Worth noting: the Silos will be open on Sunday too, which doesn't happen often. It's free and outdoors all weekend.

👉 See the full Fourth of July lineup at the Silos

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🎆 Fourth on the Brazos Is America’s Big 250th Birthday Party

This is the one to build your Saturday around. The City of Waco's Fourth on the Brazos opens gates at 6 p.m. at Touchdown Alle, right next to McLane Stadium, with food trucks and family fun leading up to the show. The first 5,000 guests through the gates get a free light-up LED wand while supplies last, so if your kids beg for those every year at the fair like mine do, don't dawdle.

The headliner is The Jacksons, taking the stage at 8 p.m. Yes, that Jacksons, founding members Jackie and Marlon still touring off "ABC" and "I'll Be There." At 9:10 p.m., the TFNB Liberty Lights Laser Show lights up the sky, then the H-E-B fireworks show follows at 9:35 p.m. sharp.

Admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs and get there early, because this crowd is going to be a big one.

Insider tip: if you're skipping the crowd and watching from the Baylor parking garage rooftop, just know fireworks kick off at 9:35 p.m. on the dot, so don't wander off before then.

📅 Circle This Month

I know it's hot (really hot), and I know the couch and air conditioning are calling your name after a long day.

It's the easier decision to stay home and press play on Love Island, but 10 times out of 10 you'll feel better if you get out and spend some time in your own city with neighbors.

Save this one and come back to it all month. Here are a few events worth circling:

July 4 🎆 Fourth on the Brazos
July 14 🎶 Carleen Bright Arboretum Summer Concert Series
July 16–19 🎬 Waco Indie Film Festival
July 19 ⚽ World Cup Final
July 25 📓 Waco PD Back to School Bash
July 26 🏃 Red, White, and Blue Race and Waco Comedy Jam
July 28 🍽️ Waco Buzz Dinner Club

📌 Quick Hits

Garden City, the new grocery store coming to the historic HEB building downtown, throws a Summer Market Party Friday and Saturday starting at noon, 1726 Austin Ave. Local boutiques, makers, and coffee vendors, plus a preview of the new space. Read more.

Art Center Waco hosts "Celebrating 250 Years of Independence" Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., music from Twelve 12 and Venus Envy plus food, drinks, vendors, and local art. Free and family friendly at 701 S 8th St. Read more.

Waco Civic Theatre Tours brings The Hobbit to the Lake Air Drive stage this weekend, Bilbo Baggins, dwarves, and dragons included. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets run $15.75 to $17.50. Read more.

Be Kind Coffee hosts The Weenie 500 Saturday at noon, 1534 Washington Ave, a hot dog eating contest under official Nathan's rules. Ten minutes, dogs only count if you swallow them, and puking resets your total. Top 5 finishers split prizes from Waco Running Company, Brotherwell Brewing, DogHaus, and Sendero Provisions, and the grand prize includes free Be Kind coffee for a year. RSVP here.

Liberty's Dream, a new play by local playwright Kay Bell, opens this weekend at The Midway Performing Arts Center. Each show closes with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Waco Community Choir. Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. only, Sunday's 2 p.m. matinee. Get tickets here.

The Liberty Run kicks off Saturday at 8 a.m. at the new First Woodway Fields. Patriotic-themed, free to join, with food and door prizes after. Read more.

Splash & Spark turns Saturday into a pool party at AC Hotel Waco Downtown, 5 to 10 p.m., with fireworks views starting around 9. Tickets run $15 to $60 depending on type. Read more.

Gone Ghost of Waco hosts a Car Meet Sunday at 8 p.m. at The Pavilion in Woodway, 1 Pavilion Way. Clean builds, family friendly energy, a strict no burnouts rule, all backgrounds welcome.

⚽ Mexico vs. England Watch Party Barnett's Whiskey House Patio Sunday, July 5 | 7 PM CT | 420 Franklin Ave

This is the one to plan your Sunday around. Mexico and England meet at Estadio Azteca with a quarterfinal spot on the line, and Barnett's has been the spot to watch every match of the tournament so far.

Mexico is undefeated on home soil and hasn't given up a goal yet. England scraped by DR Congo on a late Harry Kane goal. Get there early, this one's going to pack the patio.

🎈 Friday, July 3:

First Fridays Downtown @ Downtown Waco - All Day

250 Years of Independence @ Art Center Waco - 5-9 PM

Cultivated Identity Opening Reception @ Cultivate Waco - 6 PM

KWBU Summer Nights @ Brotherwell Brewing - 6-8 PM

Liberty's Dream @ Midway Performing Arts Center - 7:30 PM

The Hobbit @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Fourth of July Kickoff Concert with Sundae Drivers @ Carleen Bright Arboretum - 7 PM
Brax Fanks @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM
The Texas Heatwave Band @ The Will of Waco - 8 PM
Rodeo & Juliet @ The Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday, July 4:
Liberty Run @ First Woodway Fields - 8 AM

Waco Downtown Farmers Market (Fourth of July Edition) @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM-1 PM

Garden City Grocery Summer Market Party @ 1726 Austin Ave - 12 PM

The Weenie 500 @ Be Kind Coffee - 12 PM

The Hobbit @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2 PM

Splash & Spark @ AC Hotel Waco Downtown - Pool Opens 5 PM

Fourth on the Brazos @ Touchdown Alley - Gates 6 PM, The Jacksons at 8 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Joe Augeri & Touch of Grey @ The Will of Waco - 4 PM
Bluegrass @ Greater Waco Baptist Church - 5 PM
Jazz Saturdays @ Segovia Wine Bar - 7 PM
DJ Precyse @ Touchdown Alley - 6:45 PM
Brax Franks, Bubba, and Drew @ The Will of Waco - 8 PM
DJ JAYYY @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 10:30 PM

🎈 Sunday, July 5:

Liberty's Dream (Matinee) @ Midway Performing Arts Center - 2 PM

The Hobbit (Matinee) @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2 PM

Homegrown Sundays @ The Will - Market 1-5 PM, Music 12-5 PM

Magnolia at the Silos - Open All Day (Bonus Sunday Hours)

Mexico vs. England Round of 16 Watch Party @ Barnett's Whiskey House - 7 PM CT

Christian Car Meet @ The Pavilion (Woodway) - 8 PM Until Late

SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC
Gordon Pyle @ Red Herring - 11:30 AM
Michael Alexandersson @ The Will of Waco - 2 PM

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

💛 New This Sunday: The Good Life in Waco

Starting this Sunday, I’m launching a new anonymous series called The Good Life in Waco, real Wacoans sharing what a good life actually looks like around here: money, relationships, health. No names attached, just honest stories from your neighbors.

Got something to share? Submit your Good Life in Waco story here. I’ll plan on featuring some (anonymously) in Sunday's edition.

Regional Operations Director, WhiteWater Express Car Wash Oversee 20+ car wash locations across the Austin and Waco market. Base salary runs $100K to $110K with bonus potential up to $50K.

Realtor Partnership Representative, Matlen Silver
Build face to face relationships with Waco area realtors for a long term contract role. Pay is $23/hr plus commission, with realistic first year total pay between $60K and $70K.

IT Administrator Lead, Cornerstone Caregiving
Own hardware, credentials, and user access across a multi-site organization. Full time, reporting to the VP of IT. Google Workspace and MDM experience preferred.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 123 new roles added this week

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off their summer camp using code WACOBUZZ. If you or your child wants to try climbing before signing up, swing by the gym any day and give it a try together.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for $1 this month.

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Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something worth doing this weekend, share it with the friend who's already asked you three times if you're going to Fourth on the Brazos.

Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways to get more involved:

1. Want to reach Waco? This newsletter lands in 14,700+ local inboxes every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. If you’ve ever wondered, “Does anyone even know our business is here?” reach out.

2. Dinner Club: Meet five other locals (recent movers and lifelong Wacoans) over dinner on July 28. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.

3. Have an event you want to promote? Get it featured leading up to the event. Two spots available per issue. Reserve yours here.