🫧 The biggest Waco weekend of the year

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like sleeping in on Sunday and waking up to someone else already making breakfast.

Great seeing 75 of you at Wednesday's Social Studies event — more of those coming soon. This weekend is about as packed as Waco gets. See you out there!

— Sam Harper

Mother's Day is Sunday. If you're still figuring out what to get her, Skin & Body Refinery on Austin Ave is worth a call.

Skin and Body Refinery is Waco's only SkinCeuticals Flagship med spa, and they know what they're doing. We're talking HydraFacials, medical-grade facials, injectables, lash lifts, laser treatments, all under physician supervision. Right now they have gift card specials running and a Sculptra promotion, which is a collagen-stimulating treatment that people tend to love once they try it.

A gift card from here is the kind of thing she'll actually be excited to use, not something that sits in a drawer.

📍 2210 Austin Ave | skinandbodyrefinery.com | (254) 235-0605*

The Dr. Pepper Museum turns 35 this Saturday, and the birthday present to Waco is a 23-foot fiberglass Dr. Pepper bottle, permanently installed in the museum courtyard at 300 S. 5th St. It's the largest Dr. Pepper bottle in the world, and the unveiling happens at 11 a.m.

The Birthday Bash runs 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and includes giveaways (a year's supply of Dr Pepper, a year of free Whataburger, James Avery bracelets), face painting, free samples from Blue Bell and Fuego Tortilla Grill, and family activities all afternoon. Timed entry tickets are available at drpeppermuseum.com.

The museum welcomed over 256,000 visitors last year. This bottle isn't going anywhere. Waco just got a new landmark.

After getting rained out last week, Brazos Nights is back at Indian Spring Park tonight, Friday May 8. On stage: Secretto and Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution, two Texas favorites with deep roots in Tejano music. Vendors open at 6 p.m., music runs until 11 p.m., weather permitting.

It's free. Coolers are welcome (no glass). Free parking at City Hall, Heritage Square, and River Square Center. The Suspension Bridge is the backdrop. There is no good reason to stay home tonight.

Whataburger's Whatateacher Grant Week awarded a $1,000 grant to Waco's Ms. Rebecca DeLeon, a 6th grade math teacher at Cesar Chavez Middle School.

She's spent three years building a classroom where students don't just memorize formulas, they actually understand them. She serves on the instructional leadership team, completed Relay Graduate School of Education, and runs one of the strongest rooms on campus. Whataburger said it simply: teachers make the world go 'round. We couldn't agree more. Congratulations, Ms. DeLeon.

🌪️ Walking the Path of the 1953 Tornado — Saturday Morning

On May 11, 1953, a tornado tore through downtown Waco and killed 114 people. Almost 200 buildings were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. It's one of the most significant moments in this city's history, and most people who live here today have never heard the full story.

This Saturday at 10 a.m., Eric Ames from Baylor University is leading a 2.5-mile walk that retraces the tornado's path through downtown, sharing the facts, stories, and legends tied to that afternoon. It starts at the Tornado Memorial at the corner of 4th and Austin Avenue.

It's free, open to everyone, dogs are welcome on leash, and it runs rain or shine. If you've ever wanted to understand Waco a little more deeply, this is a good way to spend a Saturday morning.

📍 4th Street & Austin Avenue | 10 AM | More Info

📌 Weekend Quick Hits

🎸 Camp Fimfo Concert Series — Two big nights at the Campitheater at 1000 Chickadee Lane. Friday: Jackson Wendell, Mike Ryan, and Shane Smith & the Saints. Saturday: Texas Jamm Band (featuring members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole band), Jason Boland & The Stragglers, and Bryan Martin. Camp on site or buy tickets for the show only. campfimfo.com

🎾 Baylor Men's Tennis in the NCAA Sweet 16 — Tonight — No. 10 seed Baylor hosts Pepperdine at 6 p.m. at the Hurd Tennis Center, playing for a spot in the Elite 8. Free admission, free food, kids zone, face painter, cornhole, and a foam glowstick giveaway. The Bears are 38-1 all-time when hosting postseason matches, so the home court advantage is real. Worth showing up for. baylorbears.com

🎉 Waco Block Party — Saturday at Southern Roots Brewing Co., 219 N. 8th St. Vendor market opens at 11 a.m., then Battle of the Bands and a car show at noon. It benefits Warriors Canvas, a Waco nonprofit supporting veterans through art. Completely free. wacoblock.party

🎸 Ted Nugent at The Backyard — Saturday night 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.91. thebackyardwaco.com

⚾ Baylor Baseball Final Home Series — Last chance to see the Bears at Magnolia Field this season, all three games vs. UCF. Friday at 6:30 p.m. is Caps & Capes Night with a cape giveaway. Saturday at 2 p.m. is Senior Day with a poster giveaway and postgame autographs. Sunday at 1 p.m. is Mother's Day, with a cookbook giveaway and kids run the bases after. Baylor is offering 4 tickets for $25 all weekend. baylorbears.com

Theo is a 7-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer/Standard Poodle mix, which means he's got the energy of a bird dog and the heart of a lap dog. He's still in full puppy mode, curious about everything and happy to meet anyone. He’s at Fuzzy Friends Rescue and ready for his forever home.
👉 Meet Theo here

Featured Event: Uptown Cheapskate Fill-A-Bag Sale
Saturday, May 9 | 10 AM to 8 PM | 1001 Webster Ave

Pay $25, grab a bag, and fill it with as many clothes as you can. Hundreds of bins, name brands, some items still new with tags. A coffee, tea, and lemonade truck will be on site all day.

The Buy Counter will be closed until 3 p.m. if you're bringing items to sell, but the shopping floor is open all day.*

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

🎈 Friday, May 8:

Brazos Nights: Secretto + Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution @ Indian Spring Park— 6 to 11 PM | Free

Baylor Men's Tennis vs. Pepperdine (NCAA Sweet 16) @ Hurd Tennis Center — 6 PM | Free admission + free food

Mother's Day Market @ The Will — 3 to 6 PM | Local vendors, live music, food

Baylor Baseball vs. UCF (Caps & Capes Night) @ Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark — 6:30 PM | 4 for $25 Tickets

Fastest Land Animal + Bob Schneider @ The Backyard — 8:30 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Joe Augeri @ The Will — 3 PM
Secretto @ Indian Spring Park (Brazos Nights) — 6 PM | Free
Jackson Wendell @ Camp Fimfo — 6 PM
The Brazos Brothers @ Lounge '93 — 7 PM
Willie Snell @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar — 7 PM
Mike Ryan @ Camp Fimfo — 7:30 PM
Johnny Joe Ramos @ The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro — 8 PM
Khoury Moore @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
Fiction Love @ Texas Music Cafe — 8 PM
Rachel and the Resistors @ The Will — 8 PM
Fastest Land Animal + Bob Schneider @ The Backyard — 8:30 PM
Shane Smith & the Saints @ Camp Fimfo — 9 PM

🎈 Saturday, May 9:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza, 200 E. Bridge St. — 9 AM

China Spring Farmers Market @ 12301 Yankie Rd - 9 AM

Tornado Remembrance Walk @ Tornado Memorial, 4th & Austin Ave. — 10 AM | Free

Mother's Day Mahjong @ Magnolia Old Church on the Silos — 10 AM to 1 PM

Uptown Cheapskate Fill-A-Bag Sale @ Webster Market — 10 AM to 8 PM

Dr. Pepper Museum 35th Birthday Bash + World's Largest Bottle Unveiling @ 300 S. 5th St. — 10 AM to 5:30 PM | Unveiling at 11 AM | drpeppermuseum.com

Waco Block Party @ Southern Roots Brewing Co., 219 N. 8th St. — Vendors at 11 AM, Battle of the Bands + car show at noon | Free

Mother & Daughter Brunch: Sundae Sweethearts @ Carleen Bright Arboretum — 11 AM to 1:30 PM

Backyard Boutique Art Fair put on by Waco artist Wendy Michelle Davis to enjoy a beautiful day of curated art, music, food, and drinks in a garden setting @ 215 Arrowhead Point — 11 AM to 6 PM | FREE Entry

Austin Avenue Parade of Historic Homes — 1 to 4 PM Use code BUZZ to get $5 off your ticket.

Petworking in the Park: Free pet vaccines + microchipping @ Brazos Park East — 10 AM to 2 PM

Oddities Market @ Skellington Curiosities, 512 N. Hewitt Dr. — 12 to 4 PM

Mission Waco Youth Garage Sale @ 1201 N. 16th St. (The Rock) — 8 AM to 4 PM

Baylor Baseball vs. UCF (Senior Day + postgame autographs) @ Magnolia Field — 2 PM | 4 for $25

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Texas Jamm Band (featuring members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole band) @ Camp Fimfo — 6 PM
Jazz Saturdays @ Segovia Wine Bar — 7 PM
Gracie Binion @ Common Grounds — 7:30 PM
Jason Boland & The Stragglers @ Camp Fimfo — 7:30 PM
Spirit of Mars @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
Ted Nugent @ The Backyard — 8:30 PM
Bryan Martin @ Camp Fimfo — 9 PM

🎈Sunday, May 10: Mother’s Day

Baylor Baseball vs. UCF (Mother's Day game — cookbook giveaway, kids run the bases) @ Magnolia Field — 1 PM | 4 for $25 | Tickets

Blooms & Beauty Brunch @ AC Marriott, 600 Mary Ave. — 10 AM to 2:30 PM | Build-your-own bouquet, brunch buffet, cocktail bar

Homegrown Sunday & Outdoor Market @ The Will — 12 PM

💼 Director of Agent Operations — American Amicable Group.
A leadership role with one of Waco's established insurance employers. View listing

🏢 Community Manager, Roots at Waco — Greystar
Property management role for a Waco apartment community. Good fit for someone with multifamily experience. View listing

🔧 Ops & Maintenance Coordinator — Campus Realtors
Organized and hands-on, with a foot in Waco's real estate scene. View listing

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 89 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.

🪙153 five-star reviews, free appraisals, and a reputation for fair market value. Reliable Coins is where Waco goes to sell gold and silver the right way.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevy of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

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Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with the best mom you know in Waco.

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