Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, he local newsletter that's like a fresh cup of coffee: locally roasted, full of flavor, and best enjoyed first thing in the morning.
In today's edition:
🇺🇸 Veterans Day in Waco
💬 Final Social Studies of the Year
🍬 Mars turns 50
🧇 Waffle House's timeline
🎟 Midweek Events
Let's get to it!
- Sam Harper
TOGETHER WITH SKIN & BODY REFINERY
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BUZZWORTHY NEWS
🇺🇸 Waco has been honoring veterans for more than 100 years
Waco's Veterans Day tradition goes back further than you might think. The city's annual parade dates to 1923, just five years after the end of World War I. The city's military history goes back even further. During WWI, Camp MacArthur brought roughly 35,000 soldiers to Waco for training, nearly doubling the city's population. During WWII, Blackland Army Air Field trained thousands of pilots before they headed overseas.
Waco has continued that commitment to veterans ever since. Its VA medical center opened in 1932, and today bears the name of Waco-born Pearl Harbor hero Doris Miller. Along the Brazos, memorials at Indian Spring Park honor McLennan County residents who died serving in Vietnam, Korea, and more recent conflicts.
Here's how Waco is marking the occasion Wednesday:
The annual Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. at 13th Street and Austin Avenue, heading toward City Hall. It's free to attend. Bring a lawn chair, arrive early, and plan around downtown road closures. The parade runs rain or shine.
Where veterans can eat free and visit for free
Several businesses are offering Veterans Day deals Wednesday, Nov. 11. Bring proof of service:
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum: Free admission for veterans, active-duty military and retirees. Discounted admission for family.
Torchy's Tacos: Free taco and drink.
Dog Haus: Free entrée.
💬 Community Corner: Two more nights of Social Studies
Social Studies is our live lecture series that pops up in different places around Waco. We've got two more nights before wrapping up 2026.
This Thursday: Baylor professor Dr. Michael Scullin takes us inside The Sleeping Brain at The Baylor Club.
Dec. 3: Retired Texas Ranger sergeant Jim Huggins takes on The CSI Effect: What TV Gets Wrong About Crime Scene Investigation at Southern Roots Brewing.
If you're into NCIS, CSI, or any of those crime shows, this is your night. Hear from someone who's worked real cases and learn what Hollywood gets wrong. Huggins promises real stories, cleaned up for a local crowd. His words: no dead bodies.
Come curious, learn something new, and meet a few new people along the way.
✈️ Flight Deal of the Week
Waco to Nashville, $250 round-trip. Planning a bachelorette weekend? Fly to Nashville in January for live music, honky-tonks, and a long weekend with your favorite people. Prefer a mountain cabin to Broadway? Rent a car and head east for cozy nights, scenic views, and a little more room to celebrate.👉 Check flights*
*Price is subject to change and may no longer be available at the time you check the link.
🍬 Waco's Mars plant turns 50
The Mars factory in Waco opened in 1976 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. Every Starburst sold in the U.S. is made there, along with about 80% of the Snickers distributed across North America. Think Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, minus the golden tickets. It employs roughly 900 people. So that pink Starburst you fished out of the bowl first? It was made right here in Waco.
☕ Meet The Waco Buzz Limited Edition coffee
With a name like The Waco Buzz, it was only a matter of time before we got into coffee. Now, while you're enjoying reading this over your morning cup, you can support another local business, too. We've teamed up with For Keeps Coffee on a limited-edition Waco Buzz Guatemala blend, roasted right here in Waco. Buying local keeps dollars in our community and helps small businesses like For Keeps thrive. It's a little more Waco in your morning routine.
👉 Get your Waco Buzz Limited Edition coffee
🍽 A date-night restaurant is coming to Encore
Encore is about to give downtown Waco another dinner reservation worth making. The new street-level restaurant, led by Chef Cayman Colunga, opens Monday, Nov. 16, at 724 Austin Ave., in the former Maria Mezcaleria space. It's the first stop in Encore's three-floor experience, with a cocktail lounge and rooftop still to come upstairs. Take a look and reserve a table.
🧇 Waffle House has a construction timeline
For everyone who's been asking: state filings confirm two Waco locations. The first is at 2301 S. New Road, near Cinemark and Topgolf, with an estimated finish of Aug. 1. The second is at 722 S. 7th St., near Baylor, with the goal of opening in February 2028.
🥘 Di Campli's is eyeing McGregor
Di Campli's is planning a new restaurant inside McGregor's historic First National Bank Building at 222 Main St. Construction filings show plans for a covered patio, with work projected to begin in December.
Also on the list:
🍳 Secret Chef is opening a downtown spot at 116 Mary Ave, sharing space with Waco Bodymend Company. The catering and ready-made meals shop has been feeding Waco for more than 10 years.
🐼 Panda Express is headed to 1135 N. Loop 340 in Bellmead, next to the new Wienerschnitzel and Academy.
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CIVIC NEWS
🚧 University Parks Drive is closed for six months
Since Monday, University Parks Drive has been fully closed between Washington Avenue and Bosque Boulevard while crews do utility work. Pedestrian access along the river stays open, but drivers should plan extra time and use alternate routes.
The reason is Barron's Branch. Construction has begun, and crews are uncovering a long-buried creek that will anchor a new downtown park.
🦆 The Lake Waco Wetlands are flowing again
After a pump improvement project, the rebuilt system is moving water from the North Bosque River into the wetlands. It'll take a few more weeks for the wetlands to fill, but waterfowl are already settling in. A bobcat has even stopped by. Visit at 1752 Eichelberger Crossing.
🏆 SPORTS
Gif by baylor_athletics
🏈 Football: Baylor handled Iowa State 42-31 on Saturday. Next stop: Provo, where the Bears get a shot at No. 12 BYU this Saturday at 2:30 PM CT on FOX.
🏀 Basketball: It's a busy week at Foster Pavilion. The men welcome Yale tonight at 7 PM for Salute to Service. The women have two at home: Prairie View A&M Thursday at 7 PM and East Texas A&M Sunday at 2 PM. Sunday's game comes with a bonus: a fire truck, police cruiser, and family activities on the plaza before tipoff.
🎟️ A family deal worth knowing: Four tickets to Sunday's women's game cost just $18. Grab your seats.
🏐 Volleyball: BYU is also coming to town Thursday, making it a doubleheader kind of night for Baylor sports fans. The 7 PM match is Faith and Family Night, with post-match testimonies from Baylor volleyball student-athletes.
MIDWEEK EVENTS
Tuesday, November 10:
Buckets & Bandanas @ Pop’s Lemonade, 3-6 PM
Business After Hours with Chamber of Commerce @ AC Hotel, 5 PM
Bingo Night @ Jorge’s Waco, 6 PM
Beer Garden Yoga @ Brotherwell Brewing, 7 PM
Smarty Pints Trivia @ Southern Roots Brewing Co., 7 PM
Baylor Men’s Basketball vs Yale @ Foster Pavilion, 7 PM
Big Love @ Baylor’s Mabee Theatre, 7:30 PM (runs through Sunday, mature content advisory)
Wednesday, November 11:
The Meetup @ Startup Waco, 9 AM
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Parade @ Austin Avenue, 11 AM
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Social Hour @ Baylor Club, 4:30–6:30 PM
Trivia Night @ Dog Haus, 7 PM
Music Bingo @ Brotherwell Brewing, 7 PM
Big Love @ Baylor’s Mabee Theatre, 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 12:
Story Time with Tabitha Page@ Fabled Bookshop, 10:30 AM
Handshakes & Headshots @ Baylor Club, 5 PM
Social Studies: The Sleeping Brain @ The Baylor Club, 7 PM Tickets
Music Bingo @ Waco Ale Co., 7 PM
Trivia Night @ Brotherwell Brewing, 7 PM
Celeste Connally Book Talk @ Fabled Bookshop, 7 PM
Baylor Women’s Basketball vs Prairie View A&M, 7 PM
Baylor Volleyball vs BYU @ Ferrell Center, 7 PM
Big Love @ Baylor’s Mabee Theatre, 7:30 PM
Hosting an event in Waco? Let’s get more people there. Add it to The Waco Buzz community calendar and help more Wacoans discover what’s happening around town. The more events we share, the more reasons people have to get out and get involved. 👉 Submit your event
💛 EXTRA EXTRA
💧 Black Friday is coming to I-Vit. I-Vit Wellness Lounge is offering 20% off all IV drips during Thanksgiving week. A little holiday-week reset, with a little savings. See the details.
💪 Want to move and recover better? Waco Body Mend is built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best.*
🛞 Chevy of West's Red Tag Sale is on. Owner Leo Pacheco and General Sales Manager Mark Varia are rolling out red-tagged deals on select vehicles, along with special offers on tires, brakes, shocks and struts, and tire sensors. See what's on sale.
THANKS!
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