🎆 Waco's fireworks secrets

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the newsletter that feels like finishing the last day of June with a cold drink already in hand.

In today's edition:
🎆 Your July 4th plan: The Jacksons, fireworks, and where to watch
🏄 Bethany Hamilton is coming to Waco Surf
🦟 Why mosquitoes are eating you alive (Baylor explains)
🏗 Big news near Baylor, new openings, and more
✈️ Waco to Denver for $250

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

🎆 Your July 4th Fireworks Plan

The H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza is this Saturday, July 4 at Touchdown Alley, 1001 S. MLK Blvd. Free. Gates open at 6 PM, the Waco Community Band plays at 9:10, fireworks go up at 9:15.

The entertainment this year: The Jacksons. Jackie and Marlon Jackson, brothers of Michael and Janet, performing the catalog that gave us "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "Blame It on the Boogie." They are in their 60s and 70s and still doing the moves. Waco landing this show for a free Fourth of July on the Brazos is not a small thing.

Your four best spots:

Touchdown Alley — the main stage, food trucks, the closest view. Clear bag required for entry into the interior. Chair and cooler welcome, no glass.

South Plaza — the grass amphitheater and river steps. More room, still a great sightline.

Ferrell Center area — free parking off LaSalle, fireworks visible, and you skip the main-stage crowd.

Brazos Parking (across from McLane) — paid lot with room to spread a blanket and watch from your tailgate.

🏄 Bethany Hamilton Is Coming to Waco Surf

If you don't know her story: Bethany Hamilton was 13 when a tiger shark took her left arm off the coast of Kauai. She was back on a surfboard within a month. She went on to compete professionally, wrote a book, and had it turned into a film called Soul Surfer.

On July 28, she's hosting a private Surf Day at Waco Surf. Small groups, all skill levels welcome, no experience required. It's part of her All Things Possible Club, an intentionally small gathering built around faith, courage, and time on the water with Bethany herself. Waco Surf has been one of her favorite stops for years. Now she's making it official. Details at bethanyhamilton.com.

🦟 Why Mosquitoes Love You More Than Your Friends
Your mom said it was sweet blood. Turns out she was basically right.

Baylor biology professor Jason Pitts, Ph.D. studies mosquito odor receptors and says it comes down to how you smell. As you sweat, you release carboxylic acids that vary person to person. Some people's chemistry is just more attractive to mosquitoes. Nothing personal. Well, sort of personal.

His four-part defense going into the holiday weekend:

Dress in light, loose, long-sleeved clothing. Drain any standing water in your yard, including kids' pools at least once a week. DEET is your most effective repellent. Mosquitoes can smell it coming and still fly away after tasting it on your skin. Dusk and dawn are peak hours, so plan accordingly before your morning walk or your 9:15 fireworks watch on Saturday. Get the full plan here.

🏆 Shoutout: Locals Dominate Tri Waco

A few Wacoans worth celebrating coming out of Tri Waco. Todd Monsen, Bonnie Collier, Joshua Xolalpa, Clay Gibson, and Jacob French all finished near the top of their age groups at Tri Waco last Sunday. If any of you are reading this, well done. If you are friends with any of them, give them a high five for us. Honestly, if you know anyone who even attempted it, they deserve a huge high five and probably a massage gift card.

If you don’t know about the race: 1,500-meter open water swim in the Brazos, a 40K bike, then a long run. In June. In Texas. We see you.

Waco to Denver: $250 roundtrip

Just got back from a week in the Rockies. Nights in the 40s. The kind of air that makes Waco's July feel like a fever dream. Rocky Mountain National Park is worth every mile.

If a mountain trip has been on the list, this is the push. Check the deal here.
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🏗 630 New Beds Coming Near Baylor
Seventh and James Baptist Church has sat at the corner of 7th Street and James Avenue for 70 years. That's about to change.

Austin-based developer Parallel is building a seven-story, 264-unit student housing complex with 630 beds on the church's property. The $59 million project targets completion in August 2028. The congregation planned this move themselves over four and a half years and is building a new, smaller home right next door. Cromwell Commercial Group has the listing.

📌 Quick Hits

7 Brew Coffee continues to add to their Waco domination plan by adding another location at 736 Hewitt Drive. They will start renovating the former Salad and Go location in August. They are targeting opening November 30.

China Star Buffet opens Wednesday, July 1 at 11 AM at 1411 N. Valley Mills Dr., in the old Fuddruckers building. Worth a lunch run if you're in that part of town this week.

Tandy Leather is now open at 4734 West Waco Drive. If you've never been, Tandy has been the go-to for leather supplies, tools, and classes since 1919. Good spot to know about if you're into making things with your hands.

A new 7-Eleven is planned for Highway 84 and Main Street in McGregor. Construction starts August 1, target opening May 1, 2027.

📜 They're Reading the Declaration Out Loud.
This Thursday, July 2 at 9 AM, members of the McLennan County Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association will read the full Declaration of Independence on the 5th Street side of the McLennan County Courthouse. It takes about 10 minutes. It's free. Hearing "He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, and destroyed the lives of our people" read aloud by a defense attorney on the courthouse steps two days before the Fourth hits different. Could be great to take your kids with you as well.

👮 Speaking of Public Service — Waco PD Is Hiring
If you've ever thought about a career in law enforcement, the window is open. Applications close July 9, the Civil Service Exam is July 18, and the starting salary is $79,635 with incentives up to $15,000. Apply at wacotx.gov.

🚫 And Before You Light Anything This Weekend
Personal fireworks are illegal inside Waco city limits. Possession, use, discharge. Fine up to $2,000, possible jail time. Sparklers are the move.

This Weekend
🎆 Fourth of July Weekend at the Silos — July 3-5

Magnolia is going all out for the Fourth. 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 this coming Sunday the 5th as well, which doesn't happen often. It's free and outdoors all weekend. See everything they're putting on this weekend here.^*

Tuesday, June 30:

Wednesday, July 1:

Thursday, July 2:

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

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for $1 in June and get your first workout free.

🧗‍♀️ 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.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevrolet 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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💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with the friend who already has their spot on the Brazos picked out for Saturday night.

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