❤️ Waco, should we do this?

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that's as satisfying as finding out Friday's rain will clear up just in time for your weekend plans

Let’s get to it!
— Sam Harper

If you've got old coins, scrap gold, silver, jewelry, or even a Rolex sitting in a drawer somewhere — Shane at Reliable Coins is the guy to call. He's been running the family-owned shop in Woodway since 2013, and his reputation around here is built on one thing: he just tells you the truth.

Tracey had never sold gold or silver before and said Shane "explained every step as we went along." Dave has been buying and selling precious metals with him for years and put it simply: "utmost integrity." That's the kind of place it is.

No pressure. No games. Just honest appraisals on coins, bullion, scrap gold and silver, sports memorabilia, and more. Pop by next week after doing some spring cleaning this weekend.

📍 112 Midway Center, Woodway | Mon–Thu 9–6, Fri 9–5 📞 (254) 239-1160*

Eight-time ACM Group of the Year. Seven-time CMA Group of the Year. Nine number-one singles at country radio. And they're coming to Foster Pavilion on September 18 for Baylor's Family Weekend.

Public tickets go on sale today, May 1, at 10 a.m. at baylorbears.com/tickets. The concert is open to all locals, not just Baylor families and based on what happened when Lauren Daigle sold out Family Weekend last year, I wouldn't wait on this one. If you've been wondering why Baylor is suddenly booking Willie Nelson, Post Malone, and Old Dominion and selling beer at all of them — you're not alone. The modern college athletics landscape demands new revenue streams, and Baylor is being strategic to make that happen.

Chip and Joanna Gaines and Magnolia have announced a new scholarship endowment at McLennan Community College, set to support more than 50 students each year starting this fall. The Magnolia Scholarship Endowment will live inside the MCC Foundation, which already awards more than 800 scholarships annually. 👉 Learn more

In other Magnolia news, The Little Shop on Bosque is closing its doors for good this Saturday, May 2. To send it off, they're running an additional 20% off all clearance inventory Friday and Saturday. If you've ever meant to pop in, this is your last chance at the original spot.

With the rain rolling in all day today, and Brazos Nights have been rescheduled to Friday, May 8. Same great lineup, just one week later. Enjoy the cooler temps this weekend and save your energy for next Friday.

📌 Weekend Quick Hits

🎮 2,000 college gamers in Waco this weekend — The Collegiate Esports Commissioner's Cup May Madness takes over the Waco Convention Center all weekend. Ninety-one teams, five games, one of the largest collegiate esports championships in the country.

🥏 Pro Disc Golf @ Brazos Park East — all weekend — Innova presents a pro disc golf tournament with Cameron Park as the backdrop. Worth watching even if you've never picked up a disc.

🌿 Waco Wellness Festival — Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. — 30-plus local wellness vendors at Cameron Park's Northern Gateway. Free, open to the public, come and go.

🎭 Two shows all weekend — Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the PACC and The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition at Waco Civic Theatre both run Friday through Sunday with evening shows and Saturday/Sunday matinees. PACC tickets | Civic Theatre tickets

🎣 Salty Crew Bass, Barrels & Airs @ Waco Surf — Saturday — Bass tournament in the morning (check-in 6 a.m.), then at 4 p.m. pro surfers Baja Koala, Levi Slawson, and CJ Hobgood take over the wave pool for an air show. Free for all ages on Saturday.

🏇 Derby weekend — The Will has a Kentucky Derby Party Saturday from 4 PM - 8 PM(Best Pink Wardrobe contest). Run for the Roses supporting Ascension Providence is taking place Saturday at 2 PM with mint juleps and more at Old Bethany.

📅 Social Studies with Dr. Lenore Wright
Just a heads up — our next Social Studies event is Wednesday, May 6. Social Studies is a recurring event series we put on where local professors and experts give a lecture in an unexpected place like a bar or coffeeshop. Picture a Ted Talk during happy hour with a bunch of new friends. Get tickets here.

Our April Dinner Club sent 98 people out to dinner at restaurants across town. It was one of the best nights I've had since starting this newsletter. If you came out, thank you for making it what it was.

The next Dinner Club is already scheduled for the end of May. Spots will go fast.

💘 Should We Do a Dating Event?

After six Dinner Clubs and nearly 500 people seated, the most common question I get is some version of: "Sam, when are you doing a dating event?"

So here's the concept — and you tell me if we should do it.

There are two tickets. A Pitcher brings their single friend and delivers a 2–3 minute PowerPoint presentation to the crowd about why their friend is the ultimate catch. Think roast meets wedding toast, in front of a room full of strangers who actually want to be there. Then an Attendee ticket is just a seat in the audience — come for the entertainment, stay to go talk to whoever caught your eye once the pitches wrap up.

Not single? Perfect. Come for the comedy, cheer someone on, and enjoy a room full of possibility. Whether you leave with a number or just a great story, it beats another night on the apps.

If enough of you say yes, we'll start putting some things in motion to make this happen.

Louise is a 2 year old Labrador Retriever/Border Collie mix who weighs 35 pounds and is reportedly very good at both of those things. Smart, energetic, and ready for a family who'll keep up with her.
She's at Fuzzy Friends Rescue and ready for her forever home.
👉 Meet Louise here

Open House Update
News for the Open House section, starting this Sunday, it's got a new home in the Sunday Sip edition. If you're in real estate and want to get your listings in front of 13,000+ Waco readers in a creative way, reply and let's talk.

Your appraisal notice showed up this week, and if it made you do a double take, you’re not alone. I found Parity Tax, and instead of taking a big cut like the national firms, they charge a simple flat fee to build your protest, plus you can check your potential savings for free before deciding to move forward. Find out how much you can save here.

🎈 Friday, May 1:

"The Shape of Being" Gallery Opening Reception @ Washington Gallery — 6 PM

Baylor Baseball vs Texas Tech @ Magnolia Field - 6:30 PM Every Inning New Prizes

John Conlee @ Waco Hippodrome Theatre — 7 PM

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang @ The PACC, 924 Austin Ave — 7 PM

The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition @ Waco Civic Theatre — 7 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Lauren January @ Uncle Dan's BBQ — 6:30 PM
Nikki Heath @ Blue Pup Wine and Martini Bar — 7 PM
Kelly MacGregor and Frank Exum @ Segovia Wine Bar — 7 PM
Stan Wilfong @ The Grape Wine Bar and Bistro — 8 PM
Rewind Party Trio @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
Taylor Branch and the Lone Star Ramblers @ Camp Fimfo — 8 PM

🎈 Saturday, May 2:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market (celebrating National Bicycle Month) @ Bridge Street Plaza — 9 AM–1 PM

Kitefest @ Speegleville Park, 3400 Overflow Road — 10 AM (free admission, free kites for first 100 kids)

Coffee, Color, and Community @ Fuzz Lab Waco - 10 AM (Free Bitty & Beaus Coffee!)

Waco Gem and Mineral Festival @ Lee Lockwood Library - 10 AM

Waco Wellness Festival @ Cameron Park Northern Gateway, 704 Park Lake Dr — 10 AM–1 PM

Baylor Baseball vs Texas Tech @ Magnolia Field - 2 PM for Bark In the Park. Bring your pup and you’ll get a Baylor Bears dog toy to take home with you.

Mom and Me Floral Arrangement Workshop @ Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center, 300 N. MLK Jr. Blvd — 2 PM ($55/pair, registration required)

Salty Crew Bass, Barrels & Airs @ Waco Surf — Bass tournament starts 8 AM, Air Show 4 PM (free, all ages)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang @ The PACC — 2:30 PM matinee & 7 PM evening

The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition @ Waco Civic Theatre — 2:30 PM & 7 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Jazz Saturdays @ Segovia Wine Bar — 7 PM
Ray Palousek The Piano Man @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
Browning Snider @ Barnett's Whiskey House — 8 PM
Alton Ray @ Camp Fimfo — 8 PM
Matt Hilyer @ Texas Music Cafe — 8 PM
The Booger Boiles Band @ The Will — 8 PM
Easton Corbin @ The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill — 8:30 PM

🎈Sunday, May 3:

Waco Gem and Mineral Festival @ Lee Lockwood Library - 10 AM

Homegrown Market @ The Will — 1-5 PM

TXAGS Mahjong Tournament @ Jorge's Cantina — 12–4 PM

Baylor Baseball vs Texas Tech @ Magnolia Field - 1 PM Kids under 12 get in free and get to run the bases after the game.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang @ The PACC — 2:30 PM matinee

The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition @ Waco Civic Theatre — 2:30 PM

Fool House @ The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill — 8:30 PM

And if your weekend plans include looking for something new, here are three worth checking out.

💼 Executive Director — Waco Downtown Farmers Market
Lead one of Waco's best Saturday traditions. This role oversees strategy, fundraising, vendor relations, and the market's long-term growth. You'd be on-site every Saturday and present at the heart of downtown Waco's most beloved weekly gathering. $55K–$60K plus performance bonus.

🥤Director of Events and Communication — Mission Waco
Plan and execute Mission Waco's major fundraising events including their golf tournament, style show, and annual banquet. A great fit for someone with event management and communications experience who also cares deeply about serving Waco's most vulnerable neighbors.

💼 Assistant Director of One Stop — Baylor University
Lead a team that helps students and families navigate financial aid, billing, and admissions questions. If you've got enrollment management experience and like untangling complex systems for people who really need the help, Baylor's benefits package alone is worth a look.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 97 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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💪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 useful, share it with the friend who still hasn't figured out their Mother's Day plans.

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

1. Want to reach Waco? This newsletter lands in 13,000+ local inboxes every Tuesday Friday and Sunday. If you're a business owner looking to get in front of people who actually live here, let’s talk.

2. Dinner Club: Meet five other locals (recent movers and lifelong Wacoans) over dinner on May 27. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.