☕What's happening in Waco this weekend? (5/15 - 5/17)

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the newsletter that feels like finding out Friday is also a half day.

There's still a little Willie Nelson energy floating around this city this morning. Add Baylor graduation weekend and 87-degree weather to the mix, and you've got yourself a full Waco weekend.

— Sam Harper

With one week left in school, I'm already thinking about summer. Specifically, how to not hear "I'm bored" on repeat from Memorial Day to August from my kids.

One answer: Basin Climbing + Fitness.

They run youth summer camps that teach kids to climb, build confidence, and make friends in the process. It's the kind of activity your kid will actually tell you about at dinner.

Waco Buzz readers get $25 off with code WACOBUZZ. Sessions fill up, so if you want a specific week, grab it now.

If you've been thinking about getting yourself into a gym this summer, Basin is worth a serious look. It's social, it's challenging, and climbing is a better workout than most people expect.

New members get 30% off monthly dues through June 30 with code SUMMERSAVINGS.

Returning member? You’re not left out. Use code SUMMERSAVINGS20 for 20% off, locked in through August 15.

The Central Texas Food Bank announced this week it will merge with Shepherd's Heart on June 1. Shepherd's Heart has been a Food Bank partner since 2010, serving thousands of Waco-area residents. The merger comes alongside the Food Bank opening a new 64,000-square-foot facility at 1402 Gholson Road this summer with an on-site market, commercial kitchen, benefits center, workforce training programs. Read more from Kxxv.

Meanwhile, the Waco Salvation Army is building a $20 million Center of Hope at LaSalle Avenue and 12th Street. The new center will have 15 apartments where families can stay up to two years and take the furniture when they leave. They're $7.5 million from their goal, with a public campaign on the way. Read more.

Two big commitments in the same week. Waco's support systems are getting stronger.

The Heart O' Texas Fair and Rodeo awarded 45 scholarships totaling $251,000 this week to Texas students recognized for academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement.

Extraco Events Center president Dustin Coufal said it plainly: this is why they do the fair and rodeo every year. The scholarships are the point. Makes you feel better about the $19 funnel cake you get every year. Read more from KWKT.

💬 Two Ways to Engage With Waco's Data Center Conversation

Whether you're curious or concerned, there are two events this month worth knowing about regarding local data centers, and they're coming at the topic from different angles.

Duos Edge AI Open House — Thursday, May 21, 11 AM to 1 PM
Duos Edge AI, in partnership with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, is opening the doors to their newly operational Edge Data Center. This facility already serves numerous school districts and 12 counties. Come tour it, see how it works, and hear how it's designed to support local schools, healthcare, and businesses.

Data Center Impacts: A Waco Bridge Forum — Thursday, May 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cameron Hall, McLennan Community College. This one asks the harder questions. McLennan County Judge Scott Felton, data center expert Dr. Margaret Cook of the Houston Advanced Research Center, and Environment Texas' Luke Metzger will lead a community conversation about what a large-scale data center in rural McLennan County means for local water, electricity, and the environment — and what the economic case looks like. Free to attend. Grab a free ticket here.

One event shows you what's already here. The other helps you get educated on what may be coming.

📌 Weekend Quick Hits

🍎 Teacher Night at Fabled Bookshop & Cafe, 215 S. Fourth St. — tonight, Friday May 15, from 6 to 9 PM. Free ice cream, door prizes, a 20% discount on books and cafe items, and a goody bag for every educator who walks in. The 4th Annual Outstanding Educator Award gets announced at 7:45 PM — winner gets free books for a year. RSVP free. Know a teacher who deserves the award? Nominate them before tonight.

🍋 Lemonade Day Waco has youth-run stands across town Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM Slow down, find a stand, and throw a few dollars at a kid with a business plan.

🗑️ Household Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday, May 16, from 7 AM to 1 PM at 501 Schroeder Drive. The City of Waco will take paint, chemicals, batteries, and other hazardous items off your hands for free. Open to residents of Bellmead, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Waco, and Woodway.

🍽 Waco Buzz Dinner Club is back on Wednesday, May 27
Take a quick personality quiz, get matched with 5 compatible strangers, and show up for dinner. We handle the restaurant (revealed the morning of), you just bring yourself. After dinner, all tables converge at a surprise after-party location. Book your seat here.

Big thanks to Skin & Body Refinery for sponsoring this month's Dinner Club. Waco's only SkinCeuticals Flagship med spa, located at 2210 Austin Ave. HydraFacials, injectables, laser treatments, and more — all under expert physician supervision.

Eddie is a 2-year-old Pug who has fully figured out what he wants in life: someone to sit with, something to sniff, and a couch with his name on it. He's 16 pounds of pure loyalty wrapped in wrinkles, and he will absolutely be waiting at the door when you get home. He's at Fuzzy Friends Rescue and ready for his forever home.
👉 Meet Eddie here

Featured Event
Fox and Co. Bakery Ribbon Cutting
Friday, May 15 | 9:30 a.m. | 601 Franklin Ave.

Downtown Waco has a new bakery. Fox and Co. cuts the ribbon Friday morning. Stop by and try some of the best coffee cake in town or look at their menu here.

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

🎈 Friday, May 15:

Line Dancing Lessons with Dena @ The Will — 6 to 7:45 PM

"Pride and Prejudice" @ PACC, 924 Austin Ave. — 7 p.m. Tickets

"Kiss Me, Kate" @ Waco Civic Theatre — 7:30 PM Tickets

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Harmony Music Spring Showcase @ Texas Music Cafe — 5 PM
Eric & Thomas Unplugged @ Segovia Wine Bar — 7 PM
Los Roachez @ The Will — 8 PM
Chris Whitten @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
David Adam Byrnes @ The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill — 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday, May 16:

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

China Spring Farmers Market @ 12301 Yankie Rd - 9 AM

Walk with a Doc @ Mountainview Park, 2325 Mountainview Dr. — 9 AM | Free | Meet between the splash pad and the tennis courts

Hikes N' Pints Group Hike @ Northern Gateway, 14 Lovers Leap Road — 10 AM | 21+

Main Street Market @ Extraco Event Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd. — all day | $6, kids 12 & under free

Eastside Market @ Brotherwell Brewing, 400 E. Bridge St. — 11 AM to 3 PM | Free

Skellington Oddities Market @ 512 N. Hewitt Drive — noon to 4 PM

Saturday Sip & Social: Oil Pastels Workshop @ Art Center Waco — 2 to 4 PM

"Kiss Me, Kate" @ Waco Civic Theatre — 7:30 PM (also 2:30 PM matinee)

"Pride and Prejudice" @ PACC — 7 PM (also 2 PM matinee)

Brazos Theatre Stand Up Comedy @ PACC — 8 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Garrett Morphis @ Lounge '93 — 7:30 PM
Nicki Heath @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar — 8 PM
Concrete Donkey @ Barnett's Whiskey House — 8 PM
Midnight River Choir @ The Will — 8 PM
Barracuda TX (Tribute to HEART) @ The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill — 8:30 PM

🎈Sunday, May 17

Homegrown Sundays @ The Will — Vendors 11 AM to 3 PM, live music noon to 8 PM

Main Street Market @ Extraco Event Center

Sunflower Soirée: Hats Off to Moms @ Element Hotel Waco — 1 to 3 PM | $15

"Kiss Me, Kate" @ Waco Civic Theatre — 2:30 PM

"Pride and Prejudice" @ PACC — 2 PM

💼 Sales & Marketing Specialist — The Grandson Home Care
Part-time, $15-20/hr + uncapped commission. A family-owned home care company looking for someone with strong people skills to build referral relationships around Waco. Flexible schedule, M-F. Good fit if you want meaningful work with room to grow. View role and apply.

📈 Growth Marketing Manager — Casina Hospitality
Full-time, $65,000-75,000/yr + performance bonus. Casina runs 12+ Tex-Mex restaurant locations and needs someone to own their marketing calendar, loyalty programs, and sales-driving campaigns. Remote-eligible. If you've done multi-location marketing, this one's worth a look. View role and apply.

🎬 Full-Time Assistant Manager — Cinemark
Cinemark Waco is hiring an assistant manager to help run theatre operations. Free movies, 401(k) matching, and a clear path to General Manager through their accreditation program. View role and apply.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 95 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.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best. They’re offering Sculptra specials of buy two get one free to help your body grow its own collagen.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off.

💪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 worth doing this weekend, share it with the neighbor you keep meaning to actually hang out with.

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

1. Want to reach Waco? This newsletter lands in 13,500+ 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.

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