🎸 Willie's coming home

Good morning, Waco. This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like the first bite of a food truck meal you didn't know you needed.

Let’s get to it!
— Sam Harper

🎉April Special: Spring into savings with six weeks free when you sign a 12-15 month lease.

You'd think living this close to HEB, Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, and every Baylor game would mean noise and traffic. But The Residence at Central Texas Marketplace sits back among greenbelts, and it's quieter than you'd expect.

The units are sharp. Nine-foot ceilings, contemporary finishes, built-in desks in select homes. There's a fitness center, a business lounge for remote work days, and a dog wash on site because your roommate deserves nice things too.

It's one of those places that checks a lot of boxes without feeling like a compromise.

👉 Book a tour of The Residence
Looking for something else in Waco? Browse all RPM Living properties here.

🎸 Willie Nelson Is Coming Home to Baylor
Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. at baylorbears.com/tickets.

Willie is playing an outdoor show at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark on Thursday, May 14. It's been 72 years since he walked campus as a Baylor student, and he's never performed there. A 1988 concert was pulled by the university president at the time, and rumors of a "ban" followed him for decades. Baylor President Linda Livingstone put that to rest this week.

Gates open at 6 p.m., music at 7:30. Beer will be available. The show lands two weeks before Willie drops his 79th solo album, Dream Chaser. Baylor students can use presale code TRIGGER through their student ticket account.

🌮 Food Truck Showdown Turns 10 Tomorrow
30+ trucks, celebrity judges, and around 25,000 people are expected in Heritage Square for the 10th annual Texas Food Truck Showdown. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday, and awards will be announced at 4 p.m., wraps up at 8 p.m. New this year: a Doggy Derby from 11 to 3. Bring the pup. Come hungry. Bring cash.

Free parking throughout downtown, including the new Foster Pavilion garage. Presenting sponsor is Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.

🏘 City of Waco Commits Another $1M to Creekside Village
Waco City Council approved an additional $1 million this week for Mission Waco's Creekside Community Village, the tiny home development on University Parks Drive for people coming out of homelessness. The extra funding covers infrastructure costs that grew beyond the original plan. The city previously committed $1 million in 2023.

Phase one includes 35 homes on a 68-acre site with wraparound services through Mission Waco. First residents are expected to move in within weeks. At full build-out, Creekside will hold around 330 homes, with 15% reserved for veterans. Mission Waco founder Jimmy Dorrell, who just retired on Easter Sunday after 33 years leading Church Under the Bridge, helped bring the original idea forward.

⚽ La Vega Soccer State Champions
La Vega boys soccer brought home a state championship yesterday, beating Lake Dallas in the title game 1-0. State champs. What a run for the Pirates. Congratulations team!!

TONIGHT

🏌️ Mini Golf at the Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo is hosting "Tee Off Fore Conservation" tonight from 6-10 p.m. Eighteen mini-golf holes throughout the zoo, food, drinks, and animal encounters after hours. 18+ only. Caddyshack attire encouraged. Proceeds support the zoo's "10 to Protect" conservation program. Teams of four can sign up at cameronparkzoo.com.

⛳ Speaking of Putting...

It's Masters weekend. I've been watching Augusta all week, and it got me thinking: what if we did a Waco Buzz Putt Putt Championship? Open to kids and adults, winner gets a green jacket (and more), and proceeds go to a great local organization here in town.

📌 Quick Hits

Waco NAACP's "Grow, Move and Thrive" wellness event is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quinn Campus (127 Garrison St). Free lunch, community garden time, dancing, free plants, and a goodie bag.

The HOTAN 5K and Family Fun Walk for families impacted by autism is Saturday at 8 a.m. at Camp Fimfo. Pet-friendly.

The Down 'n Dirty Trail Run (8K and 3K hike) hits Cameron Park on Saturday morning.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

🎤 Brazos Nights kicks off next Friday, April 17 at Indian Spring Park. This year's opener features '90s band Candlebox with Fastball. Gates at 6 p.m., music at 7 p.m. Free.

🎭 John Crist at Waco Hall on April 19.

🎸 Hudson Westbrook with Tyce Delk at Foster Pavilion on April 24.

🍽 Waco Buzz Dinner Club, April 29. Good food, new friends, and the same energy that makes the Buzz what it is, around an actual table. Just locals who love Waco sharing a meal together. Already 50% sold. More details Tuesday. Grab a seat now.

Big thanks to Tex Vet Trees and Landscaping for being our first-ever Dinner Club presenting sponsor. Veteran-owned, 5-star Google reviews, and a 2026 Best of Waco nominee.

🤠 Post Malone and Jelly Roll are bringing The BIG Stadium Tour to McLane Stadium on May 19.

Benji is a 1-year-old Terrier mix, 14 pounds, and built like he could squeeze into any lap in the house without asking. He's at Fuzzy Friends Rescue and ready to meet his people. Stop by this weekend if you've been thinking about adding a four-legged coworker to your remote setup. 👉 Meet Benji here.

Welcome to Open House, where this week's pick is a 1932 Greek Revival in Cameron Park that looks like it belongs on a historic home tour because it probably should.

Open house is Saturday, April 11 from 11 AM to 1 PM.

👉 Take your best guess at the list price, then peek at the photos and answer here.

🎈 Friday, April 10:

Cafe y Pan Dulce Networking @ Cha Community, 1001 Franklin Ave - 9:30 AM

Artist Pop-Ups @ Magnolia Market - 9 AM - 6 PM

Women of Waco Monthly Meeting @ Baylor Club - 11 AM

Garden Fairy House Workshop @ Magnolia Market - 10 AM

Tee Off Fore Conservation @ Cameron Park Zoo - 6 PM - 10 PM

Line Dancing & Lessons @ The Will - 6 PM

Odd Couple: Female Version @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7:30 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Kenneth Elliott as Elvis @ Uncle Dan's BBQ - 6:30 PM
Max, Lynette, Shawna and Steven @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar - 7 PM
aka Bobby @ Common Grounds - 8 PM
Darrell Ray @ The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro - 8 PM
TJ Bell and Another Band of Gypsies @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM
Sami Brown @ The Will - 8 PM
Jo James @ Texas Music Cafe - 8 PM
Braxton Keith @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday, April 11:

Down 'n Dirty Trail Run (8K/3K) @ Cameron Park - Morning

HOTAN 5K & Family Fun Walk @ Camp Fimfo - 8 AM

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Trash Dash & Bash by Keep Waco Beautiful @ Brazos Park East - 9:30 A

Texas Food Truck Showdown @ Heritage Square - 10 AM - 8 PM

Speed Creek Motor Show @ Harris Creek Baptist Church - 10 AM - 2 PM

Mahjong 101 @ Magnolia Market Lawn - 10 AM - 1 PM

Grow, Move & Thrive Wellness Event @ Quinn Campus - 10 AM - 1 PM

#YouCanSitWithUs Girls Empowerment Conference @ Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center - 11 AM - 3 PM

Sic 'Em Science Day @ Mayborn Museum - 11 AM - 3 PM (Chemistry Magic Show at 2 PM)

Women’s Makers Market @ Cha Community - 11 - 3 PM

Mahjong Open Play @ Magnolia Market Church Lawn - 2 PM - 5 PM

Waco Indie Film Discussion: Unbroken with Oscar-nominated sound designer Becky Sullivan @ Texas Music Cafe - 7:30 PM

Odd Couple: Female Version @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2:30 & 7:30 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Hannah Rose @ Magnolia Silos - 10 AM
Molly Chapin @ Magnolia Silos - 1 PM
Alana and the Limited Edition Band @ Marie's Wine Bar - 7 PM
Spirit of Mars @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM
D-Rail Acoustic @ Barnett's Whiskey House - 8 PM
Gordon Collier Band @ The Will - 8 PM
Six Gun Sound @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM

🎈Sunday, April 12:

Cody Ellinger Duo @ The Will - 1 PM - 3 PM

Odd Couple: Female Version @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2:30 PM

💼 Enterprise Sales Executive Waco-based AxisCare helps home care agencies manage everything from scheduling to payroll. They're looking for someone with 4+ years in enterprise software sales Remote or in-office in Waco, competitive base plus commission.

📚 Business Management Teacher — Rapoport Academy Rapoport is hiring a CTE teacher to run their business management and entrepreneurship program. Classes are capped at 17 students, the dress code is jeans-friendly, and they actually mean it when they say they support their teachers.

💼 Product Owner — American Amicable If you're the person at work who translates between the business side and the tech team and somehow keeps everyone sane, American Amicable wants to meet you. Hybrid, great benefits, five years of experience preferred.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all 90 new roles added this week

🪙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.

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I've been working on something new. Starting soon, you'll get The Sunday Sip on Sunday mornings. A slower weekend read with a local restaurant spotlight, the best events to put on your radar for the week ahead, maybe some classifieds, a game, and a Waco history piece that'll make you feel like you've lived here for 100 years even if you just moved in last month. If there is anything you think this edition should include, reply to this email and let me know!

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with your friend who's already mapping out which four food trucks they're hitting tomorrow.

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

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