☕Your Insider Guide to a Jam-Packed Waco Weekend

Good Morning Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like finding a new playlist right when you need it.

This weekend: TSwift’s new album Life of a Showgirl drops. Dog Haus opens downtown. Baylor faces Kansas State Saturday morning at McLane. The IRONMAN 70.3 races through Sunday. Plus, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo kicks off a 12-day run.

Plenty of chances to get out, meet neighbors, and enjoy Waco.

Let’s get to it!
— Sam Harper

Cromwell Commercial Group is Central Texas’ trusted partner for commercial real estate brokerage and property management. With more than 180 years of combined experience, the Cromwell team brings unmatched market insight, strong relationships, and proven results to every deal.

From retail, industrial, and office space to investment properties and land development, Cromwell Commercial Group delivers the strategies and access clients need to succeed. Backed by data, experience, and a commitment to client success, Cromwell is where opportunity meets expertise.

👉 Check out available properties and contact a Cromwell broker today to secure the right property for your business.

🏊‍♀️🚴‍♂️🏃 IRONMAN Weekend: What You Need to Know

The IRONMAN 70.3 Waco is back this weekend with plenty to watch (and a few roads to avoid).

It’s one of Waco’s biggest sports weekends so bring your cheers if you’re spectating, and plan your routes if you’re just trying to get across town.

☕️ Mark Your Calendars: Waco Restaurant Week + Coffee Passport
Waco Restaurant Week is coming Oct. 24–Nov. 1, and it’s shaping up to be a full-on celebration of our city’s food scene with special menus, pop-up events, and creative experiences all while supporting Keep Waco Beautiful.

The team just dropped a Coffee Passport that gets you discounts (and even a free coffee once you’ve hit every stop) at participating coffee shops all month long.

👉 Snag your Coffee Passport here › (instantly delivered to your phone — no app needed)

If you love trying new spots or just want to caffeinate your way through fall — this is the move.

🐶 Dog of the Week: Sperry

Sperry is a 5-year, 2-month-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix with the classic long body, big ears, and a happy little trot that’ll make you smile. At just 18 pounds, he’s the perfect size for couch cuddles but still game for a walk around the block or a trip to the park.

If you’ve been waiting for a low-maintenance, big-hearted buddy with plenty of personality packed into a small frame, Sperry’s your guy. Meet him here.

🍽️Dinner + new friends? We’re making it happen.

It’s official: our tech partner is locked in and we’re ready to give The Waco Buzz Dinner Club a shot.

Here’s the plan — You’ll take a quick quiz, and you’ll be matched with a small group of others from around Waco — whether you’re hoping to network for business, make new friends, or even spark a little love. Then you’ll meet up at one of Waco’s great dinner spots that matches your budget.

If it’s a hit, this could become a regular thing. But for now, we’re keeping it simple and testing it once.

👉 The full invite (with date and sign-up details) will be in next week’s newsletter. Keep an eye out and grab your seat if you want to be part of the very first dinner.

💡 Know of something happening in Waco that feels like a hidden gem? Reply to this newsletter and send it my way, I may end up sharing it with 8,000+ neighbors in a future edition.

Cool mornings, football on TV, and pumpkins popping up on porches means fall in Waco has officially arrived. If you’re ready to load the family in the car (or just want an excuse for a fall photo shoot), here are three local patches worth checking out this October:

Western Belle Farm Pumpkin Festival
Just north of Waco, Western Belle is basically fall paradise. Think pumpkin cannons, hay rides, corn mazes, pig races, slides, and food trucks galore. If you’re looking for an all-day festival with Instagram-worthy backdrops, this is it.
📍 7929 Heritage Pkwy W, Waco | IG: @westernbellefarm

The Robinson Family Farm Fall Festival
A short drive south, this long-time favorite has a huge pumpkin selection plus axe throwing, zip lines, farm animals, pig races, and more than 20 attractions to keep kids busy all day. Come hungry — they’ve got food trucks too.
📍 2651 Wilkes Rd, Temple | IG: @therobinsonfamilyfarm

Central Christian Church Pumpkin Patch
Since 2006, this church on Lake Shore has been the place to snap a photo and grab a pumpkin for a good cause — proceeds support local kids and youth programs.
📍 4901 Lake Shore Dr, Waco | More info ›

🍂 Pro tip: Weekdays are quieter, but if you’re going on a weekend, head out early for the best pumpkin pick.

Today’s Open House takes us to 8416 Spicewood Springs Rd, tucked inside the Preserve at Bosque Bend — a quiet, upscale pocket of Waco with river access and big backyards.

This 2011-built stunner sits on more than half an acre and offers:

📸 Listed by Tricia Griffin of Kelly, REALTORS®

⭐Protect what matters most with Adam Rogers - Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Local, trusted guidance for your home, auto, and family.

🏢Searching for the perfect space? Cromwell Commercial Group helps you find and acquire the right commercial property for your next big move.

🏗️Big build coming up? Arise Construction is Waco’s go-to general contractor who recently completed Uptown Cheapskate at Webster Market.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy.
📍300 S 2nd. St

💪Move pain free and perform better with Waco Body Mend – expert physical therapy, performance training for everyday movers, and home to CrushCycle.
📍116 Mary Ave

Interested in connecting with our audience and supporting the growth of this publication? Reply to this email or fill out this form to get started.

🎈Friday:

Cafe y Pan Dulce @ Luna Clean Food Cafe - 9:30 AM

Guardian Angel Brunch Benefiting Fuzzy Friends with John O’Hurley (J. Peterman from Seinfeld) @ Ridgewood Country Club - 11:30 AM

FREE Lunch from Chefito’s Kitchen @ The Carlson Law Firm - 12 PM

Jeff Dunham @ Foster Pavilion - 7 PM - Tickets

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC

Mark McCallister & Zachary Hill @ Slow Rise on the Brazos - 6 PM
Stan Wilfong @ The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro - 6 PM
Brian Brown @ Lounge ’93 - 7:30 PM
Out Loud @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar - 8 PM
Pat Byrne @ Texas Music Cafe - 8 PM
Touch of Grey @ Barnett’s Whiskey House - 8 PM
Darrell “D-Rail” Ray @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar - 8 PM
Dexter & The Moonrocks @ The Backyard - 8:30 PM

🎈🎈 Saturday:

Running with the Bulls Fun Run 5k @ Extraco Event Center - 8 AM

Hewitt Fire Department Pancake Breakfast @ 100 Patriot Court - 8 AM

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Homestead Weekly Market @ Homestead Heritage - 10 AM

Baylor Bears vs Kansas State @ McLane Stadium - 11 AM Tickets from $11

Locked Zoo: Cryptic Cats @ Cameron Park Zoo - 6 PM Tickets

Improv Comedy @ Brazos Theatre - 7:30 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC

Randy Houser @ HoT Fair - 8 PM
MagicMouth @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM
Callum Kerr @ The Backyard - 8:30 PM

🎈Sunday:

Ironman Race @ Pecan Bottoms - 7:30 AM

Keith Nieto @ HoT Fair - 8 PM

🎾 Pickleball Coach
Waco’s pickleball craze just keeps growing and now there’s a paid way to join the fun. TeachMe.To is looking for coaches to help players level up their game. You’ll set your own schedule and rates, work one-on-one with eager students, and leave the business side (payments, marketing, booking) to them. 👉 Apply here

🎨 Marketing & Communications Specialist @ REFIT® Revolution
If you’re a creative with chops in design, storytelling, and digital strategy — and you want to work for a growing Waco-born fitness + wellness brand — REFIT is hiring. You’ll shape campaigns, design beautiful visuals, and help fuel the brand’s community movement. Full-time, $48K–$58K, with solid perks (think flexible schedule + free studio membership).👉 Apply here

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with your friend who is participating in the IRONMAN this weekend.