Okay, so we had a question about the WacoWise blog (not really. Reddit, we saw a question about it on Reddit. Shoutout to Our Dude for sending that post to me) and why we haven’t posted On Here in about 16 months. And the only answer I can come up with is: things got a little overwhelming. We here at WWHQ have jobs that didn’t exactly slow down during the pandemic of the last 16-ish months, and so we initially took a whole bunch of steps back from the website before getting back into it. There are some autoimmune issues in our house that, out of an abundance of caution, prevented us from going out and doing the Lovely Visits With series. Here’s what we’ve done since lockdown restrictions were lifted:

-Did a complete site audit - updating hours of service, removing local businesses that closed, adding new ones that opened, updating Happy Hours as best we could, etc.

-Revamped how we add events to the calendar, which is a daily task.

-Focused a little bit more on Instagram.

Now that restrictions are easing and, especially, now that everyone here eligible to be vaccinated is fully vaccinated, we have some cool plans for the Blog section. We’ve lined up some more Lovely Visits With people around town, we’re working through some possible contests and giveaways, and we’re generally planning to just do a better job with this space.

Nothing on this website or social media feed is automated. It just fell by the wayside a little bit, what with [waves hands around head] everything going on. It’s a terrifying feeling to wake up to a text that says, “You guys are on Reddit,” because let’s be honest - that’s rarely a good thing - but it turns out that it wasn’t all bad!

Stay tuned…

March 14, 2020

James Yasko

Coronavirus Update: Waco

March 14, 2020

James Yasko

As the effects of COVID-19 hit the United States, Texas, and Waco, here is a list of area locations that are open/closed/adjusted/etc. This will be updated. Last Update: March 25 - 11:15am.

Updates:

We started a Bear Crawl! Click here to get to the Google Map of over 130 locations around Waco where people have put teddy bears in their front windows for you (and your kids) to find!

Waco & McLennan County are currently under a shelter-in-place order through April 7. Grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants will remain open. Hardware stores and day cares are considered essential businesses and will remain open.

HEB is now open from 8am to 8pm.

All bars, clubs, and gyms are closed until April 3. Restaurants remain open but only as carry out or drive-thru. Indoor seating has been banned.

Waco ISD is offering free breakfast (8-9:30am) and lunch (11am-12:30pm) at these locations.

Midway ISD is offering free breakfast (8-9am) and lunch (11am-12pm) at these locations.

Honky Tonk Kid BBQ is offering free kids’ meals.

Fuzzy’s is letting kids eat free through March 31st. (One meal per kid)

Closed through March 29:

Magnolia Market, Magnolia Table, Magnolia Press, Silos Baking Co., Little Shop on Bosque.

Waco Public Library locations.

Mayborn Museum.

Cameron Park Zoo.

Waco YMCA locations.

Waco Convention Center & Visitors’ Bureau.

City of Waco Community Centers.

City of Waco Senior Centers.

Closed through April 3

By order of Governor Abbott, all school districts are closed at least through April 3.

Closed through April 6:

Martin Museum of Art

Closed Indefinitely:

Freight Bar.

Dr. Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Center.

Cancelled/Postponed:

Silo District Marathon/Half-Marathon

All Hippodrome shows and concerts through the end of April.

Spring at The Silos

Baylor University Theatre performances

Baylor University athletics.

Waco Civic Theatre shows, rehearsals, and auditions.

December 22, 2019

James Yasko

New Year's Eve in Waco!

December 22, 2019

James Yasko

Need New Year’s Eve plans? We have you covered!

Ring in the Roaring 20s: Lakeside Tavern. 3pm.
New Year’s Eve Party: Barnett’s. 4pm.
New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery, Dinner, and Dance: Hilton Waco. 6pm.
New Year’s Eve Comedy Show: Silo District Comedy Club. 6pm.
New Year’s Eve Barkin’ Ball: Waco Convention Center. 6:30pm.
New Year’s Eve Party: Southern Roots Brewing. 7pm.
New Year’s Eve with 35 South Band: Melody Ranch. 7pm.
New Year’s Eve + Preview Party: Kieran-Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery. 8pm.
A Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve: Freight Bar. 8pm.
North of Navasota’s New Year’s Rock Party: Last Chance Bar. 9pm.
New Year’s Eve Party: Hotel Indigo. 9pm.
New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch: Barnett’s. 10am-10pm Jan 1.
Sugar Bowl Watch Party: Baylor Club. 6pm Jan 1.

November 12, 2019

James Yasko

2019 Waco-area Thanksgiving/Christmas Events!

November 12, 2019

James Yasko

Here’s a (routinely-updated list) of Waco-area Thanksgiving/Christmas events for 2019! Email james (at) wacowise (dot) com with updates, or to add your event to this list!

November 30

Christmas in the Country: Lorena Fire Department. 9am-3pm.

Small Business Saturday Holiday Gift Market: White Elephant. 9am-6pm.

Homestead Fair: 9am-9pm.

Coats & Cocoa: Indian Spring Middle School. 2-4pm.

December 2

World’s Largest Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Dichotomy. 5-8pm.

December 3

Lacy-Lakeview Christmas Parade. Connally Multipurpose Building. 6-8:30pm.

December 5

Christmas at the Mayborn: Mayborn Museum. 4:30-7:30pm.

Jingle & Mingle: BoHo Buffalo. 5-7pm.

White Elephant Christmas on 5th Street Pop-Up Shop: Bill Daniel Student Center. 5-10pm.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Class: Mayborn Museum. 5:30pm.

Baylor Bronze Christmas Concert: Baylor School of Music. 5:30-7pm.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Waco Civic Theatre. 7pm.

Highlander Holiday Concert: Ball Performing Arts Center. 7:30-8:30pm.

A Baylor Christmas: Jones Concert Hall. 7:30-9pm.

December 6

Christmas at the Silos: Magnolia Market. 9am-6pm.

Cookies & Cocoa: Linkage Credit Union. 3-6pm.

3rd Annual Sip ‘N Shop: Balcones Distilling. 4-8pm.

Mistletoe Market: Heritage Square. 5-10pm.

2019 Giving Trees Festival: Heritage Square. 5-10pm.

Santa House & HEB Holiday Crafts for Kids. Heritage Square. 5-10pm.

Christmas Light Cruise: Welhous. 5:30-7:30pm.

A Dr. Pepper Christmas: Dr. Pepper Museum. 6:30-9:30pm.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Waco Civic Theatre. 7pm.

Waco Wonderland Tree Lighting & Fireworks: Heritage Square. 7pm.

Fa La La La Divas 2019: Brazos Theatre. 7-10pm.

Waco Family & Faith Film Festival Holiday Party: Z’s at The Curry. 7:30-9pm.

A Baylor Christmas: Jones Concert Hall. 7:30-9pm.

December 7

Communities In Schools Wonderland Fun Run. 3rd & Austin. 8am.

Christmas at the Silos: Magnolia Market. 9am-6pm.

Waco Wonderland Downtown Parade: Austin Avenue between 3rd & 11th Streets. 10-11am.

Mistletoe Market: Heritage Square. 10am-10pm.

Santa House & HEB Holiday Crafts for Kids. Heritage Square. 10am-10pm.

2019 Giving Trees Festival: Heritage Square. 10am-10pm.

3rd Annual Sip ‘N Shop: Balcones Distilling. 1-8pm.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Waco Civic Theatre. 2pm/7pm.

Waco Wonderland Snow Tube Hill: Heritage Square. 3-10pm.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Hewitt Park. 5-7pm.

Claus For A Cause: Freight Bar. 7pm-2am.

Wynonna & The Big Roots Rockin’ Christmas: The Hippodrome. 7-10pm.

A Rat Pack Christmas: Backyard Saloon. 7:30pm.

December 8

Sensory-Friendly Event with Santa: Richland Mall. 9-11am.

2019 Giving Trees Festival: Heritage Square. 12-5pm.

Mistletoe Market: Heritage Square. 12-5pm.

Santa House & HEB Holiday Crafts for Kids. Heritage Square. 12-6pm.

Waco Wonderland Snow Tube Hill: Heritage Square. 12-6pm.

Waco Wonderland Petting Zoo: Heritage Square. 1-5pm.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Waco Civic Theatre. 2pm.

A Baylor Christmas: Jones Concert Hall. 3-4:30pm.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Class: The Hippodrome. 3-5pm.

2nd Annual Back Porch Christmas Special: The Backyard. 6pm.

December 9

Sensory-Friendly Santa: Elite Therapy Center. 9-10am.

Holiday Prime Rib Beer Dinner: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. 7pm.

Christmas Jazz Concert: Ball Performing Arts Center. 7:30pm.

Chamber Singers Christmas Concert: Armstrong Browning Library. 7:30pm.

December 10

Holiday Movie Trivia Workshop: Board & Brush. 6-9pm.

Chamber Singers Christmas Concert: Armstrong Browning Library. 7:30pm.

Waco Community Band Holiday Celebration: Ball Performing Arts Center. 7:30pm.

December 11

Artists Holiday Happy Hour: Cultivate 7Twelve. 5:30-7:30pm.

December 12

Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas. The Hippodrome. 7pm.

The Most Wonderful Show of the Year: Waco Civic Theatre. 7:30pm.

December 13

Christmas at The Silos: Magnolia. 9am-6pm.

Santa at the Station: Waco Transit System. 1-5pm.

Downtown Waco Cocoa Crawl: Downtown. 5-7pm.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

Christmas on the Brazos Candlelight Tour: Historic Waco Foundation. 6-9pm.

Annual Christmas Radio Show: Brazos Theatre. 6:30pm.

The Most Wonderful Show of the Year: Waco Civic Theatre. 7:30pm.

December 14

Christmas at The Silos: Magnolia. 9am-6pm.

Breakfast With Santa: East Terrace House. 9am.

Christmas Pop-Up Saturday: Dr. Pepper Museum. 10am-1pm.

Sensory Santa Event: Central Christian Church. 2-5pm.

Christmas with the Critters: Cameron Park Zoo. 2-5pm.

A Special Starry Night: South Waco Rec Center. 5:30-8:30pm.

Christmas Parade & Cookies with Santa: McGregor. 6pm.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

Annual Christmas Radio Show: Brazos Theatre. 6:30pm.

The Most Wonderful Show of the Year: Waco Civic Theatre. 7:30pm.

December 15

The Nutcracker: Waco Hall. 2pm.

The Most Wonderful Show of the Year: Waco Civic Theatre. 2:30pm.

An Enchanted Evening with Tuba Christmas: St. Francis on the Brazos. 5-6:30pm.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

December 16

Sensory-Friendly Santa: Elite Therapy Center. 9-10am.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

December 17

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

Community Christmas Celebration: CenTex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 6-8pm.

December 18

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

December 19

Gifts Under The Tree: Methodist Children’s Home. 9-11am.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

The Gimbles Family Christmas: The Hippodrome. 7pm.

December 20

4th Annual Feast in the East: City of Waco Multi-Purpose Building. 2-6pm.

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

William Lee Martin’s Christmas Comedy Spectacular: The Hippodrome. 7pm.

December 21

Christmas Lights in the Village: Mayborn Museum. 6-8pm.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Workshop: Board & Brush. 6-9pm.

Dueling Pianos Holiday Classics: The Hippodrome. 6:30-9:30pm.

October 4, 2019

James Yasko

2019 Waco-area Halloween Events!

October 4, 2019

James Yasko

We put together a little (often-updated) list of pumpkin patches, spooktaculars, trunks or treats, and fall festivals for your reading and planning pleasure! This will be updated often!

All Month:

Central Christian Church Pumpkin Patch. 10am-dark.

The Pumpkin Patch (201 Old Robinson Road). Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm.

October 12:

Spooky Soda Science - Dr. Pepper Museum. 11am-2pm.

Family Fall Festival - First Assembly of God. 2pm-5pm.

October 19:

Oakwood Cemetery’s Walking Tales - Oakwood Cemetery. 10am-1pm.

Movie in the Patch: The Pumpkin Patch (Robinson). 7:30pm-9:30pm.

October 20:

Children’s Garden Fair - Carleen Bright Arboretum. 2pm-5pm.

October 24:

Halloween Festival - Dewey Community Center. 6pm-7:30pm.

October 25:

Fall Carnival - Southern Careers Institute. 4pm-8pm.

Trunk or Treat - Woodland Springs Nursing Center. 5pm-7pm.

Fall Festival - Waco Charter School. 5:30pm-7pm.

Harvest Festival - Greater Waco Baptist Church. 6pm-9pm.

Picnic & Movie Night in the Patch - Central Christian Church. 6:30pm-9:30pm.

Scared Sober Haunted House - 708 North 15th Street. 7pm-10pm.

October 26:

Halloween Spooktacular - Little Land Play Gym. 9am-1pm.

Pumpkin Carving - Downtown Farmers Market. 9am-1pm.

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

Halloween “Not So Scary” Story Time & Craft - Fabled Bookshop. 11am-12pm.

Trick or Trunk: Party Yard. 2pm-6pm.

Fright Nite at the Rite - Lee Lockwood Library & Museum. 4pm-11pm.

Community Trunk of Treat - CenTex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 5pm-7pm.

McLane Stadium Spooktacular - McLane Stadium (duh). 5pm-7pm.

Halloween Bike Bash - Harley-Davidson of Waco. 6pm-9pm.

Scared Sober Haunted House - 708 North 15th Street. 7pm-10pm.

Keep Waco Loud Halloween Mash & Bash - Lakeside Tavern. 7pm-2am.

Mayfield’s Mayhem - Downtown West. Dark.

Sitting Up With the Dead - McCulloch House. 8pm-11pm.

Halloween Party - Putters. 9pm-2am.

October 27:

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

Boo Fest - The Backyard. 1pm.

Fall Festival - Family Worship Center. 3pm-5pm.

Sensory-Friendly Trunk or Treat - Elite Therapy Center. 4pm-5pm.

Trunk or Treat - Crestview Church of Christ. 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Trunk or Treat - Central Presbyterian Church. 6pm-7:30pm.

Fright Nite at The Rite - Lee Lockwood Library & Museum. 6pm-10pm.

October 28:

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

October 29:

Halloween “Not So Scary” Story Time & Craft - Fabled Bookshop. 10:30am-11:30am.

Trunk or Treat - Weichert Realtors. 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Trunk or Treat - Hooters. 5pm-7pm.

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

October 30:

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

Trunk or Treat Open House - Boys & Girls Clubs of Waco. 5pm-7pm.

Pumpkin Patch Party - First Baptist Church Waco. 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Fall Festival - Brazos Meadows Baptist Church. 6pm-7pm.

Trunk or Treat - Hewitt Community Church. 6pm-7:30pm.

Trunk of Treat- Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. 6pm-8pm.

Pumpalooza - Lake Shore Baptist Church. 6:15pm-7:30pm.

Scared Sober Haunted House - 708 North 15th Street. 7pm-10pm.

October 31:

Kids in costume eat free - McAlister’s Deli.

Halloween Extravaganza - Care Net Waco. 10am-12:30pm.

Treats for the Sweets - Waco Association of Realtors. 4pm-6pm.

Trunk or Treat - MCC The Highlands Gym. 4:30pm-6pm.

Halloween Costume Contest - Allen Samuels Dodge. 5pm-8pm.

Indoor Trick or Treat - Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. 5pm-8pm.

Trunk or Treat - Bledsoe-Miller Community Center. 6pm-7:30pm.

Halloween Spooktacular - The Spa at Highlands. 6pm-7:30pm.

Hewitt Spooktacular - Warren Park. 6pm-8pm.

Trunk or Treat - The Pumpkin Patch (Robinson). 6pm-8pm.

Bosque Fall Bash - Western Heights Baptist Church. 6pm-8pm.

Trunk or Treat - Skate Country (Bellmead). 6pm-8pm.

Cameron Park Zoo Boo - Cameron Park Zoo. 6pm-8pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

Fall Block Party - River City Church. 6pm-8:30pm.

Halloween at the Fire Station - Robinson Volunteer Fire Department. 6pm-9pm.

Scared Sober Haunted House - 708 North 15th Street. 7pm-10pm.

Mayfield’s Mayhem - Downtown West. Dark.

Scary-oke Halloween - Truelove. 9pm-12am.

November 1:

Scared Sober Haunted House - 708 North 15th Street. 7pm-10pm.

Halloween Organ Concert - Jones Concert Hall. 7:30-9pm. Free.

July 12, 2019

James Yasko

Upcoming Waco Festivals!

July 12, 2019

James Yasko

Our Events Calendar is stacked. I mean, Kate Upton-esque. Obviously there are some bigger-ticket events that can get lost if you’re scrolling through, so here is a handy guide to the upcoming festivals in the Waco area. Know of something we missed? As always, email James@wacowise.com for updates (on festivals, or to add your events for the calendar). We’re doing our best to serve you!

Waco Oktoberfest: Saturday, September 21. Indian Spring Park. 10am-10pm. $10-$30. Tickets can be purchased here.

20th Annual Wine & Food Festival: Saturday, September 21. McLane Stadium. 6pm-10pm. Tickets can be purchased here. .

Heart o’ Texas Fair & Rodeo: October 3-13. Tickets can be purchased here.

Dogtoberfest 2019: Saturday, October 5. The Hippodrome. 12pm-5pm.

OUT on the Brazos: Saturday, October 12. Brazos Park East. 11am-5pm.

Silobration: Thursday, October 17-Saturday, October 19. Magnolia Market. Further info can be found here.

Brew at the Zoo: Saturday, October 19. Cameron Park Zoo. 6pm-11pm. Info and tickets can be found here.

June 18, 2019

James Yasko

A Lovely Visit with...Zane Williams

June 18, 2019

James Yasko

Texas Country Singer-Songwriter Zane Williams has been at it for almost 20 years, and you can tell. We had the pleasure of seeing him a few years back when there was this thing called Wild West and, man, Zane can put on a show.

It makes sense, when you’ve been hitting the road for as long as he has, playing 120-150 shows per year. We’ve seen him a few times, dating all the way back to the time we overlapped at Abilene Christian University and saw him playing in the basement of the Student Center. The one thing I’ve always thought as I was going home is, “That show was authentic.”

Ultimately, that’s what Zane is striving for. His slogan is “Bringin’ Country Back,” and thinks of country music as “Poetry for the common man.” With songs like “Little Too Late,” “Ride With Me,” “Jayton and Jill,” “Hands of a Working Man,” and - my favorite Zane Williams song - “99 Bottles,” Zane is an honest musician making honest music.

“My senior year at ACU,” Zane told me on the phone as he was driving back to Texas from a family vacation before this tour starts, “I took a class, really I was just looking for an easy A, called Life Learning Skills. It helped me set goals, find a passion, and that’s where I realized that I could give songwriting a shot.” That class paid off.

Zane’s song “Hope is a Flame” won the Best Song in the Country genre in the 2007 John Lennon Songwriting Contest and his “Hurry Home” won the $20,000 Maxwell Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, which was later covered and released as a single by John Michael Carroll. He has played the Grand Ole Opry, opened for Aaron Watson, shared a stage with George Jones and Alan Jackson, and Pat Green has recorded one of his songs.

And he’s looking forward to playing The Backyard in Waco on Friday (June 21)! “We’ve played Waco maybe ten times,” he said, “And it’s one of our better markets. So far, so good.” Trust us - as we have never lied to you, dear reader - you won’t want to miss this show. I asked Zane what he wanted people to know when deciding to buy tickets, “This show is for lovers of down-home, authentic country music.”

Zane has a new album out, “The Oak Tree and the Weed,” featuring 15 original songs recorded live as an acoustic trio. If you’re into authenticity, you’ll enjoy your evening with Zane.

Zane Williams plays The Backyard on Friday, June 21. Tickets are $12-$17 and can be purchased here. Doors open at 6pm.