Long before Waco became a city on the map, its land was home to the Wichita tribe — a history often left untold in Texas classrooms and public life.

The event benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and combines pancakes with cornhole to entertain the attendees, according to Ringgold, Ga., senior and Tri Delt president, Savannah Friant.

Baylor hosted its first TEDxBaylor event this weekend, bringing together professors, students and community members for a day focused on sharing stories and ideas that inspire change at the Hurd Welcome Center.

The sound of cheers and the thud of footballs echoed through Touchdown Alley Sunday afternoon as Baylor University students, veterans and community members gathered for Battle of the Branches, a Veterans Day celebration hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project.

Chi Omega and Alpha Tau Omega are pairing once again to bring the heat to Baylor’s campus with their Chili Cook-off and Bed Races (CCOBR). The event will kick off on Friday from 6-9 p.m., on the Quadrangle and 5th St.

The Waco Suspension Bridge glowed Thursday night as hundreds of luminaries lined its walkway — each one representing a name, a memory and a story.

The festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on Saturday at Indian Spring Park. This year’s event will debut a bright, multicolored “alebrije” theme, said Julie Cervantes, Parade Director for Dia de los Muertos and Director of Strategic Development at Creative Waco. Cervantes said she expects attendees to go all out with the theme through their costumes and parade floats this year.

Joanna Gaines’ signature design style met a childhood icon this weekend, as her new Barbie Doll and Hearth & Hand Townhouse debuted in-person for the first time at Silobration — Magnolia’s 10th annual celebration in downtown Waco.

Phi Gamma Delta’s FIJI Fright Night haunted house took place Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 22–24, on Fountain Mall. This year, FIJI paired with Zeta Tau Alpha and the Baylor Activities Council to bring the biggest scares to Baylor’s campus yet.

Held four times each semester, the event is designed to help graduate students carve out focused writing time alongside their peers. The first 20 attendees received a free drink and no RSVP was required.

Fountain Mall was lined with tents Wednesday, each bearing baskets of fresh produce. Even a live DJ was present as Baylor students and Waco locals stopped by the Free Farmers Market, open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Beyond Us Missions Conference, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, was a partnership of Mission Waco, local churches, global leaders and the Baylor community. The group was brought together for three days of connection, worship and personal reflection.

Zeta Tau Alpha put on its annual Big Man on Campus event Wednesday night at Waco Hall. Southampton, N.Y., sophomore and Pi Kappa Phi member Enzo Barranca took home the night’s winning title.

Dressed in a black suit coat and a brand-new Baylor shirt purchased at the bookstore earlier in the day, Baylor alumnus Jeff Dunham delivered a personalized homage to his time at the university in his first performance on campus in almost 40 years, Friday night at Foster Pavilion.

Sunlight glistened through the stained-glass windows and bathed the Armstrong Browning Library in color as students, faculty and benefactors filled the Treasure Room Thursday afternoon to honor those who help preserve its stories and artwork.

Alpha Chi Omega hosted their annual Block Party event on Thursday on Fountain Mall with Sigma Chi, the first time these groups have paired for this event.

While the rodeo events and live music performances won’t begin until Friday, the grounds were for attendees to enjoy food trucks, local vendors, carnival rides, a petting zoo and even mutton busting.

Historically, the Robinson Family Farm is a perhaps best known for the autumn activities it hosts, and this year is no exception. The farm south of Waco has a pumpkin patch, a plethora of food and even helicopter rides. The farm’s fall festival started today and will run until Oct. 26.

This week’s event, “Patch in the Patch,” runs from 8-11 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room and will offer students a chance to decorate tote bags and create custom patches.

Family, food and dancing — three cornerstones of Hispanic culture — will fill Fountain Mall from 6-9 p.m. on Friday for the Hispanic Student Association’s (HSA) annual campus-wide event, Fiesta. As far as HSA president and Fort Worth senior Daniela Lopez is concerned, this is the first time in the group’s history that the event will be held during the fall semester.

With tradition, community and spectacle woven together, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo remains one of Waco’s biggest fall attractions. Whether it’s the thrill of bull riding, the rhythm of live music or the comfort of fair food, the event continues to draw crowds — and students — year after year.

A free concert is in order ahead of the football game on Saturday against Arizona State, featuring alumni and Texas locals, the Graham St. Clair Band.

Original songs, dance routines, beat boxing and a rap about Queen Elizabeth lit up Waco Hall Friday night as students and alumni came together to celebrate creativity during Family Weekend. The show featured a range of performances that highlighted the depth of artistry across campus.

Attendees stood with arms raised in worship as Daigle sang hits throughout the night, such as “Look Up Child,” “Trust In You,” “Rescue” and her new single, “Let It Be a Hallelujah.” In between songs, she interacted with the crowd by signing a poster, shouting out a fan who brought her Super Bowl jersey and listening to the worship as she let the voices in the crowd cry out during choruses.

From barbecue and tacos to gourmet boba and sweet treats, the showcase gave students a chance to explore the city’s food scene without leaving campus.

Woofstock, Alpha Phi’s biggest philanthropy event of the year, supported women’s heart health with a cutest dog contest surrounded by food trucks, a bouncy castle and plenty of photo ops. The event was held Wednesday evening at Bear Park.

This longstanding Baylor tradition premieres university talent across students and faculty alike. From solo performances to organized dances and comedic acts, this show invites talent of all kinds to take center stage.

Show your family the very best of Baylor and Waco this weekend with this list, overflowing with fun events to attend!

Up and down the brick sidewalk, performative male students strutted their stuff for the crowd of over 100 students, bearing wired headphones on their heads, carabiners clipped onto the loops of their baggy jeans and guitars and tote bags slung over their shoulders.

For nearly 50 years, WestFest has brought families together over Labor Day weekend with polka music, homemade Czech food, carnival rides and a celebration of tradition that keeps the small town’s heritage alive.