This week on Act Locally Waco, host Ashley Thornton brings us several events for the Labor Day Weekend - like West Fest and the Annual Labor Day Sorghum Festival, as well as the return of Baylor Football and ways to contribute to the community.
Labor Day Weekend:
Friday Aug. 30-Monday September 1: West Fest
A: Labor Day weekend means Westfest! In case you are not familiar, this is a huge annual festival celebrating all things Czech. It takes place right down the road in West, Texas. It kicks off today and runs through Sunday. West fest features all kinds of live music – including, but not limited to all varieties of polka and the beloved chicken dance! There’s also plenty of authentic food and beverages and non-stop family-oriented activities. Check out all the schedules, ticket prices and other details at westfest.com.
Monday, Sept. 2: Annual Labor Day Sorghum Festival (Homestead Heritage)
A: Monday is another annual tradition, the Labor Day Sorghum Festival at Homestead Heritage. This is a free festival celebrating the process of making sweet sorghum syrup. Head out to Homestead Heritage to watch the process and enjoy samples of syrup on some homemade cornbread. The event will also feature horse drawn hayrides, freshly cranked ice cream, handcrafted items, activities for children and special music.
Friday, Aug. 30 - Foster Care Interest Meeting(Arrow Child and Family Ministries)
Besides all the Labor Day celebrations, we have several ways you can contribute to the community this week. If you love children, you might want to consider becoming a foster parent. Arrow Child and Family Ministries invites you to an interest meeting tonight to learn more about that process. There just aren’t enough foster homes for all the kids who are being rescued from abuse and neglect and the folks at Arrow would love to share with you how you can make a huge difference in a young life. The meeting is tonight at 6 PM at the Chik-Fil-A on Franklin.
Saturday, Aug. 31 A Celebration of life event and fundraiser(Cattleya Foundation of Hope)
A: The Cattleya Foundation of Hope is an organization of individuals who have survived cancer and who now devote their time and energy to provide support for people who are undergoing cancer treatments . They are holding their Annual Celebration of Life event and fundraiser tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the Lee Lockwood Museum on Waco Drive. The guest speaker will be Pastor Ruby Minnit. Tickets are $30.
Thursday, Sept. 5 - Seasons of Style(Caritas)
A: The First Ever “Seasons of Style” fashion show presented by Another Season Consignments and Hidden Treasures by Caritas takes place Thursday at The Venue in Woodway. Lunch, shopping and a raffle will begin at 11:15am with the fashion show starting at 12:00. Tickets are $40. Funds will enable the Caritas thrift store to offer clothing and furniture vouchers to those in need as well as support other client services programs. For tickets and more information visit the Caritas Website.
Saturday, Aug. 31: Waco Native American Flute Circle
A: And several more ways to have fun and maybe learn a few things throughout the week. Tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m the Waco Native American Style Flute Circle will be meeting at the Art Forum of Waco. All levels of expertise are welcome, from beginners to advanced. The event is free. An open mic will be available for anyone who wants to bring their Native American or World flute and play for the group. The Art Forum of Waco is located at 1826 Morrow Drive.
Saturday, Aug. 31: Keep Waco Loud’s Stand Up Comedy Battle
Tomorrow evening, enjoy a night of comedy at the Hippodrome. Keep Waco Loud presents a Stand Up Comedy Battle. This free event will feature 8 of Central Texas' funniest comedians, who will battle it out the biggest laughs. The audience decides the winner. The show starts at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 3 & Wednesday, Sept. 4 - InSite Waco Auditions: Shakespeare Studio & The Second Shepherd’s Play
Do you have the urge to perform? If so, local theatre troupe InSite Waco invites you to audition for their upcoming performances. You can read for "Music, Magic, and Murder," the second of their Shakespeare Studio productions, or for their December production of "The Second Shepherds Play" - or for both! Actors of any experience level, ages 15 and up, are invited to audition. Auditions will take place Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 at Cultivate 7Twelve on Austin. Visit Insitewaco.com for more details.
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019: MCC Continuing Education Open House
If you love to learn, I hope you have discovered MCC’s Continuing education department. Each year they offer dozens of classes on every subject from gardening, music and dance, to photography, wines, computers, and fitness, They are holding an open house Tuesday. You are invited to come check out the wide variety of fun and learning opportunities they have to offer. Meet instructors, register for classes, win prizes, and more! This is a free event and all are welcome. Join in the fun from 5 to 6 on Tuesday at the Conference Center at MCC.
Thursday, Sept. 5: Parent Playgroup at South Waco Library
As usual the Waco Mclennan Libraries have all kinds of fun activities going on. This Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 for example, parents of preschool-age kids are invited to South Waco Library to learn some great early literacy skills. It’s a free event that will include songs, puppets and finger plays, plus you'll learn how to take the learning home with you. There will also be time for playing, learning and friendship building. South Waco Library is on South 18th Street. For more details on this and many, many other library events visit the Waco libraries website and click on “Calendar of Events.
