Calling all Baylor football fans! The anticipated Homecoming game is right around the corner, which means Homecoming festivities are about to be in full swing. To help you prepare, we’re here to teach you about the history of Baylor Homecoming and what Downtown Waco has to offer to make Homecoming even more special. 

Be sure to check out our other blogs for other game day tips! Click on the links below to find out where to find worry-free parking, the cutest green and gold outfits, and some of the best Downtown Waco spots to watch the game if you can’t make it to McLane Stadium! 

Baylor started its yearly Homecoming tradition in 1909 when the university sent postcards to its alumni, inviting them back to campus to reignite their Baylor Spirit. The university kicked off the first-ever Homecoming on November 24, 1909, with a band concert and a reception hosted by Baylor’s President, Samuel Palmer Brooks. The class reunions occurred the following day, which began the beloved tradition – the oldest collegiate Homecoming parade!

Baylor took a few years off from the Homecoming event and began hosting Homecoming again in 1915, and officially made it an annual University event in 1934. Each Homecoming always features the same routine: a morning parade through Downtown Waco and Baylor’s campus, an afternoon football game, and finally, reunion parties! Although times have changed and classes continue to graduate, the traditions of Baylor Homecoming remain the same.

Baylor Homecoming is a day-long event, and you’ll need to start your day off with the most important meal of the day – breakfast. Luckily, Waco has a wide variety of breakfast spots that will give you the energy to start your day right.

If you’re an early bird looking for an early morning meal, Cafe Cappuccino opens at 6 a.m. and will give you an hour to grab a quick pick-me-up before the parade begins. Pick from sixteen different options of omelets, homemade crepes, Belgian waffles the size of plates, and specialty plates only offered at Cafe Cappuccino. Cafe Cappuccino gives you a wide range of choices and is a short walk away from the parade route!

For those who aren’t early birds and prefer a post-parade pre-game brunch, then these are the spots that will hit the spot.

Milo serves an elevated farm-to-table southern food made from scratch from Texas-sourced ingredients of the season. They take traditional recipes and elevate them with bold flavors to give you a twist on your favorite comfort foods. Enjoy chef Corey McEntyre’s elevated brunch menu with mimosa pitchers before the menu switches to their dinner menu with big, bold flavors. If you’re looking for a more authentic Mexican taste, then Hecho en Waco’s brunch menu is just what you’ll need after watching the parade. Their irresistible breakfast tacos filled with fresh ingredients or Mexican-style French toast will satisfy your hunger throughout the game.

When the fourth quarter rolls around, and you’re surrounded by McLane Stadium’s stadium food, you know it’s time to start thinking about where to eat after the game. Baylor’s Homecoming game brings thousands of visitors to Waco, so you’ll want to establish your dinner plans beforehand. Don’t let that add stress to your weekend! We have listed several options for you and your group to enjoy the food that Waco has to offer.

Are you bringing a large group, all with different flavor pallets? Lucky for you, Union Hall is an excellent place to bring your group due to their wide variety of food options. You and your group will have nineteen different vendors, ranging from authentic Vietnamese Pho to fried mac and cheese bowls. If casual dining isn’t what you want, look at Diamonback’s Steakhouse. You’ll enjoy a world-class steak, ocean-fresh seafood, or sushi touched with elegance, all in a dimly lit wooden dining room that’ll give you the ambiance you’re looking for.

Homecoming is filled with excitement and is a great time to reconnect with old friends or make new memories. Head to these Downtown Waco Spots to make your Homecoming festivities even more enjoyable than last year’s!