http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_edu ... 7bab6.htmlAustin Avenue awaits first Baylor game day
Since Sunday is the Middle Day of a Three Day Holiday Weekend Come early park free in Downtown enjoy some libations or have a good supper before the game.
Posted: Sunday, August 24, 2014 12:01 am
By CASSIE L. SMITH
csmith@wacotrib.comNo one really knows what Austin Avenue will look like a week from now on the day of Baylor’s first football game in the new McLane Stadium.
Because the first home game is on a Sunday, downtown business owners have a variety of opinions on whether the first attempt to create excitement downtown will be a success. Several venues are typically closed on Sundays and owners said they don’t plan on opening despite the date of Baylor’s season-opening game.
But preparations have continued in transforming downtown Waco to be a part of the home-game activities. Roads have been repaved, new signs added, live music is scheduled, and vendors are prepared to line Austin Avenue.
Some business owners have no doubt this is what Waco has needed all along.
Klassy Glass Wine Bar owner Valerie Ficke said her business at 723 Austin Ave. plans on having specials and will stay open until 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the crowds.
“We’ll be open for every game. I don’t care when it is,†she said. “We’ve been here for four years and this is what we’ve been waiting for.â€
Earlier this month, several blocks of Austin Avenue were repaved in preparation for the crowds expected during Baylor football game-day parties. The Bears face Southern Methodist University at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 in the $266 million McLane Stadium.
Traffic along Austin Avenue will be blocked off from Fourth to Eighth streets and at the cross streets from Fifth to Eighth streets three hours before the game.
“We don’t really know what to expect for the first game; that’s kind of what our motto is: be as prepared as possible,†said Drew Vincent, with Waco Downtown Development Corp.
Eleven vendors — offering food, popcorn and artisan-based items — have been confirmed to line along Austin Avenue or to set up in the parking lot across from Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits in the 500 block, Vincent said. Vendors will begin setting up about 1 p.m. and will stay downtown until about 7 p.m.
A seating area also will be provided in that parking lot, he said. A band, The Dirty Echoes, is scheduled to play that night, and Omar and the Howlers is already scheduled for the second home game on Sept. 6.
“We’re really hoping the local businesses — as this develops — they get a boost by offering air conditioning and the good food they are going to offer,†he said. “That’s going to be a big thing, I think. Hopefully we get some of those individuals coming back after they had a good time.â€
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:12 pmNot sure I can warrant the effort, then to endure the game itself..
