local
Holiday weekend events fuel downtown growth in Gatesville
By Paxton Graf at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
The City of Gatesville is building on months of community events aimed at drawing people back to its downtown, with a packed weekend that includes the city's first-ever PickleFest and its first Fourth of July parade in more than a decade.Watch the story here: Holiday Events Fuel Downtown Growth ...
Key takeaway Watch the story here: Holiday Events Fuel Downtown Growth in GatesvilleCity Manager Brad Hunt says the momentum has been building and that downtown remains central to Gatesville's identity and future.
Why this matters in The Waco
The success of Gatesville's downtown events has implications for neighboring communities like Waco , which is also working to revitalize its own city center. As Gatesville's City Manager Brad Hunt notes, a thriving downtown is crucial to a town's identity and economy. Waco can learn from Gatesville's approach, which involves hosting unique and engaging events like PickleFest to draw in crowds and support local businesses. The fact that Gatesville is expecting a large turnout for its inaugural PickleFest, with over 3800 people interested online, suggests that this strategy can be effective. Waco's own downtown area has seen growth in recent years, but it can continue to benefit from innovative events and initiatives that showcase the city's character and charm. By supporting local businesses and hosting community events, Waco can build on its own momentum and create a vibrant downtown area that reflects the city's unique identity.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The City of Gatesville is building on months of community events aimed at drawing people back to its downtown, with a packed weekend that includes the city's first-ever PickleFest and its first Fourth of July parade in more than a decade.Watch the story here: Holiday Events Fuel Downtown Growth ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Paxton Graf at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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