In an age where the rush of daily news often overshadows the deeper narratives that shape our community, My Jarrell Monthly constantly strives to be an eager beacon of positivity and unity. Far more than just a lifestyle magazine, our publishers and staff are committed to creating a means of getting to know what makes our community thrive: its people and their impact. Since its inception in 2021, My Jarrell Monthly:
Has grown with the community – we originally mailed to 4,200 homes and businesses in 76537 and now mail to over 9,600 homes and businesses monthly.
Works closely with Jarrell Independent School District, the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce, Sonterra MUD, Jarrell Economic Development Corporation, Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, and the City of Jarrell.
Is a local business, located in Jarrell, that employs local people.
Has, to date, mailed close to 400,000 magazines within the 76537 area.
But we are also good at doing what we do — showcasing prominent community agencies and initiatives like the Jarrell Education Foundation, Jarrell Community Library, Jarrell ISD students, FFA, 4-H, and many more on our covers and in multipage features. These not only celebrate their contributions but also inspire readers to personally engage and participate in the missions of these community pillars.
PUBLISHERS
Cathy Payne • Mike Payne
COMMUNITY EDITOR Camy Reynolds
COMMUNITY LIAISON Janet Hage
SENIOR WRITER / COPY EDITOR Ann Marie Kennon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda A. Thornton
GRAPHICS
Ann Marie Kennon • Sandra Evans • Marilee Goldoni
CONSULTANT W. Ben Daniel
DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Jesse Payne
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MARCH FEATURES
by Ann Marie Kennon
Rooted in Care
Jarrell is growing fast. New neighborhoods, families settling in, and daily life moving at a quicker pace. But growth only works well when the essentials grow alongside it.
That’s why the Brookshire Brothers-operated pharmacy inside the Jarrell grocery store represents more than a new sign over the counter. It’s an investment in the town’s future.
“Jarrell is one of the fastest-growing communities in Central Texas,” says Laura Edmundson, vice president of Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy. “Bringing a Brookshire Brothers–owned pharmacy into the store reflects both our confidence in that growth and our commitment to supporting it.”
Brookshire Brothers has operated community pharmacies for nearly 40 years, serving patients in 71 locations across Texas and Louisiana. Pharmacy isn’t an add-on, it is a core part of who they are.
“We understand the complexities of community pharmacy,” Laura explains. “And we know how to scale responsibly as communities expand.” That experience brings established systems and strong operational support to Jarrell, while keeping the personal touch families expect.
One of the most noticeable additions is the brand-new drive-thru window.
BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS PHARMACY GROWS WITH JARRELL
“As the population grows, working families need flexible options,” Laura says. “The drive-thru allows patients to pick up prescriptions quickly and safely without disrupting their day.”
In a town filled with busy parents, long commutes, and packed schedules, that small feature makes a big difference. Families can pick up prescriptions without unloading children from car seats. Workers can swing by between appointments, and seniors can access medications safely and comfortably.
Inside, the pharmacy team focuses on more than filling prescriptions
New Pharmacy Services
� OPEN Mon-Fri 8:30a-6p, Sat 9a-1p, Closed Sunday
� 512-746-6132
� Drive-thru Window for Convenient Pickup
� Refills by Phone, Mobile App, or Website
� Friendly, Local Pharmacists
� Accepts all major medical insurance and
accrately. They are building relationships. “We build trust through consistency and personal connection,” Laura says. “Our pharmacists take time to listen, explain medications clearly, and make sure every patient feels comfortable asking questions.”
Customers can request refills and receive notifications through the Brookshire Brothers website or mobile app, while still having the option of calling or speaking directly with a pharmacist in person. The goal is simple: meet patients where they are.
Being part of a larger grocery and pharmacy network strengthens reliability. The Jarrell location is supported by established processes, ongoing training, and technology investments that promote safe, consistent care.
“It allows us to combine local service with strong operational support,” Laura says. “The broader network provides stability and resources that help us deliver high-quality care every day.”
In a community expanding as quickly as Jarrell, dependable healthcare access matters. A strong pharmacy means families don’t have to leave town for essential services. It provides continuity of care and a trusted healthcare touchpoint close to home.
For Laura and her team, success won’t be measured only in prescription counts.
“ Success means families choosing us because they trust us,” she says. “It means becoming part of the daily rhythm of the community.”
And in Jarrell, that kind of rooted, relationship-centered care still matters.
Little Steps Daycare
Where Faith, Learning, and Little Feet Grow
Together
In a world where families are busier than ever, finding a daycare that feels like an extension of home can be a challenge. That’s where Little Steps Daycare stands apart. Located inside Little Steps Church, this local childcare program blends trusted early childhood education with a nurturing, faith-based environment that helps children grow socially, academically, and spiritually.
Today, that mission carries renewed energy under new ownership. William Hernandez recently purchased Little Steps with what he describes as a deep sense of calling. “We believe God has something special for this city,” he says. “We asked Him for the privilege to be part of it, and He gave us Jarrell’s children.”
From the moment you walk through the doors, the atmosphere feels intentional. Classrooms are bright and welcoming. Teachers greet children by name. Artwork—tiny handprints, watercolor crosses, alphabet practice sheets—represents milestones in development. William was careful to preserve that spirit. One of the things that stood out to him when he first visited was “the freedom of creativity and deep connection of the current teachers with the children.”
Rather than impose a completely new agenda, he chose to build on what was already working.
A Foundation That Goes Beyond ABCs
At Little Steps, early education is about more than letters and numbers. While children learn phonics, writing skills, early math concepts, and pattern recognition, the program is equally focused on character formation and emotional growth.
For William, child development is holistic. “It means they are growing in cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual habits and skills,” he explains.
That philosophy shapes the daily rhythm of the classroom.
Teachers help children learn how to manage their emotions, take turns, and work as a team. Through games and group activities, students practice empathy and solidarity. Role-playing centers—such as pretending to buy groceries or care for a baby—teach practical life skills while reinforcing social awareness.
Faith is woven into that framework in age-appropriate ways. Each month includes a dedicated week of spiritual learning with Bible stories, worship music, and devotional time.
The emphasis is not forced religiosity, but modeling love, compassion, and belief in God as a foundational value.
A Community, Not Just a Classroom
Safe, Structured, and Supportive
For working parents, trust is everything. Little Steps maintains an average ratio of five to seven children per teacher, allowing for close supervision and meaningful connection.
All teachers are licensed in Early Childhood education, certified in CPR, and background checked.
Since taking ownership, William has prioritized steady improvements to the facility. Every Saturday, he and his team have been repairing, deep cleaning, reorganizing classrooms, and adding new learning centers, shelves, carpets, and toys.
The changes are incremental but intentional.
Equally important has been strengthening communication and trust among staff and families. William describes his leadership style simply: “I am just trying to be like Jesus. A servant of all.”
Rather than control through imposition, he prefers invitation—encouraging teachers into growth and teamwork. Plans for monthly staff training are already in motion to elevate both classroom excellence and parent experience.
Preparing Children for What’s Next
One of the greatest gifts a child development program can provide is readiness—academic, social, and emotional readiness for kindergarten and beyond.
At Little Steps, teachers observe developmental patterns and independence, using lesson plans that address language and literacy, cognitive development, gross motor skills, adaptive skills, and social-emotional growth.
Assessments are being implemented to better tailor instruction to individual needs, and teachers maintain direct communication with parents to ensure continuity between home and classroom.
Children leave not only recognizing letters and numbers, but understanding how to regulate emotions, share with classmates, and engage confidently in group settings. William believes this is foundational: “The child’s brain is in constant absorption. It is the time for them to know they have purpose in this life.”
Though William currently lives in Round Rock, his heart is firmly set on Jarrell. “I believe in God’s purpose for this city,” he says, describing Jarrell as a place where something meaningful can grow from small beginnings.
His long-term vision is for Little Steps to become a trusted voice in the community—known for love of children, excellence to parents, and care for teachers.
He sees the program as more than a business. “More than a job,” he says, “but an example and a voice.”
That perspective shows up in small moments. Though administration keeps him busy, William occasionally joins the children on the playground. “They yell, ‘Mr. William!’ and run to hug me,” he shares.
Watching their personalities develop, he says, reminds him why the renewal matters.
Taking the First Step
Choosing childcare is one of the most important decisions a family makes. For parents of 3- to 5-year-olds in Jarrell, Little Steps Daycare offers a renewed commitment to holistic development—intellectual growth without creating “robots,” business professionalism without losing warmth, and faith-based values anchored in service.
Under William William’s leadership, Little Steps is stepping into a new season—preserving what works, strengthening what can improve, and investing deeply in the children who represent Jarrell’s future.
For families seeking a child development program that is structured yet personal, academically intentional yet spiritually grounded, Little Steps may be exactly the place where those first big steps begin.
Little Steps Pre-K 301 W Avenue H
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Rooted in Community Service
JARRELL PD WELCOMES NEW POLICE CHIEF JIM MCLEAN
worn in right before Christmas as Jarrell’s new police chief, Jim McLean brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience shaped by a family tradition of public service. “My parents and grandparents instilled in both my brother and me a community service mindset, whether it was doing volunteer work or mission trips with my church in high school,” Chief McLean says.
That deeply rooted commitment to service propelled him and his family into generations of law enforcement. His great-grandfather was a deputy sheriff, and his father served as a constable in Llano County before becoming a state trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety. His brother is a constable in Llano County. Chief McLean’s wife, Evelyn, whom he met while both were attending the Travis County Sheriff’s Academy, rose to the rank of captain in the
Georgetown Police Department and she now serves as Williamson County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace.
The couple have lived in Jarrell for the last 21 years on a farm east of I-35, watching the city grow from a quiet small town into a rapidly growing area. Chief McLean began his career in 1992 with the Hutto Police Department before moving to the Pflugerville Police Department
when it was a small, fast-growing city much like Jarrell is today. There, he rose through the ranks—patrol officer, K-9 handler, field training officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief— gaining firsthand experience in how leadership, preparation and steady growth shape a department over time.
Even after retiring in 2017, Chief McLean wasn’t ready to hang up his badge. He continued serving with the Wilco Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and remained active in countywide initiatives and legislative efforts.
His new role, Chief McLean says, will be his last law enforcement position before he officially retires. “I want to make this agency as good as I can possibly make it so when I do retire and my family is still here, Jarrell will be an even greater place to live.”
Charlotte Kovalchuk • photo courtesy City of Jarrell
BUILDING A SAFER, CONNECTED JARRELL
One of Chief McLean’s top priorities is pursuing accreditation through the Texas Police Chiefs Association, a rigorous process that sets police department standards for policies, training, transparency, and emergency readiness. “Achieving that designation is a benchmark that shows our commitment to being accountable, transparent, and fully prepared to serve the citizens of Jarrell.”
In his first few weeks on the job, Chief McLean met with school officials, the fire department, the Chamber of Commerce, and neighboring law enforcement agencies to reopen communication and collaboration across the community. He also plans to launch a Citizens Police Academy and a youth cadet program in partnership with local schools, giving residents and students a firsthand look at how the department operates. “We want to make sure residents know this is their police department. Our goal is to hold ourselves to the highest standard, stay ahead of growth and challenges, and make sure every citizen knows they can rely on us.”
Judge Evelyn McLean shared the honor of swearing in her husband as Chief with their grandson.
Tools for Tomorrow
NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FUTURES IN THE TRADES
After a total of 26 years as an ag science teacher at Killeen ISD and now Jarrell High School, Wes McCarley has watched many college-bound students earn scholarships for academics, athletics, and extracurricular achievements.
But year after year, he noticed another group stepping into adulthood without the same financial boost: students heading straight into the workforce.
“I see a lot of kids get scholarships for athletics, grades—all kinds of stuff,” McCarley said. “But there are other kids who go straight to work after graduation. I thought, who’s helping those kiddos?”
That question led to the creation of the Wes McCarley Schools or Tools Foundation, a newly established 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting graduating seniors pursuing blue-collar trades. The foundation will award $1,000 scholarships that can be used to purchase essential tools, pay for industry certifi-
cations, or help cover tuition at trade schools and vocational training centers. “These kids don’t need tools in a metaphorical sense,” McCarley said. “They need tools in their toolbox to go to work.”
CHAMPIONING TRADE-BOUND SENIORS
The grassroots idea had been on his heart for years, but over the last year and a half, it began to take shape. With encouragement from fellow educators—several of whom now serve on the foundation’s board—McCarley moved forward with his goal to aid students entering skilled trades. The Joe Kott American Legion Post 317 of Jarrell contributed $2,500 in seed funding, covering initial paperwork, filing fees, and startup costs such as a dedicated computer and phone line. “I wanted it to be its own entity,” he explained. “Not my personal phone, not a school computer. I want this to last longer than I’m around.”
The foundation has also launched a GoFundMe campaign and is currently seeking additional funds to fully endow the scholarship. $25,000, Wes says, would allow the organization to sustainably award $1,000 annually in perpetuity. Scan the code to contribute to the fund.
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on work ethic, school attendance, and a submitted essay and video explaining why they deserve the award, how they’ve prepared for their chosen trade, and how they would use the funds. Eligible career paths include welding, carpentry, electrical work, mechanics, construction and other skilled trades.
For now, the scholarship is open exclusively to graduating seniors at Jarrell High School, but McCarley hopes to expand it across Williamson County, adjacent counties, and eventually across the state as additional endowments are secured.
His goal is simple: to ensure students entering the trades feel seen, valued, and supported. “These careers are vital,” he said. “We need these young people. This is one small way to help them get started.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To learn more and to help launch Wes McCarley Schools or Tools Foundation, contact Wes at schoolortoolsfoundation@ gmail.com or 737-403-5510.
A new security camera system aimed at increasing safety and assisting with criminal investigations has been installed at the entrances of Sonterra West neighborhoods and the Condo Association.
Tby Charlotte Kovalchuk
he cameras are part of a license plate reader system developed by Flock Safety, a Georgia-based safety technology company designed to help communities with security and crime prevention. Unlike traditional security cameras that record video footage, Flock’s devices are designed to capture vehicle-specific details, including license plate number, make, color, state of registration, and a timestamp, then convert that information into searchable data. The system can also send real-time alerts if it detects an association with a stolen car report, missing person alert, or criminal investigation.
According to minutes from a Sonterra West HOA meeting October 29, Flock Safety cameras were slated for installation at every entrance to Sonterra West and the Condo Association, to be completed in January 2026. Amanda Stone, Sonterra West HOA manager, declined to provide details on the number of cameras, their specific locations, or overall cost. “As this matter is still being reviewed and coordinated with the appropriate parties, we want to ensure any information shared publicly is complete, accurate, and properly vetted,” she said in an emailed statement.
WHAT ARE THEY?
WANT TO DIG DEEPER OR SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE ISSUE?
See page 17 for contact information and details on how to suggest a topic for an upcoming "Here’s the Real Deal?" feature.
to access data from participating camera owners for criminal investigations. Deputy Sean Feldmann said deputies began accessing camera data in the Sonterra area late last summer. 76537 Life reached out to Deputy Feldmann, Sonterra West HOA, and Flock Safety, but was not able to confirm that Sonterra West HOA contracts with Flock Safety and maintains ownership of the data collected from the cameras.
Flock cameras are solar-powered devices with cloudbased software operating under an annual subscription model that includes hardware, maintenance, and data access. Customers access the system through a web browser and own the data captured by their devices, although Flock retains ownership of the cameras.
WHO CAN ACCESS THE DATA?
While cameras in Sonterra are privately owned and managed, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office participates in Flock’s Law Enforcement Network, which allows deputies
What It Does
When a vehicle passes the camera:
The plate is scanned instantly.
The system checks it against national and state databases.
If the vehicle is flagged (stolen car, wanted suspect vehicle, Amber Alert), law enforcement is alerted.
According to Deputy Feldmann, Flock’s standard policy is to delete data after 30 days on a rolling basis, but camera users may request shorter or longer retention periods. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a formal policy governing data use, Deputy Feldmann says, that limits access to authorized personnel and subjects system use to routine audit and supervisory review.
What It Does NOT Do
It does not record video of front yards or homes.
It does not use facial recognition.
It is not actively monitored by HOA boards.
It does not track individuals walking through a neighborhood.
The focus is vehicle-based crime detection.
Flock cameras have been used to help solve investigations involving stolen vehicles, property crimes, violent offenses, and missing person cases. According to Flock’s website, the technology is used by cities, law enforcement, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods across the United States. While Deputy Feldmann did not provide details on specific local cases, he said the cameras have been a valuable investigative tool for the Sheriff’s Office. “In Williamson County communities where this technology has been deployed, it has helped generate investigative leads and identify vehicles connected to reported criminal activity. In some instances, the information provided by data has significantly accelerated investigations and helped identify suspect vehicles more efficiently than traditional methods alone.”
What's the Real Deal?
If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling social media wondering:
Is that actually true?
Why does this keep happening?
...this new column is for you. Each month, Here’s the Real Deal will tackle questions and conversations specifically related to our community in Jarrell and Sonterra and we're digging in to find real, reliable answers.
HOA and COA concerns
parks and amenities
new businesses coming to town
water quality issues
and other local topics.
Each month, we’ll take a question submitted by readers—or one we’re seeing repeatedly online—that relates directly to life in Jarrell or Sonterra, and do the legwork to get the facts. That means reaching out to local officials, organizations, experts, and trusted sources to provide clear information, helpful context, and when possible, practical solutions. No speculation. No keyboard debates. Just the real deal.
Faith communities play a quiet but powerful role in shaping the heart of a town—offering service, connection, and a place to belong. Our Church Spotlight feature is designed to introduce readers to the people, ministries, and missions behind local congregations, highlighting how they serve both their members and the wider community. In each installment, we’ll share stories of outreach, fellowship, and faith in action, offering a glimpse into what makes each church a meaningful part of life in 76537.
Upwards Church • Jarrell Campus
At Upwards Church, we are Bible-based and Christ-centered. Our purpose is clear: “Love God, Love People & Share Jesus.”
Loving God begins during our two Sunday services, where you will find vibrant contemporary worship music, relevant Bible-based messages, friendly people, and two moving one-hour services. This worship time focusing on God is a great way to start your week!
Family Bible Study: come together Thursday evenings for a time of fellowship and Bible study.
Loving people not only happens on Sundays, but also through our Connect and Ministry Groups, where people engage in the Word and with one another.
Youth Group (6th-12th graders): meets Wednesday evenings for worship, games, devotional, food, fellowship and more.
Kid’s for Christ (1st-5th graders): meet once a month for a devotional, worship, and fun activities plus food!
Kids & Youth Summer Activities: Vacation Bible School and Various Camps
Men’s Group: gather for breakfast and devotional, service projects and more the second Saturday of the month.
Women’s Group: meet Monday evenings for Bible time and fellowship.
Upwards Preschool Parent’s Day Out Ministry: Tuesdays and Thursdays for kids 18 months through 5 years. Registration and more information online at Upwards.Church.
We offer groups for all ages and life situations.
SHARING JESUS is the heartbeat of our ministry teams, outreach programs and mission opportunities. We love serving our community through events like Fall Fest, Spring Fest, and our Military Appreciation Banquet. We enjoy supporting our local school district and community in various ways. Just a few
are providing snack bags for kids, hosting the band picnic, serving “Breakfast of Champions” for the football team, and delivering gift baskets to our local Fire and Law Enforcement agencies.
EQUIPPING PEOPLE
FOR LIFE. We focus on spiritual growth by discovering the major biblical themes, characters, and stories from all 66 books of the Bible in five years. We grow together through daily devotions, mid-week Connect Groups, and our Sunday morning worship gatherings.
WORSHIP SERVICES: Sunday mornings we offer an 8:30am Family Worship Service and a 10:00am Contemporary Worship Service, where children newborn through 6th grade can enjoy an engaging kids’ ministry focusing on Jesus along with Bible stories with friends.
Upwards Church is a friendly, welcoming, and loving church where everyone is honored and valued. Come as you are—dress casually or dress up—it’s your choice. We want to worship, walk, and grow spiritually with you as we build lasting relationships together. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or at Upwards.Church. We can’t wait to see you!
COURAGE, CHARACTER, and the 8-Second Ride
THE FUTURE OF RODEO GOES RIGHT THROUGH CENTRAL TEXAS!
On Saturday, March 21 at 7pm, the Superbronc Roughstock Rodeo Challenge rides into Harvest Ranch Arena in Liberty Hill. This Junior National Finals Rodeo-sanctioned event focuses exclusively on roughstock competition—Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding—where young athletes compete for a chance to advance to the Junior NFR Cham pionships in Las Vegas during December’s National Finals Rodeo.
Created about a decade ago, the Junior NFR was designed to help develop the next generation of professional rodeo athletes. Many of today’s top Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors began their careers in
Now, that opportunity is riding straight through Central Texas.
Why It Matters Here at Home
Rodeo remains strong nationally, but roughstock competitors are becoming increasingly rare. Recently, leaders within the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association shared that only about 75 active bareback riders are competing across more than 800 sanctioned PRCA rodeos. For a sport built on grit and courage, that number is a reminder that the next generation needs places to train, compete, and grow.
In parts of Central Texas, high school rodeo programs have faded over the past decade, and consistent training opportunities are limited. Events like this help rebuild that pathway.
Mike McCloskey, owner of Chisholm Trail Productions, saw that need and stepped in. After connecting with Las Vegas Events, parent company of the Junior NFR, he committed to hosting this local qualifier and expanding opportunities for young riders.
The morning of the event, competitors will participate in a professional rodeo school, receiving instruction and practice rides under the guidance of experienced cowboys, including Liberty Hill’s own Cole Hollen and Saddle Bronc rider Isaac Diaz of Desdemona. Mike is also developing a training arena on his Rodeo Ranch in Gatesville to give young athletes structured opportunities to develop not only skill, but courage, discipline, and character.
It’s more than an event. It’s an investment in the future of rodeo—and in the young people who carry it forward.
How You Can Be Part of It
Whether you come to cheer on local riders, enter a child in Mutton Busting, or simply experience the energy of an 8-second ride under arena lights, the Superbronc Roughstock Rodeo Challenge offers something increasingly meaningful in fast-growing Central Texas: a way to celebrate tradition while helping shape its future.
A special word of appreciation goes to the many sponsors who help make the event possible, including presenting sponsor Mac Haik Ford Lincoln Georgetown, along with Sport Clips, Firefly Aerospace, and the many community leaders and businesses who continue to invest in the future of rodeo.
HARVEST RANCH ARENA
8355 RR 1869, LIBERTY HILL
Gates open at 6pm. The evening begins with crowd-favorite Mutton Busting for ages 3-7 (sign-ups start at 6:15pm), followed by roughstock competition and special features including a calf scramble and the Fort Hood First Mounted Cavalry Unit.
Adults $20 • 11 and under $10 $49.95 for a family four-pack. Military families receive half-price admission.
by Ann Marie Kennon
The Dr Pepper Museum
A Spring Break Win for Texas Families
DESPITE THE NAME, THE MUSEUM IS MORE THAN A SINGLE-BRAND ATTRACTION. IT USES DR PEPPER AS A STARTING POINT TO TELL THE BROADER STORY OF THE AMERICAN SOFT DRINK INDUSTRY— ONE THAT HELPED SHAPE ADVERTISING, MANUFACTURING, AND POPULAR CULTURE. THAT BROADER SCOPE IS PART OF WHY THE MUSEUM CONTINUES TO DRAW INTEREST WELL BEYOND WACO, WELCOMING MORE THAN 270,000 VISITORS IN 2025.
Spring break in Texas has “spring” right there in the name, even when the weather hasn’t quite gotten the memo. So, when kids are home for a week and outdoor plans are a maybe at best, it helps to have a destination close by that’s fun, educational, maybe even tasty, and mostly indoors.
That’s where the Dr Pepper Museum comes in.
Just one hour Jarrell, this family-friendly destination offers something rare: a place where kids can explore, adults can learn something new, and everyone leaves with a greater appreciation for a Texas original.
A Soft Drink with Lone Star Roots
Dr Pepper is more than just another soft drink, it’s a regional success story. Invented in Waco in the 1880s, it predates Coca-Cola and Pepsi, giving it bragging rights as one of the oldest soft drinks in America. That sense of Texas pride is evident throughout the museum.
Housed in the original 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building, the museum operates as an independent nonprofit, not a corporate showplace. This generalized approach to soda history goes well beyond a single product, drawing from what is now the world’s largest collection of soft drink memorabilia. The result is a visit that feels deeper and more interesting than many first-time visitors expect.
Hands-On Fun for All Ages
Kids can explore interactive displays that explain carbonation, experiment with scent stations tied to the drink’s famously secret recipe, and watch early bottling machines in action. Older kids and teens often gravitate toward exhibits on advertising and branding, discovering how Dr Pepper carved out its own identity in a crowded beverage market. Along the way, science and history sneak in under the radar.
When You Go
Open 7 days/week, 10am–5:30pm (extended hours in March for Spring Break). Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
General admission is $12 per person (ages 5 and up); purchase only from the museum desk. Includes self-guided access to all exhibits and a free Dr Pepper at the soda fountain or $1 toward an upgrade item.
Street parking is available and there is paid public parking across 5th St.
Kid-friendly activities include the Soda Fountain for Dr Pepper floats and specialty drinks. There are also Keurig Dr Pepper Liquid Lab demos on select days, interactive exhibits, and scent stations throughout the museum.
The museum provides sensory-friendly sunglasses and earbuds free of charge at the admissions desk.
The gift shop and Soda Fountain are open to walk-in guests during business hours even without museum admission.
You can also make a reservation for an MVP experience.
Make-A-Soda: ~$20/person; create and bottle your own custom flavor (includes one bottle; extras available to purchase).
VIP Make-A-Soda: ~$200 flat rate for up to 20 people; includes museum admission and guided soda making.
Extreme Pepper Experience: Private guided tour plus soda experiences (subject to availability).
Make it a Day
The museum is just the right size to feel worth the drive, yet compact enough to avoid burnout. Most visitors spend one to two hours exploring the exhibits, gift shop, and soda fountain, though museum staff note that peak times like spring break and summer vacation can stretch a visit to two or three hours. Even then, it’s easy to pair the museum with lunch in downtown Waco or a short walk to nearby shops and attractions. And if the weather cooperates, there’s still time to stop at Cameron Park Zoo.
What makes the Dr Pepper Museum such a strong spring break option is its versatility. It’s educational without being dull, interactive without being overwhelming, and rooted in Texas history without feeling like homework. Kids leave with fun facts and hands-on experiences, while adults gain a renewed appreciation for how a simple idea—served cold and fizzy—and a cool story helped shape American culture.
SPOILER ALERT:
IT’S EASY TO OVERLOOK, BUT THERE’S NO PERIOD AFTER “DR” IN DR PEPPER—AND THERE NEVER HAS BEEN. THE MUSEUM POINTS OUT THIS SMALL BUT INTENTIONAL DETAIL, ONE OF MANY REMINDERS THAT EVEN A DRINK TEXANS THINK THEY KNOW BY HEART STILL HAS A FEW SECRETS LEFT.
THE CALENDAR I ACTUALLY LIVE BY
Iam terrible with years. Ask me what happened in 2013 and I’ll stare at you like you’ve asked for my blood type. But ask me about my fifth grade teacher, my junior year of college, or the year Jack had to do school at home, and suddenly I’m fluent. I can tell you where I sat, what shoes I wore, and what the weather was doing because I really don’t remember time by numbers. I remember it by seasons.
Even when I was younger, years were never years. They were grades. They were chapters. They were the year Asia released "Only Time Will Tell," or the year the space shuttle broke apart on live television—the big moments that became "before or after" in life. Everything else floated into a blur of "back in my 30s..."
Motherhood made that even truer. Years became the year he learned to read, or when school got hard, the year he got his braces off for the second time, and when we finally caught our breath. Mothers don’t live in decades. We live in chapters, which is why March feels like a hinge.
Spring isn’t loud about its arrival, but it is persuasive. It’s the season when everything starts to feel like it might be okay again, not because you flipped a calendar page, but because you sense it. I can finally sit on my porch in my special spot again. The sun comes up before I get out of bed, so I’m no longer waking up like an Arctic explorer bracing for survival.
I carry my plants outside and set them down like children released for recess. They stretch their pale arms toward the sun and soak up the light the way nature intended. They don’t worry about melanoma, and I envy that. They just take it all in and grow accordingly.
Which is more than I can say for me, inside on the couch, trying to read my daily verses during the 15 minutes of the day when actual sunlight manages to beam through the window and land directly on my lap like a benediction. It’s supposed to be a peaceful, holy pause. But without fail, by the seventh verse—God’s number of completion, mind you—my dogs begin their interpretive door dance. One wants out, one wants in, and one stares at me like I’m ruining his life. I open the door like a disgruntled butler, only for them to switch places and repeat the performance. At no point do all three agree on anything. I am being spiritually mugged by a three-headed chaos beast in fur coats.
And even if the dogs gave me a break, I’d still be doing battle with my own squirrel brain, fighting to remember what I just read, circling back to finish a prayer I started with good intentions and abandoned somewhere between “Dear Lord” and “Wait, did I move the laundry?” Inside, I’m trying to conjure presence.
Outside, it arrives. Because in spring, I can go sit on the porch, where the actual squirrels are. The cute, tail-flicking ones. I don’t have to fight my attention span, I just hand it over to the birds and the breeze and the sunrise creeping slowly northward every day. The doors are open, the dogs roam on their own, and for a few minutes, all I have to do is notice.
Sometimes I imagine the calendar I would keep if I were honest. It wouldn’t have months. It would have entries like Season of Looking for Golf Shirt, The Great Stomach Bug Weekend, Fireside During Winter Storm [WHATEVER NAME], and Week We All Ate Breakfast for Dinner and Called It a Win. That’s
the time I know by heart. The real stuff never fits neatly into a grid anyway.
And while we’re being honest: January is not the new year. January is a frozen wasteland full of broken resolutions and unmatched mittens. No one becomes a new person in January. They become a slightly more tired version of the one they were in December, just colder. March is the real beginning. March is when people start opening windows again, remembering the sound of birds, and thinking maybe I don’t need to retire in Portugal after all.
Of course, some days still fall apart. I try to sit outside with my tea and reflect, and the dogs immediately begin a fence war with the same neighbor dogs they see every day. Someone inside is yelling “Where’s the good charger?” as if Nicholas Cage just spirited it away with the Declaration of Independence. The wind knocks over my mug. I give up and go inside, but I leave the door open and ignore the pollen that settles on the countertops.
March doesn’t fix anything. It doesn’t solve problems or reorder calendars. But it does restore a sense of preferred rhythms. The days lengthen, the air starts to warm, and our moods begin to thaw. Mothers quietly reset the household clocks, not by dates, but by light.
So no, in ten years I probably won’t remember what happened in 2026. But I’ll remember that March was the month I put my plants back outside and started turning my face to the sun again.
And honestly, that’s the kind of time I’m willing to keep. The rest can stay in somebody else’s spreadsheet.
