
This weekend in What’s On McKinney: TUPPS turns 11 with an all-day Saturday bash, the Folklorico Festival hits its 25th year under Mitchell Park's trees on Sunday, MEDC quietly maps out 4 million square feet of factory floor east of the new airport, and Friday's rain steps politely aside in time for two beautiful days. Also: stand-up is hard, but so is standing up - so why not stay seated and enjoy two comedy shows in a row? Get the full breakdown →
🛬 The 183 Acres Next Door: McKinney's Airport-East Master Plan Comes Into View

A week after Council greenlit a $1.6M federal pitch for commercial flights, the bigger story landed at the April 28 joint meeting between the City and MEDC: what happens to the land around the new airport.
MEDC owns 183 acres immediately east of the soon-to-open commercial terminal. Combined with land owned by partner Holly Development to the north, MEDC President Michael Koski told the room the corridor could absorb up to 4 million square feet of advanced manufacturing space and 1 million square feet of aeronautical and aviation support uses - a hub that doesn't really have a peer right now.
"Nowhere else in the country is this happening," Koski said. "A brand new commercial airport being built with conceivably 4 to 500 acres of land next to it that's prime for new development." The Spur is fully completed, the Outer Loop is taking shape, and MEDC is already telling Council the strategic plan it's drafting with consultancy Newmark will need to add advanced manufacturing as a target industry now that the land is suddenly viable.
Translation: that runway you saw groundbreaking footage of last year is the smaller half of the story. The acreage around it is what flips McKinney from a fast-growing suburb into a regional employment center. (Source: McKinney Joint Meeting, April 28)
🎪 Save The Date - May 16
🚒 Touch-A-Truck at TUPPS
A parking lot full of fire engines, dump trucks, cement mixers, and police cruisers - climb on, honk the horns, watch your kid become temporarily obsessed with hydraulic lifts. Saturday's the day; the rest of the week is just hype.
TUPPS Outdoor Stage & Lawn, 721 Anderson St, Sat May 16, 10AM-2PM ($10, more info)

🏛️ The Square
🏫 McKinney ISD Drops $1.1M on Track and Campus Refresh
Trustees approved $950,450 to replace the McKinney High School track and another $149,686 in bond funds for landscaping and fencing at Bennett Elementary and Evans Middle. It's phase three of the district's ongoing campus refresh program, which has already deployed about $11.3 million district-wide. (Source: McKinney ISD Apr 20 School Board Meeting)
🛎️ McKinney Picked as Pilot for Regional Hospitality Workforce Program
Workforce Solutions of North Central Texas chose McKinney to launch the Local Government Alliance, a hospitality-focused workforce pilot the agency intends to replicate across its 14-county footprint. The focus is timely: Universal Studios, Kalahari, and the north McKinney sports complex are all coming online and need front-of-house staffing pipelines. City Manager Paul Grimes framed it as a barrier-removal play - daycare and transportation, not just training. (Source: McKinney Joint Meeting, April 28)
🤝 McKinney + Allen Launch "121 North" Corridor Brand
MEDC and the City of Allen have adopted a shared brand for the SH-121 corridor running between the two cities, with a joint website where prospective developers and tenants can click into individual properties (Lake Forest mixed-use is the first featured site). Two competing suburbs marketing the same corridor as one product is unusual - and exactly what's needed when the corridor is bigger than either city alone. (Source: McKinney Joint Meeting, April 28)
🔥 New In Town
🚒 Fire Department HQ Grand Opening
McKinney Fire Department is officially opening its new Headquarters, and the community is invited to check it out. Expect a ribbon-cutting moment and a chance to see the new facility up close. This one is cool for the kids!
May 8, 10AM | 2100 Taylor Burk Dr
🍛 South Indian restaurant Madras Mojo opens on University
Just opened, this fast-casual Indian spot brings a second location to the area from its Colleyville roots. The menu leans into South Indian flavors with a modern spin, featuring dishes like rice noodles, Indian-style crepes, and proteins such as pepper chicken and butter paneer masala - all built for a quick bowl on the go.
4060 W. University Drive, Ste. 300
🏥 ATI Physical Therapy Gets 1 More McKinney Location
No growing pains for ATI Physical Therapy as its 4th clinic in McKinney is now open, expanding access for sports rehab, post-op recovery, and orthopedic PT.
1915 Prestwick Hollow Drive, Ste. 500
What’s On McKinney
Fri May 1 - Sun May 3
Friday, May 1
🛍️ First Friday Market & Music
District 121's monthly First Friday returns with a free open-air market, food, and a community-night vibe with The Vinyl Stripes playing groovy music.
District 121, 6731 Alma Road, 7:30-9:30PM (Free)
🎤 Red Dirt Comedy Presents William Lee Martin
Texas comic William Lee Martin headlines a stand-up night at Local Yocal's event space. Cattle-shed humor with a beef-forward dinner option - very on-brand for the room.
The Augustus at Local Yocal, 350 E Louisiana St, Doors 6PM / Dinner at 7PM / Show at 8PM (Tickets $36-$105)
😂 Comedy Night: Kevin Deanda + The Crew
Stand-up is hard, but so is standing up - so why not stay seated and enjoy two shows in a row? Marine veteran Kevin Deanda turns life-rarely-goes-to-plan into stand-up comedy at 7:30PM, then "The Crew" assembles in an epic way - not for a bank heist, but just for a late-night show at 9:30PM. Mature audiences.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 7:30PM & 9:30PM ($17-$26 per show)
Saturday, May 2
🥬 Farmer's Market McKinney
History intersects with the present at this award-winning weekend market. Local produce, vendors, and community energy every Saturday.
Chestnut Square Heritage Village, 8AM - 12PM (Free)
🏛️ Living History Day
Monthly 1st Saturday at Chestnut Square. Step back in time with costumed interpreters and historic demonstrations and see how people lived around 1900.
Chestnut Square Heritage Village, 10AM - 12PM
🏃 Mud Factor 5K Obstacle Run
Adult 5K + Kidz 3K waves, a course full of mud and obstacles, and Myers Park's open fields. Show up an hour before your wave or you'll be that person.
Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 CR 166, 10AM-2PM ($35-$75)
🐐 Goat Yoga at TUPPS
Yoga. With goats. On a Saturday morning. The setup writes itself, but you'll want to baaa-ck out early because tickets sell out. Pre-Anniversary Bash warm-up.
TUPPS Brewery, 721 Anderson St, 10:30-11:30AM ($25 tickets)
🍻 TUPPS 11th Anniversary Bash
TUPPS turns 11 and is throwing an all-day party - food, beers, vendors, and the kind of crowd that proves how far this brewery has come. 11AM to 11PM means there are no excuses.
TUPPS Brewery, 721 Anderson St, 11AM-11PM (Free entry)
✨ Family Friendly Magic & Comedy with Dal Sanders
A 5PM all-ages show that's pure McKinney-on-a-Saturday energy: magic, comedy, and zero "you had to be there" moments.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 5PM (Ticketed, kids $6, adults $17-$26)
🎭 ComedySportz: Dallas Laughricks vs Detroit Punchlines
The Arena's all-ages improv competition format pits two cities against each other for laughs. Detroit, expect to lose. Family-friendly.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 7PM (all ages, tickets $20-$26)
Sunday, May 3
🛶 3 Hour Wetland Canoe Trails
A guided paddle through the Heard's hidden wetland marshes - the slow, on-the-water side of McKinney most residents never see. Sunday's sunshine forecast practically signs you up.
Heard Natural Science Museum, 1 Nature Place, 1-4PM ($32 members / $42 non-members)
🌺 Folklorico Festival of McKinney
Salsa, Cumbia, Afro-Peruvian, Folklorico - this free outdoors Latin culture festival is a community gem. They even have dance groups perform all the way from Ecuador, Argentina and Mexico! Expect performances, music, craft workshops, gift stands, educational games and more.
Dr. Glenn Mitchell Memorial Park, 300 W Louisiana St, 11AM-3PM (Free)
📚 Get Lit: Grown Up Book Fair
All the dopamine of an elementary-school book fair without the permission slip - 50+ vendors, local authors signing copies, food and drinks from TUPPS, and a tote bag waiting to be earned. Reading list, refreshed.
TUPPS Brewery, 721 Anderson St, 11AM-3PM (Free)
🎶 Live Music This Weekend
Friday, May 1
🎶 Texanadians Scott E. and Dālene Richelle weave covers and originals across rock, country, and pop - duo set or full band depending on the night. Acoustic-room intimacy on the third floor of the historic Masonic, with downtown-skyline windows and Chef Dre's full menu. Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St, 7:30-11PM (Reservations recommended)
🎵 Brother Cane
Southern blues-rockers Brother Cane bring "Got No Shame" energy back to The Guitar Sanctuary's stage, plus special guests The Maylee Thomas band.
The Sanctuary Music & Events, 209 E Louisiana St, 8PM ($33-65 tickets)
🎸 Emerson Band - Classic Rock
Classic rock, cold drinks, and good vibes at the Lion & Crown's McKinney location.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy APT 1600, 9PM-12AM (Free)
Saturday, May 2
👕 Ryan Berg Band, The Flannel Pajamas, PM Van Full of Nuns
A day full of live music as McKinney celebrates TUPPS' 11th Anniversary. Don’t forget to pack a folding chair or a blanket so you can relax comfortably on the grass while the bands play.
TUPPS Brewery Outdoor Stage, 721 Anderson St, 12-10PM (Free entry)
🎤 Buzz Andrew's Band Live at Lion & Crown
Sixty years of guitar, harmonica, and a 1963 Gibson named Little Red. Buzz brings classic rock, blues, and country to the Lion & Crown.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy APT 1600, 9PM-12AM (Free)
🎤 Skinny Bishop Band A 5-piece cover band built around Eagles-style three-part harmonies, a versatile electric guitar, and the steady pulse of an upright bass. Saturday night at Harvest is the listening-room version of going out - full bar, full menu, and a crowd that actually wants to hear the music. Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St, 7:30-11PM (Reservations recommended)
🌳 Park of the Week: Towne Lake Park
A 230 acre east-side park wrapped around a stocked fishing lake - paved trails, picnic shelters, a swim-free water feature, and one of the most underrated sunset views in McKinney. Quieter than Bonnie Wenk, with enough room to spread out and lose the crowd. Paddleboat rentals, trails, a playground, sand volleyball, kayak rentals - this park is pretty iconic. Oh and let’s not forget Recreation Centre at Towne Lake, which offers tons of activities like Monday Movie Night and community BBQ events.
📍 1405 Wilson Creek Pkwy | Open daily, 5:30AM-11PM | Free
This Weekend’s Weather
Fri: 🌧️ Cool with rain, breezy in the afternoon - watch for street ponding, high 59°F
Sat: 🌤️ Partly sunny and warmer, high 72°F
Sun: ☀️ Mostly sunny, a nice end to the weekend, high 77°F
Friday's the wet one - keep umbrellas in the car and lean into indoor plans. Saturday and Sunday are everything anyone wants from early-May Texas.
🎁 Refer a Friend
Liked this? Know someone who’s always asking “What’s going on this week?” Forward this email to a friend!
Refer 2 friends → Get a shoutout in the newsletter
Refer 5 → Get our McKinney Restaurant Guide
Here’s the deal: I make this newsletter for free and you share it with your neighbor, friend and cousin’s cousin!
🗣️ Got News?
Opening soon? Hosting an event?
Got a story I should feature?
Reply and tell me - I read every message.
That’s it for now. See you in the Sunday edition full of weekday plans!
Cheers,
Sebastian
Tex-Mex enthusiast, cat person & publisher of What’s On McKinney
P.S. Wanna make new friends in McKinney? Join our growing Making Friends In McKinney Facebook group!
