Thru the Chute, one of New Braunfels’ most popular annual springtime events, is seeing changes in 2026.

What’s changed: Thru the Chute, which previously operated as a first-come, first-serve event, has grown by approximately 89% since 2023, according to Placer ID data from the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, which was provided to Community Impact by the city. In an effort to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants and spectators, the city placed a cap on in-person attendance and began offering free spectator tickets—which are required to enter the event.

Tickets were available for free online on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 a.m. Feb. 2, according to the email. The event will take place at 10 a.m. April 11 at Prince Solms Park.

About 5,500 spectator tickets were claimed within the first hour of being released, and in-person spectator tickets are now sold out. Although the total number of boats allowed for this year’s event increased, boat registration also sold out, city officials said in the email.

Headwaters at the Comal has begun the final phase of its three-phase, multimillion-dollar expansion project.

The nonprofit organization, located at 333 E. Klingemann St., is New Braunfels Utilities’ legacy conservation project, which aims to transform a historically and environmentally significant site into a public-facing community resource.

The update: Phase 3 of the project—which costs $10.9 million—is planned as the centerpiece of the site's revitalization and will feature a large-scale, immersive representation of the Edwards Aquifer ecosystem, Headwaters Managing Director Nancy Pappas said.

Designs for the third phase call for a courtyard structure using sail-like elements to illustrate the region’s limestone geology and how water moves through the aquifer. Rain chains, constructed wetland cells and a closed-loop wastewater system will demonstrate aquifer recharge and the connection between the Comal River and downstream bays and estuaries along the Texas coast, Pappas said.

Interpretive elements and archaeological exhibits will also highlight the site’s human history, which dates back more than 10,000 years, predating European settlement, Pappas said.

One of Bexar County’s oldest community nonprofit organizations is set to celebrate a big milestone throughout the rest of 2026.

How we got here: The YMCA of Greater San Antonio is celebrating its 150th anniversary of serving communities in South Central Texas.

“We’re not just celebrating our history, we’re looking to our future in the community,” Louis Lopez, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, said at a Feb. 16 press event kicking off the celebration.

What’s happening: Throughout 2026, the YMCA will host events at various area branches to celebrate this milestone.

Check out the anniversary webpage here to see a complete list of events.

The official 150th celebration will take place on Sept. 26 from 6 to 11 p.m. More details will be released closer to the event.

• Branches across the Greater San Antonio area

This Hill Country chain serving cocktails to-go has announced the permanent closure of all locations in San Antonio, New Braunfels and Boerne.

What’s happening: Roc-N-Ritas is closing all five of its locations in the greater San Antonio area, according to a Feb. 13 social media announcement from the business:

• 112 E. San Antonio Ave., Boerne
• 2864 Thousand Oaks Drive, Ste. 101, San Antonio
• 5726 Babcock Road, San Antonio
• 211 Elliot Knox Blvd., New Braunfels

• Locations across San Antonio

Early in-person voting in Texas’ primary elections begins Feb. 17 and lasts until Feb. 27.

How it works: Texas has an open primary system, where voters decide at the polling place whether to cast ballots in the Democratic or Republican primary. Voters may not participate in both primaries.

What to expect: Voters will be given a ballot with a slate of statewide seats and other races determined by the voting precinct they live in. During early voting, registered voters can visit any polling location in their county.

Candidates who win their primaries will advance to the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Why it matters: Early voting gives registered voters the opportunity to cast their ballots before primary election day March 3.

Voter advocacy groups and experts told Community Impact that a vote in the March primaries is “the most impactful vote” Texans can cast, due to consistently low voter turnout and competition in certain races. Over 18 million Texans are registered to vote, although about one-fifth of registered voters participated in recent primary elections.