Joanna Gaines Makes a Surprise Appearance at Husband Chip’s Own Makeover Project in Waco — See Photos

Joanna Gaines is all for a good surprise — especially when it’s in support of her husband Chip!

The Magnolia co-founder, 46, made an unplanned appearance while her husband was busy transforming a baseball field in their hometown of Waco, Texas on Tuesday, July 16. 

At the event, which was part of Chip's ongoing partnership with Bobcat, the contractor, 49, worked with a number of volunteers to bring life back into Bell’s Hill Park with a little help from some of the company's heavy-duty equipment. Though it was a hot, sunny day in Waco, Joanna stopped by to cheer on her husband of 21 years and watch him lead the renovation.

The makeover kicked off the Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover Contest which will give a winning community $100,000 to spruce up their local park.

“I grew up playing ball at local parks, and now, my boys have too,” Gaines says in a press release for the contest. The dad of five shares sons Drake, 19, Duke, 16, Crew, 6 and daughters Ella, 17, and Emmie, 14, with Joanna.

He continues, “Spending time outside and being involved in community sports is such a big part of our family’s life, which makes me thrilled to partner with Bobcat here in Waco to renovate a local ballpark as they launch their national contest. It’s projects like this that really bring a community together, today but also decades down the road.”

Before the renovation kicked off, Chip played a game of catch with some young players and cheered them on when it was their turn to bat. 

After their game, he manned multiple white and o -

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range Bobcat machines to tear down the old structures at the field and plant some new greenery in the space. The field finally came together when the red dirt was smoothed over and new white lines were painted.

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Chip has been a longtime advocate for youth sports, and renovating the field at Bell’s Hill Park is just one example of his encouragement over the years. 

In November 2019, Chip and Joanna showed support for their alma mater, Baylor University, when they signed on to be the celebrity guest pickers at ESPN’s College GameDay road show. The event was hosted by the university in Waco, Texas at the time.

The also built a Wiffle ball field at their Magnolia Market at the Silos shopping destination in Waco, where the historic Katy Field once hosted Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

"Teaming up with Chip to fix up a ballpark in the Waco area is our way of encouraging people to take action in their own towns,” says Bobcat's vice president of global brand and marketing Laura Ness Owens.

“It could be by nominating their community for a similar makeover or simply volunteering and getting involved. We want this partnership with Chip and our shared dedication to community to light a spark in others to give back and strengthen communities everywhere," she adds. 

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