Good morning, Bastrop County
Happy Fourth of July week. Saturday is the big one, and Bastrop County does it right. Bastrop's Big BANG! fills downtown from the morning Pet & Pedal Parade all the way to fireworks over the Colorado River at Fisherman's Park, and Smithville throws an all-day Americana celebration that doubles as a Texas 250th birthday bash with a parade, a free hot dog meal, and fireworks at 9pm. To match the road-trip energy of the holiday, this week we pull off Highway 71 at Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co. in Cedar Creek, home of Ms. Pearl the giant squirrel and a pecan pie vending machine that never closes. Elgin gets the weekend rolling Friday evening with a Chalk It Up sidewalk-art party and a lighted parade, there is live music up and down Main Street, storytimes and a space-themed Movie Monday at the library, and McDade is already warming up its watermelons for next weekend.
Let's dig in.
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🐿️ Featured Business of the Week | Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co. | Cedar Creek
The world's biggest squirrel, a 24/7 pecan pie machine, and a Texas roadside stop worth slowing down for | Cedar Creek, Texas
If you have ever driven Highway 71 between Bastrop and Austin, you have met Ms. Pearl. She is the 14-foot fiberglass squirrel standing guard out front of Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co., clutching a pecan and waving cars in, and she is hands down one of the most photographed roadside attractions in Bastrop County. But Ms. Pearl is just the welcome committee. The real reason folks pull over is what is waiting inside, and out front in a vending machine that runs around the clock.
Yes, that is a pecan pie vending machine, and yes, it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pull in at midnight on your way home and walk away with a fresh whole pie, restocked daily and paid for with cash or card. Inside the shop you will find pies baked fresh every morning, fresh-shelled Texas pecans, and the candy the family is famous for, from chewy pralines and pecan toffee to chocolate-dipped clusters. Berdoll has been a family operation since 1986, and Jennifer and Jared Wammack carried the tradition forward when they bought the business from the Berdoll family in 2008, keeping the recipes and the small-town hospitality right where they have always been. A pecan pie travels beautifully to a 4th of July cookout, so this is the perfect week to make the stop.
A few things worth grabbing:
🥧 Whole Pecan Pie | the signature, available fresh inside or 24/7 from Ms. Pearl's vending machine out front
🍫 Pecan Pralines & Toffee | the candy counter favorites, made in small batches
🌰 Fresh-Shelled Texas Pecans | by the bag, straight from the farm
🎁 Gift Tins & Shipping | ready-to-send boxes they will ship anywhere in the country
🐿️ A Photo with Ms. Pearl | free, and the kids will insist
Visit Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co. 📍 2626 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek, TX 78612 📞 512-321-6157 🗓️ Open 7 days a week, 9am-7pm 🌐 berdollpecanfarm.com | Facebook
🗓️ Bastrop County Events | July 2 - 8, 2026
Thursday, July 2
🎨 Spark Your Imagination Exhibit | 10am-5pm, runs through Aug 1 | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A hands-on summer exhibit on electricity, invention, and county history for all ages, $8 admission and free for kids under 12. Bastrop County Historical Society
🌊 Waterscapes Group Art Show | Wed-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 11am-5pm, runs through August | Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop | A water-themed group exhibition with a spotlight on artist March Mattingly, free admission. Lost Pines Art Center
🔬 S.T.E.A.M. for Kids | 10-11am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Hands-on science and engineering fun for kids. Free. Elgin Public Library
🪨 S.T.E.A.M. | Rock Cycle | 10am | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A hands-on rock-cycle science session for kids as part of summer reading. Free. Bastrop Public Library
📚 Bilingual Storytime | 11:15am | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | English and Spanish stories and songs, part of the Color Our World summer program. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🫐 U-Pick Blackberries | Final Week | 8am-12pm | Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, 120 Natures Way, Elgin | The last of the season's blackberries are ripe and ready to pick out at the farm. Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
🎲 Teen Bingo | 5:30pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Bingo, prizes, and hangout time for teens to kick off the holiday week. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🇺🇸 America 250 Patriotic Storytime & Craft | 2pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | A festive storytime and craft celebrating the country's milestone birthday. Free. Elgin Public Library
🛒 Elgin Farmers Market | 4-7pm | Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Depot St, Elgin | Local produce, food, and live music every Thursday, SNAP/EBT welcome. Elgin Farmers Market
Friday, July 3
🎨 Elgin Chalk It Up & Lighted 4th of July Parade | registration 5:30pm, chalk art and music into the evening | Veterans Memorial Park, downtown Elgin | Draw on your own or as a team to decorate the park for the 4th, with a DJ, snow cones, a raffle at 7:30pm, and a lighted parade to close the night. Free. City of Elgin
🌭 FAME Days Hot Dog Eating Contest | evening | Spring & Main St, downtown Bastrop | The Bastrop Cultural Arts kickoff to the holiday weekend, with a "Red, White & Chew" hot dog eating contest and downtown fun. Bastrop FAME Days
🎆 Bastrop River Club 4th of July Celebration | doors 5pm, Johnny Rockit Band 6-9pm | Bastrop River Club | Food, drinks, and live music from the Johnny Rockit Band to open the holiday weekend. Bastrop River Club
🎨 Found Fine Art First Friday | Open Late | til 8pm+ | Found Fine Art, downtown Bastrop | The gallery stays open late for First Friday with new work and a "Twas the Night Before Big Bang" theme. Found Fine Art
🔦 United We Escape | Revolutionary Escape Room | 6-9pm (crews at 6:00, 6:45 & 7:25) | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Crack the clues and save American history in this Revolutionary War escape room, $10 general and $15 members. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎸 Eric Demmer | Live Music | 6:30-9:30pm | Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop | High-energy blues, funk, and rock on the patio. Copper Shot Distillery
🎶 The Nite Shift | Live Music | 7:30-10:30pm | The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Live band on the patio at Gracie's to kick off the weekend. The Grace Miller
🎶 Eric Connor | Live Music | 7-10pm | Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard, 601 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Live music in the yard to kick off the holiday weekend. Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard
🌟 Saturday, July 4 | Independence Day | The Big Day
🎶 The Honor Choir | Independence Day Sing | before the parade | downtown Bastrop | The Honor Choir opens the morning in song, then leads everyone down Pine Street onto Main Street to the Opera House playing their kazoos. The Honor Choir
🐾 Bastrop's Big BANG! Pet & Pedal Parade | registration 8am, parade 9am | Bastrop County Courthouse, downtown Bastrop | Decorate your pet or anything on wheels (no motors) and roll through downtown. City of Bastrop
🚲 Smithville Kids' Bicycle Decorating Contest | 9:30am | James H. Long Railroad Park, Main & 1st, Smithville | Kids of all ages decorate their bikes with patriotic flair before the parade rolls. Smithville 4th of July
🛒 Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market | 10am-2pm | 1302 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and local makers. 1832 Farmers Market
🛴 Big BANG! Freedom on Wheels Play Street | 10am-12pm | South Main St (Chestnut to Pine), Bastrop | A car-free street for bikes, scooters, and skates, anything that rolls without a motor. City of Bastrop
🎉 Smithville Americana 4th of July & Texas 250th Parade | 10:30am | Main St, Smithville | The Main Street parade rolls with floats, golf carts, vintage cars, and patriotic bicyclists. Smithville 4th of July
🐸 Big BANG! Toads & Treasures: Stars & Stripes Hunt | 11am-6pm | downtown shops, Bastrop | A scavenger hunt for hidden toads through the downtown stores, with prizes. City of Bastrop
🥃 Open on the 4th at Copper Shot | 11am-10pm, live music from Rock House 6:30-9:30pm | Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop | Texas-made spirits, cocktails, and classic rock on the patio. Copper Shot Distillery
🎪 Big BANG! North Main Games | 5-7pm | North Main St (Chestnut to Spring), Bastrop | Old-fashioned field games like sack hops, water balloon toss, and cornhole. City of Bastrop
🎸 Alex Henley & The Exchange | Live Music | 6-9pm | Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard, 601 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Blues, rock, and soul in the yard. Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard
🍺 Smithville Brewing 4th of July Party | afternoon til 10pm, Sledge & Haney live | Smithville Brewing Company, 661 NW Loop 230, Smithville | A seafood boil and burger pop-up, extra bars, live music from Sledge & Haney, and views of the Smithville fireworks. Smithville Brewing
🎶 Sean Orr & Texas Gold | Live Music | 7:30-10:30pm | The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Texas country on the patio at Gracie's on the 4th. The Grace Miller
🏛️ Big Bang at the Museum | see site for times | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Family-friendly Independence Day programming at the museum downtown. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎆 Bastrop's Big BANG! Celebration & Fireworks | 6-9:30pm, fireworks at dark | Fisherman's Park, 1200 Willow St, Bastrop | Music, food and market vendors, bounce houses, water slides, a ninja course, and fireworks over the Colorado River. City of Bastrop
🛶 Fireworks on the River | Bastrop River Co. | evening, reservations required | launches from Fisherman's Park, Bastrop | Watch the Big BANG fireworks from the seat of a kayak on the Colorado River, a one-of-a-kind view offered just once a year with limited capacity, so book ahead. Bastrop River Co.
🎈 Smithville Americana Evening Celebration | afternoon through 9pm fireworks | Smithville VFW grounds, Smithville | A free hot dog meal, cake walk, family activities, live music and dancing, and a fireworks finale at 9pm. Smithville 4th of July
🎆 Elgin VFW 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks | 11am-11pm, fireworks at 9pm | Elgin VFW Post 6115, 118 Old Sayers Rd, Elgin | A free all-day celebration with live music, water slides, food and craft vendors, kids' activities, a patriotic reading of the nation's founding documents at 3pm, and a fireworks finale at 9pm. Elgin Courier
🎇 4th of July at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines | all day | 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek | A festive parade, kids' foam party, and a fireworks display out in Cedar Creek, geared to resort guests and day-pass holders. Hyatt Lost Pines
Sunday, July 5
🛒 Smithville Sunday Market | 10am-1pm | James H. Long Railroad Park, Main & 1st, Smithville | Locally grown, homemade, and handmade goods plus live music, rain or shine. Smithville Market
🎶 Huston Sonhouse | Live Music | 12-2pm | The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Sunday afternoon live music on the patio at Gracie's. The Grace Miller
🍺 Sunday Live Music | 4-6pm | Smithville Brewing Company, 661 NW Loop 230, Smithville | Weekly Sunday afternoon live music at the taproom, plus $5 frozen slushies. Smithville Brewing
Monday, July 6
🎉 Bastrop Rec Center 5th Birthday | Mix It Up Monday | runs July 6-11 | Bastrop Rec Center, 700 Farm St, Bastrop | The Rec Center celebrates five years with a themed week of free classes and daily prizes, starting with smoothie Monday. Bastrop Parks & Rec
🎬 Movie Monday | Space Adventure | 2-4pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A space-themed family movie with snacks for all ages. Free. Bastrop Public Library
Tuesday, July 7
🎉 Rec Center 5th Birthday | Twin Tuesday | all day | Bastrop Rec Center, 700 Farm St, Bastrop | Bring a friend to work out for free as the Rec Center birthday week continues. Bastrop Parks & Rec
🎈 Twisty Art Entertainment | Pecos Bill | 10:30am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Tall-tale storytelling with balloon twisting for the whole family. Free. Elgin Public Library
🌱 Tween Tuesday with Texas AgriLife | 4:30-5:30pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A hands-on program for tweens led by a Texas AgriLife presenter. Free. Bastrop Public Library
Wednesday, July 8
🎉 Rec Center 5th Birthday | Wellness Wednesday | all day | Bastrop Rec Center, 700 Farm St, Bastrop | Wellness-themed classes and prizes as the birthday celebration rolls on. Bastrop Parks & Rec
📚 Preschool Storytime | Swimming | 10:30am | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Stories, rhymes, and songs for little ones, part of Color Our World. Free. Bastrop Public Library
📖 Bilingual Storytime | Cookie Excavation | 10:30am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Bilingual stories plus a fun cookie archaeology craft for ages 6-9. Free. Elgin Public Library
🍻 Smithville Brewing Happy Hour | 4-7pm | Smithville Brewing Company, 661 NW Loop 230, Smithville | Midweek deals on wine and guest taps plus a weekly appetizer special. Smithville Brewing
🔮 Planning Ahead
A few things worth marking on your calendar (we will have full details as they get closer):
🎤 Thu Jul 9 | Open Mic Night | 6:30-9pm | Copper Shot Distillery, Bastrop | The monthly second-Thursday open mic returns to the patio. Copper Shot Distillery
🌿 Thu Jul 9 | Herbal Medicine Making 101 | Rhizome Revival, Bastrop area | A hands-on herbalism class on making infused oils, salves, and tinctures from your own garden and kitchen. Rhizome Revival
🍉 Fri-Sat Jul 10-11 | McDade Watermelon Festival | The 77th annual county tradition returns with a Friday street dance, Saturday parade, melon weigh-in and auction, live music, BBQ, and the free watermelon feast. McDade Watermelon Festival
🏞️ Sat Jul 11 | Springfest | 10am-2:30pm | Bastrop State Park, 100 Park Rd 1A, Bastrop | A free community celebration of the park's springs and natural history. Texas Parks & Wildlife
🏁 Sat Jul 11 | Race Night at Cotton Bowl Speedway | gates 5pm, racing 7pm | 1175 County Rd 202, Paige | South Texas Dirt Trucks headline a full night of IMCA dirt-track racing. Cotton Bowl Speedway
🎭 Jul 17 - Aug 2 | Anything Goes | Fri-Sat 6:30pm, Sunday matinees | Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St, Bastrop | Cole Porter's high-seas musical comedy takes the historic stage. Bastrop Opera House
🏆 Deadline Jul 13 | Bastrop County Best Nominations | Nominate your favorite local businesses, restaurants, and people before nominations close for the 2026 Bastrop County Best awards. Bastrop County Best
🎁 July Referral Prize | $50 to Numero 28
Share your unique referral link below with one friend who'd love a weekly dose of Bastrop County. Every referral through your unique link is an entry to win a $50 gift card to Numero 28 in Bastrop, with our winner drawn at the end of July.
How Did We Do?
Before you go
If you've got a flyer, an event, or a Bastrop County business worth featuring, hit reply. We read every email.
See you next Thursday, and have a happy, safe 4th of July out in the county.
Marilyn - The Bastrop Current