Welcome to this week's Bastrop Current - Your Local Bastrop County Guide!

What a week we've got, Bastrop County! Thursday kicks off with the Farm Street Opry and a community paint night benefiting the Bastrop Emergency Food Pantry. Friday brings the First Friday Art Walk to downtown Bastrop, a BBQ fundraiser, polocrosse under the lights in Coupland, and Good Friday services for those observing. Saturday is absolutely packed - Easter egg hunts, a crawfish cook off with Cory Morrow, the Hells Hills Trail Race, a benefit for Wade Becker, Events on Main, and live music everywhere. And then it's Easter Sunday - sunrise services, brunch, egg hunts, and Sherwood Forest Faire for the family.

I had the pleasure of meeting Terry this week up at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard to hand off her $50 Neighbor's gift card - and what started as a quick congratulations turned into a wonderful conversation. Terry is a bird watcher among many other interests, and she tipped us off to something really exciting: Bastrop's Painted Wings Birdfest, coming May 1-2 to Downtown Bastrop! The festival celebrates World Migratory Bird Day and Bastrop's designation as a Bird City Texas community, with events at Bob Bryant Park, Bridges Emporium, 602 Brewing, Lost Pines Art Center, Fisherman's Park, and Film Alley. More details coming as we get closer.

Thanks for reading the Bastrop Current, Terry- and for the great tip! 🐦

Want to win a local gift card? Refer 5 friends using your link at the bottom of this email and you're in the monthly drawing! Some people are close!

Whether you're hunting eggs, hunting art, or hunting a great brunch spot - your week starts right here. Let's go!

🍽️ Maverick's Roadhouse | Hyatt Regency Lost Pines | Open Daily, 11 AM - Midnight Did you know you don't have to be a hotel guest to eat and drink at the Hyatt? Maverick's Roadhouse is a casual Texas roadhouse with a dog-friendly outdoor patio, a playground and fire pits nearby for before & after dinner play, lounging, eclectic art, and great vibes. We recommend it for appetizers, desserts, and drinks - the Bavarian Pretzel and Fried Cheese Curds and nearby family areas are worth the drive. No reservations needed, just walk in. Visitor parking is $8.99 - ask the restaurant about validation when you arrive. 📍 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek 🔗 lostpinesresortandspa.com/dining

First Friday, Every Month | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

There's no better way to kick off the weekend than with Bastrop's beloved First Friday Art Walk. Every first Friday, Main Street comes alive with 16+ galleries, shops, and restaurants throwing open their doors for an evening of art, live music, and community connection.

Stroll the sidewalks, meet local artists, discover new galleries, and soak in the creative energy that makes downtown Bastrop so special. Grab dinner at one of the downtown restaurants while you're at it - most have specials running for the event.

📍 Main Street, Downtown Bastrop 🔗 dbabastrop.wixsite.com/bastrop-downtown/artwalk

🎶 Live at Copper Shot Distillery | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Live music from local musicians kicking off your Thursday night right in downtown Bastrop. 📍 Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop 🔗 coppershotdistillery.com

🌾 Elgin Farmers' Market | 4:00 - 7:00 PM Year-round Thursday market with local produce, honey, baked goods, handmade items, and live music in downtown Elgin. One of the best ways to spend a Thursday afternoon. 📍 Veterans' Memorial Park, Downtown Elgin 🔗 elginfarmersmarket.com

🎤 Open Mic Night at Mutt's Last Stand | Sign-up by 6:45 PM Weekly open mic for musicians, poets, comedians, and storytellers. First-come, first-served sign-up. Each performer gets 2-3 songs or about 10-15 minutes. 📍 Mutt's Last Stand, 205 NE Loop 230, Smithville 🔗 facebook.com/muttslaststand

🎶 Music in the Park | Smithville | 6:00 - 8:30 PM Envy of Them All w/ Orion Robinson perform live at the Gazebo Park in Smithville. Bring a blanket and enjoy a beautiful evening of live music under the stars! 📍 Gazebo Park, Smithville 🔗 facebook.com/SmithvilleMainStreet

🍔 Burger Night at Store House Market & Eatery | Evening Thursday means burgers at Store House. Pair one with a craft beer and you've got yourself a great night. 📍 Store House Market & Eatery, Bastrop 🔗 storehousebastrop.com

🥁 Drum Circle at Vibe Tribe | 5:30 PM Monthly community drum circle on First Friday - no experience necessary! Just bring your energy and your rhythm will follow. 📍 Vibe Tribe, 1105 Main St, Bastrop 🔗 instagram.com/vibetribetx

🖼️ First Friday Art Walk | 6:00 - 8:00 PM Downtown Bastrop's signature monthly event! 16+ galleries, live music, local artists, great food, and community vibes. See the Featured Event section above for full details. 📍 Main Street, Downtown Bastrop 🔗 dbabastrop.wixsite.com/bastrop-downtown/artwalk

🌾 Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Your Saturday tradition! Local produce, artisan goods, baked goods, grass-fed beef, farm-fresh eggs, honey, and handcrafted goods from your Bastrop County neighbors. 📍 1302 Chestnut St, Bastrop 🔗 bastrop1832farmersmarket.com

🌾 Eden East Farm Stand | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Hyper-seasonal produce from this beloved Bastrop farm. 📍 Eden East Farm, Bastrop 🔗 facebook.com/edeneastfarm

🌾 Smithville Sunday Market | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Weekly farmers market in downtown Smithville with local vendors, produce, handmade goods, and live music. 📍 James H. Long Railroad Park, Main & 1st St, Smithville 🔗 smithvillemarket.com

🏃 Wildcat Walkers (Seniors 55+) | 8:00 - 10:00 AM Free walking group for active older adults in a climate-controlled gym. A great way to start the week! Monday through Saturday. 📍 Elgin Recreation Center, Elgin 🔗 elgintexas.gov/556/Elgin-Recreation-Center

🧘 Community Yoga Bastrop | Check schedule Weekly yoga classes for all levels. Check Community Yoga Bastrop on Facebook for the current Monday schedule. 📍 Bastrop 🔗 facebook.com/communityyogabastrop

🍺 602 Brewing Happy Hour | Weekday afternoons Kick back after the holiday weekend with happy hour inside or in the Beer Garden. Open weekday afternoons. 📍 602 Brewing Co, 919 Main St, Bastrop 🔗 602brewing.com

⛸️ Skate Night | 6:00 - 8:00 PM FREE weekly skate night for ALL ages! One of Elgin's best family activities runs every Tuesday, March through November. Lace up and roll out! 📍 Elgin Recreation Center, Elgin 🔗 elgintexas.gov/556/Elgin-Recreation-Center

🏃 Wildcat Walkers (Seniors 55+) | 8:00 - 10:00 AM 📍 Elgin Recreation Center, Elgin 🔗 elgintexas.gov/556/Elgin-Recreation-Center

🍺 602 Brewing Happy Hour | Weekday afternoons 📍 602 Brewing Co, 919 Main St, Bastrop

🌾 Eden East Farm Stand | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Fresh local produce midweek - one of the few Wednesday farmers markets in the county! 📍 Eden East Farm, Bastrop 🔗 facebook.com/edeneastfarm

🎱 BINGO at Bastrop Beer Company | Weekly Wednesday night BINGO with cold brews. A Bastrop favorite. 📍 Bastrop Beer Company 🔗 bastropbeerco.com

🍷 Wine Not? Wednesdays + Live Music | Store House Market & Eatery Wine specials plus live music - the perfect midweek treat. 📍 Store House Market & Eatery, Bastrop 🔗 storehousebastrop.com

🐴 Hooves & Horns Petting Zoo | Hyatt Regency Lost Pines | Daily, 9:30 - 10:30 AM & 5:30 - 6:30 PM Meet the resort's resident Texas longhorns, alpacas, miniature horses, goats, Kune Kune pigs, and donkeys! The morning petting zoo is open 9:30-10:30 AM daily, and animals come out again by the pool at 5:30 PM. Visitor parking is $8.99 - a fun activity for families in the area! 📍 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek 🔗 lostpinesresortandspa.com/things-to-do/mascots

🏊 Day Passes | Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Want the full resort experience without booking a room? Day passes are available through ResortPass (starting around $50) and include access to the water park, lazy river, pools, and complimentary self-parking. 🔗 resortpass.com/hotels/hyatt-regency-lost-pines-resort-and-spa

🦎 Capital of Texas Zoo | Open Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 27 acres of wildlife right here in Bastrop County. Open 365 days a year - including Easter! A great family outing any day of the week. 📍 376 Jenkins Rd, Cedar Creek 🔗 capitaloftexaszoo.org

🌲 Bastrop State Park | Open Daily Over 6,000 acres of Lost Pines forest with hiking trails, fishing, swimming (seasonal), camping, and nature programs. Check with the park for any ranger-led programs this week. 📍 100 Park Rd 1A, Bastrop 📞 (512) 321-2101 🔗 tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bastrop

🎨 Lost Pines Art Center | Gallery Hours Explore the rotating exhibits and gallery at Bastrop's community art center in the heart of downtown. 📍 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop 🔗 lostpinesartcenter.org

🎭 RENT at Bastrop Opera House | Opens April 10 The iconic rock musical comes to Bastrop! Unforgettable rock anthems and raw emotion. Directed by Lisa Holcomb. Mature audiences only. 📍 Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St, Bastrop 🔗 bastropoperahouse.org

🪞 Tuft It Out Together - Tufted Mirror/Rug Class | April 26 & May 2 | FREE A 2-day class by Pink Love Houston at the Mary Nichols Art Center. Design and craft your own custom tufted mirror or rug! Only 6 spots available. All materials provided. Children under 13 must partner with an adult. Register at lostpinesartisansalliance.org. 📍 301 Burleson St, Smithville 🔗 lostpinesartisansalliance.org

📰 Smithville | Jamboree Carnival Kicks Off April 8 The Smithville Jamboree carnival opens Wednesday evening, April 8, ahead of the full three-day festival running April 9-11. This year's headliners include Los Texmaniacs with Rick Trevino, the Bellamy Brothers, and Briana Adams. Riverbend Park will be buzzing all weekend.

📰 Bastrop | Bastrop Opera House Brings RENT to the Stage The Bastrop Opera House announces its April production of RENT, the Tony Award-winning rock musical, opening April 10 and running through May 3. Directed by Lisa Holcomb, the production is for mature audiences. Tickets available at bastropoperahouse.org.

📰 Bastrop | Sherwood Forest Faire Enters Final Weekends The 17th annual Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade has only a few weekends remaining before closing on April 19. If you haven't made it out yet, the next three weekends are your last chance to catch jousting, artisan shopping, and medieval entertainment right here in Bastrop County.

The Bastrop Current is your weekly community guide for Bastrop County — covering Bastrop, Smithville, Elgin, McDade, and Paige. Know of an event or business we should spotlight? Reply to this email and let us know!

See y'all next Thursday.

Bastrop Current