Spring is on the way!
Hey, neighbor. Welcome to Bastrop Current — a free weekly newsletter rounding up the best events, local news, and hidden gems across Bastrop County. Every Thursday morning, right to your inbox. Glad you're here.
📍 Local Spotlight: Hyperloop Plaza - Bastrop's Most Unexpected Hangout
Hyperloop Plaza
You've probably driven past the sign on FM 1209 and thought, what exactly is that place? We went to find out, and honestly, it's one of the coolest things happening in Bastrop County right now.
Hyperloop Plaza is a sprawling complex that somehow fits a convenience store, a pub, a barbershop, a paint-your-own-pottery studio, a full food menu, and a playground all in one spot. And it works. It feels like the kind of neighborhood gathering place Bastrop has been missing.
The anchor is the Boring Bodega, which is anything but. Quality snacks, a great non-alcoholic beer selection (Athletic Brewing fans, you're welcome), wines, cold brew, and a full menu that runs from all-day breakfast and lox bagels to gyro bowls, pizza, and a $6 kids menu. The food is genuinely good.
Right inside, Prufrock Pub is a proper bar with a gorgeous dark countertop, leather barstools, draft taps, and big screens for the game. The kind of place you sit down for one drink and somehow stay for three.
Throw in a playground, Café Monet for pottery painting on a date night or a family afternoon, and His & Her Barbershop when you need a fresh cut, and you've got somewhere you can take pretty much anyone.
Go check it out. It's worth the drive down FM 1209.
🗓️ What's Happening This Week
📌 ALL WEEK — February 17–27
📍 Multiple Bastrop County locations · Check your location for hours
Early voting runs Feb 17–27. Find your nearest voting location at the link above.
🔜 THURSDAY, February 19
📍 Bastrop Convention Center + Library + Museum + Film Alley · 8am–10pm · Ticketed
One of Texas's most beloved cowboy culture celebrations — runs Thu–Sat across four venues. Poets, Western musicians, chuckwagon breakfasts, youth events. Film Alley dinner shows: 12–1pm & 5:30–6:30pm ($10 + meal). More at lonestarcowboypoetry.com
📍 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop · 10:30am · See registration
Homeschool Outlet Program class exploring color and creative connection through hands-on art for youth 7–17.
📍 Elgin Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Depot St. · 4–7pm
Seasonal produce, local meats, homemade jams, unique gifts, and live music. A great Thursday evening tradition in historic Elgin./
Open Mic Night @ Mutt's Last Stand
📍 Mutt's Last Stand, Smithville · Evening
Weekly open mic — a beloved Smithville tradition. Share your talent or just enjoy local performers.
⭐ FRIDAY, February 20
📍 Convention Center + Library + Museum + Film Alley · 8am–10pm · Ticketed
Friday is the final full day of Western music, cowboy poetry, and Texas heritage. Film Alley dinner shows: 12–1pm & 5:30–6:30pm ($10 + meal). Full schedule at lonestarcowboypoetry.com
📍 1008 Water St., Bastrop · 9am · $8 non-members / Free for members
Full-body strength and conditioning — variety of equipment, all fitness levels welcome.
📍 711 Spring St, Bastrop · 7:30pm · $30 · ☎️ (512) 200-3826
Zany musical comedy — quirky middle-schoolers, catchy tunes, audience participation! Also Sat Feb 21 at 7:30pm & Sun Feb 22 at 2:30pm. ⚠️ Mature content; no children under 3.
📍 Hyperloop Plaza Boring Bodega, 865 FM 1209, Bastrop · Networking 5:30pm | Program 6:30pm
Bastrop County Conservatives monthly meeting with Texas Senator Charles Schwertner as guest speaker.
📍 Elgin (check elgintxchamber.com for venue) · Evening · Free — drink & popcorn included!
The Elgin Chamber screens this beloved romantic comedy. Free drink and popcorn. A great community night out!
⭐ SATURDAY, February 21
📍 Convention Center + Library + Museum + Film Alley · 8am–10pm · Ticketed
Last chance for chuckwagon breakfasts, final performances, and Western music across four Bastrop venues. Full schedule at lonestarcowboypoetry.com
📍 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop · 11:00am · See registration
Hands-on intro to scratchboard — scratch away a black surface to reveal color and detail beneath. Perfect for beginners of all ages.
📍 Historic Bastrop Square · 10am–2pm · Free admission
Locally sourced produce, honey, baked goods, dog treats, flowers, and handcrafted jewelry from your Bastrop County neighbors.
📍 711 Spring St, Bastrop · 7:30pm · $30 · ☎️ (512) 200-3826
Saturday evening performance of this hilarious award-winning musical. ⚠️ Mature audiences; no children under 3.
📍 The Owl, Elgin · Check elgintxchamber.com for time
Lily leads a discussion of Brandon Sanderson's novel. Sip something warm and talk books with the community.
🎤 Karaoke Night @ Mutt's Last Stand
📍 Mutt's Last Stand, Smithville · Evening
Karaoke every Saturday — Smithville's favorite laid-back hangout. Grab your friends and bring your best song.
⭐ SUNDAY, February 22
📍 711 Spring St, Bastrop · 2:30pm · $30 · ☎️ (512) 200-3826
Last chance to catch this hilarious musical — closing performance with audience participation! ⚠️ Mature audiences; no children under 3.
📍 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop · 2–4pm · Free — No registration needed
3rd Sunday Teen Art Club — painting, drawing, jewelry, photography, fashion, and more. Just show up!
📍 Railroad Park, Main & 1st St., Smithville · 10am–2pm · Free
All products locally grown, homemade, or handmade, plus live music! A beloved weekly tradition in the heart of Smithville.
⭐ MONDAY, February 23
📍 924 Main St., Bastrop · 4:30–5:30pm · Free to attend
Chamber ribbon cutting for one of Main Street's most anticipated new businesses! Veteran-owned, family-run wine bar & bottle shop with small-batch wines and a chef-driven menu. Owner John Wayne Formica is a classically trained French chef and longtime Bastrop resident.
📍 Lost Pines Elementary, Bastrop · 3:15–3:45pm
The Chamber's long-running initiative (since 2013) connecting local businesses with Bastrop ISD campuses in support of students.
⭐ TUESDAY, February 24
🎤 Karaoke Night @ Mutt's Last Stand
📍 Mutt's Last Stand, Smithville · Evening
Karaoke every Tuesday at Mutt's. Come sing your heart out in Smithville!
⭐ WEDNESDAY, February 25
📍 Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St · 5:00pm · See registration
Make your own glass hearts, flowers, or treasure bowls to take home! Great date night or family activity. Guided by instructor Manda Barnes.
📍 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bastrop · 12–1pm · Free
Free Wednesday yoga all February — gentle movement, all experience levels welcome. No membership or affiliation required.
Bastrop Current — Your Local Guide to Bastrop County
Always verify times and ticket availability directly with venues.
📅 Mark Your Calendar
⚔️ Sherwood Forest Faire Opens Feb 28!
The 17th annual medieval festival returns to McDade for eight weekends of jousting, falconry, live music, and 170+ artisan vendors on 25 beautiful acres in the Lost Pines. Kids under 6 get in free. Runs weekends Feb 28 through April 19, 10 AM to dusk. Full details and tickets. We'll have a full preview next week.
🛒 Sprouts Farmers Market Coming March 6 Burleson Crossing, Bastrop
Another big addition to Bastrop's growing retail scene. Sprouts will open its first Bastrop County location in early March. More details coming in a future issue.
⚡ Quick Hits from Around the County
🚌 Bastrop County is getting commuter bus service — Starting March 2, CARTS will launch weekday routes connecting Bastrop and Smithville to Round Rock, Georgetown, and downtown Austin. Rides are free during the initial rollout, so if you commute outside the county, this is a great time to give it a try. Check routes and schedules at RideCARTS.com.
📈 Major Tech Investment Coming to Bastrop County
A $440 million data center is planned for Cedar Creek, bringing a massive new infrastructure project that could cement Bastrop’s role in the regional tech economy. More buildings and expansion may follow. Full story via Community Impact
Burn ban still in effect — A reminder for anyone doing outdoor work this weekend: Bastrop County's burn ban remains active. No outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. With dry conditions continuing, check bastropcounty.gov before you light anything up.
New restaurants keep rolling in — Between LongHorn (last weekend), Sprouts (March), Texas Roadhouse, Chuy's, and First Watch all in the pipeline, Bastrop's dining scene is about to level up in a big way. See all new developments from Bastrop EDC. We'll keep tracking every opening.
That's your week, Bastrop County. Thanks for being here for issue two — it means the world. If you know someone who'd love this, the best thing you can do is forward it to one neighbor, friend, or coworker who wants to stay in the loop.
See y'all next Thursday. 🌲
— Bastrop Current
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