Hey there, Bastrop County! Spring is in full bloom with our Elgin spotlight, and this week delivers one of the biggest lineups of the season. We've got FREE farm tours in Elgin, a horror convention taking over the Bastrop Convention Center, a heartwarming community lunch in Smithville, live music at every turn, and sunshine-worthy outdoor markets all county-wide.

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Let's get into it!

If you haven't made it to Off-The-Rails: Sweets 'N' Treats on North Main Street in downtown Elgin, you're missing one of the sweetest stops in the county. This charming little shop serves up Amy's Ice Cream, thick milkshakes, banana splits, and freshly baked treats. It's the perfect companion to a Thursday evening at the Elgin Farmers' Market - grab your dinner from the vendors, then walk over for dessert.

📍 310 N. Main St., Elgin, TX | https://linktr.ee/elginsweets

🗓️⭐ Explore Elgin Farm Tours — Saturday, March 28 | FREE

This Saturday, four local farms in the Elgin area are opening their gates for free guided tours as part of the City of Elgin's "Spring Awakening & Farm Tours" theme month. Tours are come-and-go style during each farm's posted hours - no registration required. Here's who's participating:

All tours are free and open to the public. 📍 elgintexas.gov announcement

If you're strolling downtown Elgin on a Thursday night for the Farmers' Market, make sure to pop into Elgin Dry Goods on North Main Street - one of the most beautifully curated boutiques in Bastrop County. Established in 2014 and proudly focused on Made in America products, this charming shop carries women's clothing, handbags, jewelry, candles, gourmet foods, coffee, vintage candy, soaps, and unique gifts you won't find anywhere else. They carry popular brands like Consuela and Ryan House Candles alongside locally sourced goods. Whether you're shopping for yourself or hunting for the perfect gift, Elgin Dry Goods delivers that warm, small-town boutique experience that keeps people coming back.

⏰ Mon–Fri: 12–6 PM | Sat: 10 AM–6 PM | Sun: 12–5 PM 📍 20 N. Main St., Historic Downtown Elgin 🔗 elgindrygoods.com

🌾 Elgin Farmers' Market 📍 Veterans' Memorial Park, 109 Depot St., Elgin | ⏰ 4–7 PM | 💰 FREE. Bastrop County's favorite Thursday night tradition is back! Local growers and makers bring seasonal produce, pastured meats, eggs, honey, jams, and handmade goods to downtown Elgin every week, rain or shine. Live music and evening shopping on Main Street round out the outing. 🔗 elginfarmersmarket.com | Facebook

🎸 Open Mic Night at Mutt's Last Stand 📍 205 NE Loop 230 (at Gresham St.), Smithville | ⏰ 7 PM | 💰 FREE to watch Every Thursday, Mutt's opens its stage to musicians, poets, comedians, and storytellers of all skill levels. Sign-up sheet closes at 6:45 PM - come early if you want a slot! Performers get 2–3 songs (10–15 minutes) each. Spectators are always welcome. 🔗 muttslaststand.com

🎸 Live Music at Copper Shot Distillery 📍 809 Main St., Downtown Bastrop | ⏰ 7–10 PM | 💰 No cover. Copper Shot Distillery features live local music every Friday and Saturday evening on their historic Main Street patio. Handcrafted moonshine, whiskey, vodka, and mixed drinks available on-site - food is welcome from the surrounding restaurants. Check their Facebook page for the Friday performer. 🔗 coppershotdistillery.com | Events Page

🍺 Friday Night at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard 📍 601 Chestnut St., Bastrop | ⏰ Open until 10 PM Fri–Sat. Ben Zuniga Trio LIVE at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard
3/27/2026 7:00 pm Ben Zuniga is a Texas born guitarist and singer/songwriter. He performs solo acoustic as well as full band, with styles ranging from Blues, Rock, Country and Americana. Bastrop's favorite open-air gathering spot is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Cold drinks, great food, yard games, and community vibes — this is what Bastrop Friday nights are all about. 🔗 Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard

🎸 Live Music at 602 Brewing Company 📍 919 Main St., Downtown Bastrop | ⏰ Kitchen open late, music on the patio. This family-owned craft brewery and restaurant features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Grab a pint of their small-batch beer, order from the farm-to-fork menu (don't skip Annie's Southwest Eggrolls), and settle in for a great evening on the beer garden patio. 🔗 602brewing.com | Events

🎭 Film Alley Bastrop 📍 1600 TX-71, Bastrop | ⏰ Multiple showtimes daily. Bastrop's hometown movie theater is your spot for Friday night films. Check the Film Alley website for current showtimes, ticket prices, and what's playing this weekend. 🔗 filmalleys.com/bastrop

🏰 Sherwood Forest Faire — Opening Weekend Continues 📍 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade, TX (entrance off US 290) | ⏰ 10 AM – dusk | 💰 Tickets required The 17th annual Sherwood Forest Faire runs every weekend through April 19, and this weekend is a great time to go. Over 150 live shows per day - full-contact jousting, falconry, swordplay, comedy, and 10+ live bands - plus 170+ artisan vendors and medieval food and drink on 25 wooded acres. Kids under 6 are free; discounted tickets available online. 🔗 sherwoodforestfaire.com | Explore Bastrop County

🌾 Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market 📍 1302 Chestnut St. (next to the Convention Center & Lost Pines Art Center), Bastrop | ⏰ 10 AM–2 PM | 💰 FREE entry. Open year-round every Saturday inside a charming covered barn, this market features fresh seasonal produce, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken and pork, eggs, local honey, handcrafted goods, prepared foods, jewelry, and more - all from Central Texas producers. 🔗 bastrop1832farmersmarket.com | Visit Bastrop

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Explore Elgin Farm Tours - FREE 📍 Four farms in the Elgin area | ⏰ 9 AM–12 PM (varies by farm) | 💰 FREE. See ⭐ FEATURED EVENT above for full details! 🔗 elgintexas.gov

🎪 Cult Classic Convention - Day 1 📍 Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, Bastrop | ⏰ 11 AM–7 PM | 💰 Tickets required. Horror fans, this one is for you! The Cult Classic Convention returns to the Bastrop Convention Center for a two-day celebration of horror and cult film culture. Meet celebrity guests, browse 100+ vendor booths packed with collectibles, props, and art, catch the film festival at the Hampton, and enjoy special displays of famous movie vehicles - including props tied to films shot right here in Bastrop County (hello, Texas Chainsaw Massacre). Costume contest, live music, and photo ops round out the weekend. 🔗 cultclassicconvention.com | Visit Bastrop | Tickets

🎨 Smithville Empty Bowl Project 📍 Smithville Recreation Center, 106 Royston St. (at Loop 230 & NW 1st), Smithville | ⏰ 11 AM–2 PM | 💰 $20/ticket. One of Smithville's most heartwarming annual traditions returns! In this national grassroots effort to fight hunger, guests enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread, then choose a student-handcrafted ceramic bowl to take home as a lasting reminder of food insecurity in our community. Proceeds go to the Smithville Food Pantry, Smithville Community Gardens, Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance, Smithville Community Clinic, and the S. Williams Angels Unaware Ministry. The Food Pantry now serves up to 180 families every week - your $20 ticket makes a real difference. 🔗 smithvilleemptybowl.org | Explore Bastrop County

🎸 Robert Parker Jr. at Copper Shot Distillery 📍 809 Main St., Downtown Bastrop | ⏰ 7–10 PM | 💰 No coverRaised by rock enthusiasts and surrounded by music his whole life, Robert Parker Jr. picked up the guitar in 2013 and hasn't looked back. Heavily influenced by the blues, he bridges American Roots with Psychedelic Jam Bands through gut-wrenching licks and powerhouse vocals. This is a great Saturday night on Main Street. 🔗 Copper Shot Event⛪ Worship Night at First Baptist Church Smithville 📍 First Baptist Church Smithville | ⏰ 6–8 PM | 💰 FREE

Come praise and worship with the Smithville community at First Baptist Church. This is an open evening of praise, singing, and God's Word - all are welcome. Come meet Pastor Daryl Huff and the church family! 🔗 Smithville Chamber Calendar

🏰 Sherwood Forest Faire 📍 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade | ⏰ 10 AM–dusk | 💰 Tickets required. See Friday listing above for full details. sherwoodforestfaire.com

🎪 Cult Classic Convention — Day 2 📍 Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, Bastrop | ⏰ 11 AM–7 PM | 💰 Tickets required

The convention continues! Grab a Sunday ticket to catch anything you missed yesterday — celebrity guests, vendor booths, film screenings, and all the cult classic fun. 🔗 cultclassicconvention.com | Tickets

🌾 Smithville Sunday Market 📍 Railroad Park, 100 NW 1st St. (at Main & 1st), Smithville | ⏰ 10 AM–2 PM | 💰 FREE A beloved weekly tradition in Smithville — this producers-only market features locally grown, homemade, and handmade goods from farmers, ranchers, bakers, mushroom growers, and artisans from across the county. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to meet your neighbors. 🔗 smithvillemarket.com

🧘 Chair Yoga at Smithville Public Library 📍 Smithville Public Library, Smithville | ⏰ Check library calendar for time | 💰 FREE. A gentle, all-ages yoga class using a chair for support — perfect for seniors, beginners, or anyone looking for a low-impact Sunday stretch. No mat needed! 🔗 Smithville Library — City of Smithville

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Capital of Texas Zoo 📍 376 Jenkins Rd., Cedar Creek | ⏰ 9 AM–5 PM daily | 💰 Adults $10.50 | Children (2–11) $7.99. Open 365 days a year, this intimate private zoo in the heart of Bastrop County is home to over 500 animals - including their famous hippo Tank (now 4,000 lbs!) and a white tiger named Rajah. Breeding programs for 14 endangered species, a petting zoo, interactive experiences, and a picnic pavilion make this a full family day out. 🔗 capitaloftexaszoo.org

🏰 Sherwood Forest Faire 📍 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade | ⏰ 10 AM–dusk | 💰 Tickets required. See Friday listing for full details. sherwoodforestfaire.com

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Social at the Rec — Elgin Recreation Center 📍 Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N. Hwy 95, Elgin | ⏰ 2–4 PM | 💰 FREE. The Elgin Rec Center hosts regular community social events for residents of all ages — a great low-key Monday activity to meet neighbors and stay connected. Check the Elgin Parks & Recreation page or call ahead to confirm this week's event format. 🔗 elgintexas.gov — Parks & Recreation

🍺 Copper Shot Distillery — Open 📍 809 Main St., Downtown Bastrop | ⏰ Mon–Thu 2–9 PM. The tasting room is open this Monday afternoon. Swing by for handcrafted spirits - moonshine, whiskey, vodka, and rum - all made with rainwater and local grains. Bring a friend & do a self-guided tour of their working still.🔗 coppershotdistillery.com

🏃 Wildcat Walkers — Elgin Recreation Center 📍 Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N. Hwy 95, Elgin | ⏰ Mornings | 💰 FREE. Wildcat Walkers is the Elgin Rec Center's beloved senior walking program - a fun, social way to stay active in a climate-controlled indoor gym. Walking milestones earn prizes: 100 miles = a shirt, 250 miles = a pedometer, 500 miles = a water bottle. All ages welcome, seniors especially! 🔗 elgintexas.gov — Sports & Athletics

🐣 Easter Storytime & Egg Hunt — Elgin Public Library 📍 Elgin Public Library, Elgin | ⏰ 10:30 AM | 💰 FREE

Grab the baskets and bring the little ones! The Elgin Public Library is hosting a morning of Easter fun featuring storytime filled with stories, songs, and giggles, followed by an egg hunt around the library grounds. There will even be a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself. A perfect Tuesday morning outing for families before the holiday weekend arrives. 🔗 Elgin Public Library

🌾 Eden East Farm Market 📍 Eden East Farm, Bastrop | ⏰ 9 AM–1 PM | 💰 FREE. Eden East Farm's twice-weekly farm stand is open every Wednesday and Saturday morning. This sustainable urban farm — now in historic Bastrop — offers seasonal vegetables, preserved items, fresh eggs, medicinal and culinary herbs, meats, and other locally grown goods direct from the source. 🔗 edeneastaustin.com/farm

⛪ First Wednesday Night Service 📍 Check your local Bastrop County church | ⏰ 7 PM. Many local churches across Bastrop County hold Wednesday evening services and Bible study. Check with First Baptist Bastrop, Faith Church, or your own congregation for this week's service details. 🔗 First Baptist Bastrop

🎨 First Friday Art Walk — April 3 | 6–8 PM | Downtown Bastrop Stroll historic Main Street for an evening of local art, live music, shopping, and dining across 16 participating galleries and venues — Bastrop's monthly art crawl is the perfect kickoff to the weekend. 🔗 Official Art Walk Site

🏃 Hells Hills Trail Race — April 4 Races: 50 mi, 50k, 25k, 10k, 25k Ruck, 10k Ruck, Youth 1 mi
Where: Rocky Hill Ranch, Smithville, TX. This event hosts a deceivingly tough course, at a really fun and easy to get to venue. If you are looking for your first trail run or to go further than ever before, come out and enjoy this beautiful course with an awesome set of well-made single track trails, bridges, stream crossings, pine trees, hill country flowers, and a whole lot of fun, passionate folks waiting to help you reach your goal. 🔗 Hells Hills Trail Race

🎪 Smithville Jamboree — April 9–11 | Smithville One of the biggest events of the spring season is just around the corner! The Smithville Jamboree returns for three days of live music, a parade, carnival, livestock show, beard contest, pet show, and more. This year's music lineup includes Los Texmaniacs with special guest Rick Trevino (Thursday), Ace Ahlbrandt, Wyatt Ellis, the Bellamy Brothers, and Lane Bricker (Friday), and Briana Adams, David Lewis, and a People's Choice set (Saturday). Tickets available now on Eventbrite. 🔗 jamboreesmithville.com | Tickets

🦁 Capital of Texas Zoo — Open daily 9 AM–5 PM | 376 Jenkins Rd., Cedar Creek | capitaloftexaszoo.org

🦕 The Dinosaur Park — Open daily | 4955 TX-21 E, Cedar Creek | thedinosaurpark.com

🌲 Bastrop State Park — Open daily | 100 TX-21 E, Bastrop | tpwd.texas.gov

🏰 Sherwood Forest Faire — Weekends through April 19, 10 AM–dusk | 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade | sherwoodforestfaire.com

🌟 Introducing Ask Bastrop - Built for This Community

We've been working on something new, and before we share it anywhere else — we're bringing it to you first. AskBastrop.com is officially in beta, and as a Bastrop Current subscriber, you're getting early access before anyone else hears about it.

Got a question about local events? Businesses? Things to do with the kids this weekend? Ask Bastrop is an AI-powered community hub designed to give you fast, local answers - no endless scrolling, no sifting through results from other states.

Here's the honest truth: it's new, it's still growing, and there are features still being added. That's exactly why we're starting with you. Your feedback will shape what this becomes - and that matters more to us than launching something perfect.

So visit the site, ask it something, and tell us what you think. What works? What's missing? What would make this more useful for your daily life in Bastrop County?

👉 AskBastrop.com You're not just the first to know - you're part of building this.

🔥 Spring Pine Fire at Bastrop State Park - 46 Acres, 100% Contained

The Spring Pine Fire that broke out Sunday evening, March 22, inside Bastrop State Park is now fully contained as of Tuesday, March 24. At its peak the fire burned 46 acres and prompted voluntary evacuations of the historic park cabins, three nearby private homes, and The Pines at Bastrop RV Park. Crews worked around the clock using bulldozers, water drops from a Texas Parks & Wildlife helicopter, and mop-up operations to bring it under control. No injuries or structural damage were reported, and all park roads and facilities are open. The cause remains under investigation. A burn ban is still in effect in Bastrop County - no charcoal or wood fires allowed.

🔗 KXAN | CBS Austin | KVUE

🚗 Eight Transportation Projects Underway

Bastrop County is in the middle of a major infrastructure push. Eight ongoing and upcoming projects include the Agnes Street extension (now complete), the Blakey Lane extension, Farm/Linden/Water Street pavement reconstruction, the Old Iron Bridge rehabilitation on Loop 150, a Hwy. 71/Tucker Hill Lane grade-separated overpass, the FM 812 improvement, the Hwy. 21 widening to four lanes, and the Hwy. 290 extension schematic study. 🔗 Community Impact — 8 Transportation Projects

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