Busy Weekend in Bastrop County!
Welcome to this week's edition of Bastrop Current - Your Local County Guide!
Welcome to another packed week in Bastrop County! We're kicking off with a big one! Bastrop's very first Sprouts Farmers Market opens its doors Friday morning, and the grand opening deals are worth setting your alarm for. Friday also brings International Women's Day celebrations right on Main Street, and if you're headed to McDade, the Texas Independence Day Jam is a FREE three-day music festival with free camping -yes, really. Sherwood Forest Faire rolls into Weekend 2, the Lenten Fish Fry is back at Ascension Catholic, and Saturday is absolutely stacked from 9am to late night. However you want to spend your week, Bastrop County has you covered. Let's get into it!
🌟 LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Hope Floats Café - Smithville
If you've been looking for a reason to head into Smithville, Hope Floats Café just gave you one.
Tucked into a cozy brick building at 109 NW 2nd Street, Hope Floats is one of those places that feels like a discovery - the kind you want to tell everyone about. Owners Ryan and Regina Blackmore named their café after the beloved 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., much of which was filmed right here in Smithville. That local connection runs deep, and you can feel it the moment you walk in.
Regina's Louisiana roots inform a menu built around Cajun comfort food done right. Think baked brie, stuffed burgers, a standout chicken sandwich, shrimp and grits, and big homemade cookies that deserve their own spotlight. The atmosphere is relaxed and a little nostalgic, exposed brick lines the walls, and the whole vibe says stay a while. It's BYOB, so grab your favorite beverage and settle in.
🕐 Hours: Wed, Sun & Mon - 7am–3pm Thurs–Sat - 7am–8pm 📍 109 NW 2nd St, Smithville 📞 (512) 575-3585 🔗 hopefloatscafe.com
💎 COMMUNITY TREASURE: Smithville Sunday Market
Every Sunday morning through May, Railroad Park in downtown Smithville transforms into one of the county's most charming weekly traditions. The Smithville Sunday Market runs 10am–2pm and brings together local farmers, artisans, and makers - plus live music to set the mood.
It's the kind of event that reminds you why small-town life is worth celebrating. Come hungry, bring a tote bag, and plan to stay longer than you think you will.
📍 Railroad Park, Main & 1st St, Smithville 🕐 Sundays, 10am–2pm (through May) 🔗 smithvillemarket.com
📌 UPCOMING: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 9–11 | Smithville Jamboree One of the county's most beloved annual festivals returns to Vernon L. Richards Riverbend Park. 📍 Riverbend Park, Smithville
📰 LOCAL NEWS
🍷 Pluto's Wine Bar Now Open in Downtown Bastrop A new dining destination has arrived on Main Street. Pluto's Wine Bar, owned by Bastrop resident and veteran John Wayne Formica, opened in January at 924 Main St. (the former CC Wine and Co. space). Classically trained in French cuisine with experience from Sorrento, Italy to Los Angeles, Formica describes it as a welcoming neighborhood spot with a chef-driven menu, curated domestic and international wines, and an atmosphere built for everyday gatherings and special occasions. Private events: [email protected]. 📍 924 Main St, Bastrop
🚌 New CARTS Commuter Service — Free Rides to Austin As of March 2, Bastrop and Smithville residents have a new option for beating I-71 traffic. CARTS launched free express commuter bus routes connecting Bastrop and Smithville to Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown. Check carts.org for schedules and stop locations.
🏎️ Tyler Reddick Makes NASCAR History - Right Down the Road Last Sunday, our nearest racetrack made national headlines. Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 1 - his third consecutive win to start the 2026 season, a historic achievement. COTA is just 30 minutes from Bastrop and worth putting on your bucket list!
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