Every last weekend in April, Dripping Springs shuts down Mercer Street all the way to the old Admin building parking lot and kicks off one of its biggest traditions: the Founders Day Festival. If you’re from here, you know the drill — parades, fair rides, live music, vendors, the smell of barbecue in the air, and running into just about everyone you’ve ever met. This year, the theme was Viva Las Dripping Springs, and it was easily my favorite Founders yet!
The festival officially started Friday night with the Grand Parade at 6:30 p.m. Magnolia Realty had a float for the third year in a row. Kregg Lemons stole the show dressed up as Elvis, danced the entire parade route, and we handed out handfuls of candy as the crowd lined Mercer Street. Even though it sprinkled on us for a little while, the rain didn’t dampen the fun — thousands (it felt like hundreds of thousands!) of locals and Hill Country residents showed up with lawn chairs, wagons, and their best parade energy. After the parade, we hit the carnival where the kids fueled up on funnel cakes, wandered around with friends, and waited in lines for the rides under the carnival lights.
Saturday was packed from morning till night. I worked the Magnolia Realty booth that morning, where we handed out free Magnolia totes, Magnolia Journal magazines, lemonade, and even spiked lemonade for the adults wandering by. The festival stretches across three days, but Saturday is always the biggest — live music, cook-off competitions, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, and the streets buzzing with families and friends catching up.
Kristi Metcalf and I were asked to be BBQ chicken judges for the cook-off, some guy needed more volunteers and Kristi jumped on the opportunity and drug me along with her! We ate about 20 pieces of chicken, cleansing our palates between each bite with celery and crackers like we were at some kind of barbecue version of a wine tasting. It was weird and hilarious, and probably the most Founders Day thing I’ve ever done.
That night, I took the kids back to the carnival by myself, and it felt like the entire middle school and high school had taken over. The Zipper and Blackout rides were packed, and the kids couldn’t get enough. There’s something about being at the carnival at night, with the music, the lights, and the smell of fried everything, that feels nostalgic.
Sunday morning started with One Church, a beautiful tradition where local churches gather for a combined outdoor worship service at the main concert stage. Afterward, the booths opened back up for one last long shift before closing at 5.
The Founders Day Festival is hosted every year by the City of Dripping Springs and the Founders Day Commission and has been going strong since the first settlers founded this town in 1850. It’s easily the most anticipated event of the year in Drip!
This year, the weather stayed mostly perfect — a rare treat for Texas in April since we have been rained out on at least 1 day the last 2 years— and it ended up being the funnest Founders I’ve ever had. Candy, friends, fair rides, barbecue, Elvis, and spiked lemonade — what more could you ask for?
If you’ve never been, mark your calendar now for the last weekend of April next year. You’ll find yourself right in the heart of Dripping Springs, exactly where you’re supposed to be… and look for me on the Magnolia Realty parade float!
If you are thinking about moving to the Dripping Springs or Texas Hill Country area and want to connect about this amazing lifestyle then give me a call! 512-569-8480
