Bastrop locals and visitors can make plans to attend a variety of events, from a watermelon festival and a Corvette car show to an interactive chemistry experiment and a rodeo. This list is not comprehensive. Event details are subject to change.

Family Film Festival

Families can watch a range of movies, including "The Land Before Time," "Bad Guys," "Shrek," "Minions: The Rise of Gru," "Shrek 2," and "Despicable Me 4." All proceeds from each showing will go toward the Bastrop Pregnancy and Resource Center.

Kids Day at CG

Community Gardens will host a kids' day, where participants will have access to carnival games, bounce houses, waterslides, a foam party, food, drinks and more.
McDade's Watermelon Festival will kick off at 8 p.m. on July 11. (Courtesy McDade Watermelon Festival)
McDade's Watermelon Festival will kick off at 8 p.m. on July 11. (Courtesy McDade Watermelon Festival)


McDade Watermelon Festival

Community members can enjoy a weekend of fun with a street dance, parade, 5k, barbecue cook-off, a car show and more activities for all ages.
  • July 11, 8-11:59 p.m. (street dance); July 12, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (festival)
  • $10 (ages 5 and older, street dance); free (festival entry)
  • Downtown McDade, 143 Bastrop St., McDade
  • www.mcdadetexas.com


Live music with Letha Mignon

Attendees can spend the evening listening to a music performance by the longtime local artist.
Corvette Invasion will take place at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center on July 18. (Courtesy Corvette Invasion)
Corvette Invasion will take place at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center on July 18. (Courtesy Corvette Invasion)
Corvette Invasion


The 12th annual event will feature live music, refreshments and a guest speaker. The first 300 registrants can participate in the Friday night meet-and-greet. Saturday’s agenda includes the car show, followed by the awards ceremony.
  • July 18, 7-9 p.m. (meet-and-greet); July 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (car show)
  • $50 (registration), Free (admission)
  • Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop
  • www.corvetteinvasion.com


Fire & Police Water Battle

Individuals can get to know the city’s firefighters and police officers as they battle against them with reusable water balloons. Attendees can look forward to waterslides, a splash pad, food vendors and a snow cone vendor.

The Great CASA Casino


Locals can spend an evening engaging with a wild card game, bingo and auction prizes while enjoying complimentary wine and beer, along with a dinner and dessert buffet. The event will benefit CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties and the Smithville Chamber of Commerce.
  • July 19, 5:30-10:30 p.m.
  • $85 (individual tickets), $150 (two tickets), $65 (tickets at the door after 7 p.m.)
  • Smithville Recreation Center, 106 Royston St., Smithville
  • www.casabfl.org


The Chemistry Road Show

Texas A&M University College of Arts’ public service program will educate and engage attendees through the exploration of chemistry. Audience members may interact with the experiments.
  • July 22, 2-3 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop
  • Facebook: Chemistry Road Show


Readers’ Jubilee


Elementary school-aged children can participate in activities and hands-on games at this after-hours event.
The Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo will feature a range of events for attendees to watch including mutton bustin', rodeo slack and team roping. (Courtesy City of Bastrop By Terry Hagerty Photography)
The Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo will feature a range of events for attendees to watch, including mutton bustin', rodeo slack and team roping. (Courtesy City of Bastrop, Terry Hagerty Photography)
78th annual Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo

Community members can watch various events, including team roping, mutton bustin’, 4D jackpot barrel and rodeo slack. There will also be live music performances by People’s Choice Band and Jacob Stelly, along with a parade, vendors and more.