Good morning, Bastrop County! 🤠
We start the week slow and end it full. Monday is Labor Day, so the libraries and city offices mostly go dark and the county gets a quiet morning to itself. Then it builds. By Saturday the 12th there is more going on than one person can reasonably do: the Nocturn Market lighting up Elgin after dark, Cowboy Heritage Day at the museum, the Feed the Need Gala downtown, and a full slate of live music from McDade to Smithville.
Before all that, Thursday brings Sip, Shop & Stroll back to downtown Elgin for a SIP-tember evening, and Friday night football is home in both Bastrop and Smithville. The Soul Circuit photography exhibit is still up at the museum all week, which pairs about perfectly with the cowboy theme.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and let’s dig in. Want more than just this week? Our Bastrop County events guide runs year round.
Missed us last issue? Catch up here.
👥 Join the conversation
Our Bastrop Current Community Group on Facebook is where neighbors drop flyers, ask for recommendations, and share what they wandered into last weekend. Come join us.
✨ This Week’s Feature | Elgin’s Nocturn Market After Dark
Elgin is trying something new after dark. On Saturday, September 12, the ACC Elgin campus fills with string lights and lanterns for the Nocturn Market, a shop-local-after-dark market from 5 to 10pm. Expect artisan vendors, food trucks, live music and a glowing, family-friendly evening. Admission is free.
It runs on second Saturdays, so if this one takes off it will be a monthly thing to watch for. Bring a little cash for the makers and plan to wander. Nocturn Market
That same morning | Cowboy Heritage Day at the Museum
Earlier that day, the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center hosts Cowboy Heritage Day, 11am to 2pm, with live demonstrations, historic photographs and artifacts, cowboy stories and songs, and hands-on activities for all ages, celebrating the cowboy spirit that helped shape Bastrop County.
It shares the building with the museum’s Soul Circuit: Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas exhibit, a traveling Humanities Texas show on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas, on view through September 19. See the demonstrations, then walk straight into the gallery.
Visit: 📍 Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | 🗓️ Cowboy Heritage Day, Sat Sep 12, 11am-2pm | 🌐 Bastrop County Historical Society
🗓️ Bastrop County Events | September 7-13, 2026
Monday, 🗓️ September 7 | Labor Day
🚫 Holiday closures | all day | Countywide | Bastrop Public Library, the Bastrop Recreation Center and Smithville city offices are closed for the holiday, and Elgin has no programs scheduled. City of Smithville
🖼️ Soul Circuit: Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas | 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit that carried the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas, including here in Bastrop County. Open on the holiday; on view Mon-Sat through Sep 19. Bastrop County Historical Society
💙 Divorce & Therapeutic Support Group | 6 - 7:30pm | Smithville Community Clinic, 1011 Alley A Ste C, Smithville | A free peer support group. Drop in for one session or the whole series. Smithville Area Chamber
Tuesday, 🗓️ September 8
🖼️ Soul Circuit Exhibit | 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas. On view Mon-Sat through Sep 19. Bastrop County Historical Society
🤸 Stretch Yourself Healthy | 7:45 - 8:45am | Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N Hwy 95, Elgin | Simple moves for flexibility, balance and fall prevention. City of Elgin
👟 Fit For Us | 11am - 1pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A free monthly fitness class for moms and kids 2 to 5, with a healthy-eating lesson and snacks. Bastrop County Cares
🦁 Smithville Noon Lions Club | 1pm | Quinto Patio, Smithville | The service club’s monthly meeting over lunch; visitors welcome. Smithville Area Chamber
📗 Afternoon Book Club | 2 - 3pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Discussing “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans over tea. Free. City of Elgin
🚐 Care-A-Van | Stony Point Park | 6 - 7pm | Stony Point Park, Bastrop | A free pop-up family resource stop with books, activities and local referrals. Bastrop County Cares
🧶 Stitch-Craft Society | Evening | 6 - 8pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Knit or crochet with company, limited supplies for beginners. Free. Bastrop Public Library
Wednesday, 🗓️ September 9
🖼️ Soul Circuit Exhibit | 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas. On view Mon-Sat through Sep 19. Bastrop County Historical Society
🇲🇽 Bebé Bilingüe | 10:30 - 11am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Cuentos y stories, canciones y songs for little ones. Free. City of Elgin
🎲 Senior Game Day | 12 - 3pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | An afternoon of games, laughter and friendly competition. Free. City of Elgin
☕ Coffee & Friends | The Food Pyramid | 3pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Coffee, conversation and a nutrition talk from Texas A&M AgriLife. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🏛️ Smithville Budget Workshop #4 | 5pm | Smithville City Hall, 317 Main St, Smithville | The fourth public workshop on the city’s coming budget. City of Smithville
💬 Keepin’ It Real Recovery | 6 - 7pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | A weekly peer recovery support group, open to all. Free. City of Elgin
🏛️ Elgin City Council Special Meeting | 6:30 - 7:30pm | Elgin City Hall, 310 N Main St, Elgin | A public meeting of the city council. City of Elgin
Thursday, 🗓️ September 10
🖼️ Soul Circuit Exhibit | 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas. On view Mon-Sat through Sep 19. Bastrop County Historical Society
🧶 Fiber Arts & Friends | 10am - 12pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Bring your knit, crochet or stitch project and craft in good company. Free. City of Elgin
🧘 Mommy & Baby Yoga | 11am - 1pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Gentle parent-and-baby yoga, a free monthly Bastrop County Cares family program. Bastrop County Cares
🥬 Elgin Farmers Market | 4 - 7pm | Veterans’ Memorial Park, 109 Depot St, Elgin | Produce, meats and baked goods with live music. SNAP accepted. Elgin Farmers Market
🛏️ Teen Thursday | Pillow Forts | 4:45 - 6:15pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Drop-in for ages 13 to 17; this week, build an epic pillow fort. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🛍️ Sip, Shop & Stroll | SIP-tember Nights | 5 - 7:30pm | Downtown Elgin | In-store specials and live music down Main Street on second-Thursday evenings. Free. Elgin Chamber of Commerce
🤝 Free Community Support Group | 6 - 7:30pm | Smithville Community Clinic, 1011 Alley A Ste C, Smithville | A free, welcoming weekly peer support group open to all. Smithville Area Chamber
Friday, 🗓️ September 11
🖼️ Soul Circuit Exhibit | 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas. On view Mon-Sat through Sep 19. Bastrop County Historical Society
🐱 Preschool Storytime | Purr-fect Kitties | 10:30am | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Books, songs and silly activities all about cats. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🧸 Little Learners | 10:30 - 11:30am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Storytime plus a craft for ages 4 to 6. Free. City of Elgin
🍳 Cooking Club | 12 - 1pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | A hands-on midday cooking program at the library. Free. City of Elgin
🧶 Stitch-Craft Society | 3 - 5pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Knit or crochet with company. Beginner supplies available. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🏈 Bastrop Bears vs. Belton | kickoff 7pm | Bastrop High School, 1614 Cedar St, Bastrop | A non-district varsity home game under the Friday night lights. Bastrop ISD Athletics
🎸 Live Music | The A-TX Rejects | 7 - 10pm | Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop | An alt-rock set on the Main Street patio. Copper Shot Distillery
🏈 Smithville Tigers vs. Giddings | kickoff 7:30pm | Smithville High School, 290 Melvin Bishop Dr, Smithville | The Tigers host Giddings at home. Smithville Tiger Sports
🎶 Live Music | Envy Of Them All | 7:30 - 10:30pm | The Grace Miller “Gracie’s”, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | A live band and a kitchen open late. The Grace Miller
🌟 Saturday, 🗓️ September 12 | The Big Day
🛍️ TSC Harvest Fest Vendor Market | 8am - 2pm | Tractor Supply, 437 State Hwy 71, Bastrop | A fall vendor market with handmade crafts, salsa, soaps, baked goods, plants, BBQ rub, herbal remedies, wood art and more. TSC Event Partners
✍️ Writing for Mental Health | 10 - 11:30am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | A reflective writing workshop for wellbeing. Free. City of Elgin
🥬 Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market | 10am - 2pm | 1302 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Produce, grass-fed beef, eggs, honey, plants and makers. Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market
🩺 The Source Mobile Women’s Clinic | 10am - 3pm | Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N Hwy 95, Elgin | A free mobile women’s health clinic. City of Elgin
🤠 Cowboy Heritage Day | 11am - 2pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Live demonstrations, historic photographs and artifacts, cowboy stories and songs, and hands-on activities for all ages. See our feature above. Bastrop County Historical Society
🌱 Plant Swap Bingo | 11am - 2pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Bring a plant, play bingo, take a plant home. Free. City of Elgin
🎤 Live Music | Bill Palmer | 2pm | The Front Room, 116 Main St, Smithville | A Texas singer-songwriter over an afternoon glass. Reservations 512-237-3626. The Front Room
🎸 Live Music | Clint Nygard | 4 - 7pm | Rising Sun Vineyard at Yegua Creek Brewery, 233 Edmonson Ranch Rd, McDade | Country, rock and Americana out on the vineyard. Yegua Creek Brewery
✨ Nocturn Market | 5 - 10pm | ACC Elgin Campus, 1501 W US Hwy 290, Elgin | Elgin’s second-Saturday shop-local-after-dark market: artisan vendors, food trucks, live music and glowing lights. Free admission. Nocturn Market
🍽️ Feed the Need Gala | doors 6pm, dinner 7pm | Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Dinner, dancing, live entertainment and an auction benefiting Feed the Need Missions. Feed the Need Missions
🎸 Live Music | Blues In The Night | 6:30 - 9:30pm | Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop | A four-piece blues band on the patio. Copper Shot Distillery
🎶 Live Music | Twisted Round | 7:30 - 10:30pm | The Grace Miller “Gracie’s”, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | A live band to close out Saturday night. The Grace Miller
Sunday, 🗓️ September 13
🛍️ Smithville Sunday Market | 10am - 2pm | James H. Long Railroad Park, Main & 1st St, Smithville | Locally grown, homemade and handmade, with live music. Free. Smithville Sunday Market
📚 BIPOC Book Club | 2 - 3pm | Chemn Cafe, Elgin | An Elgin Public Library book club that meets off-site over coffee. Free. City of Elgin
🔮 Planning Ahead
📬 In your inbox Thursday | Our Thursday issue lands with a fresh feature and the second half of the week. Watch for it.
🖼️ Through Sat Sep 19 | Soul Circuit: Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas | Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm | Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Its final days. A traveling Humanities Texas exhibition on the African American rodeo circuit and the heritage of Black cowboys in Texas. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎃 Sat Sep 19 | Harvest Fest at the Kerr Community Center | 9am - 3pm | Kerr Community Center, 1308 Walnut St, Bastrop | Local vendors, a concession stand, a bouncy house, and a free candy bag for every kid who attends. Kerr Community Center
🏁 Sat Sep 19 | Cotton Bowl Speedway Season Finale | gates 5pm, racing 7pm | 1175 CR 202, Paige | The last race night of the season, with dirt trucks, modifieds and stock cars. Cotton Bowl Speedway
🧠 Fri Sep 25 | Trivia Night at the Elgin Library | doors 7pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | The library’s first-ever trivia night. Free, ages 18 and up. Elgin Public Library
🐴 Sep 25 - 27 | 4th Annual Cowgirl Revival | Rebar Ranch, La Grange | A faith-and-friendship weekend of teaching, worship and cowgirl fellowship, about 45 minutes from Bastrop in Fayette County. Message Joy Cameron at 281-787-9481 to sign up.
🚂 Sat Oct 3 | Meet Me at the Depot returns | 9am - 12pm | Smithville MKT Depot, 102 NE 1st St, Smithville | The October installment of Smithville’s first-Saturday gathering. Free. Smithville Area Chamber
🧹 Sat Oct 3 | Smithville Community-Wide Garage Sale | 8am - 3pm | All over Smithville | Fifty-plus sales in one day. Registration closes Sep 30. Smithville Area Chamber
🐗 Oct 22 - 24 | 39th Annual Hogeye Festival | Downtown Elgin | BBQ pork cook-off, Cow Patty Bingo, live music all day, and the car and bike show. City of Elgin
🎄 Dec 11 - 13 | Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival | Sherwood Forest Faire, 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade | Live Celtic music, Highland games, artisans, mead and ales, and visits with Santa. Sherwood Forest Faire
🎁 September Referral Prize | $50 to Numero 28
Share your unique referral link below with one friend who’d love a weekly dose of Bastrop County, Texas. Every referral through your link is an entry to win a $50 gift card to Numero 28, the Italian wood-fired pizzeria and vineria on Main Street in Bastrop, with our September winner drawn at the end of the month.
How Did We Do?
✝️ Verse of the Week
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Before you go
If you’ve got a flyer, an event, or a Bastrop County business worth featuring, hit reply. We read every email.
Want your business in front of Bastrop County? Hit reply and ask about sponsoring an issue or being our Business of the Week.
See you Thursday.
Marilyn - The Bastrop Current