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Downtown Mercer Street overflowed with carnival rides, live music, and huge crowds this past weekend for the 36th annual Founders Day Festival. Visitors came from far and wide - and some from right down the street to enjoy this year’s Vegas- themed event.
Caroline Lewis, who lives within walking distance of Mercer, said it was her family’s first time to go to the festival.
“I loved that it is a free event to attend and that drinks and bbq were provided for donations,” Lewis said. “Our kids loved the carnival and made us go all three days!”
The crowds included many Founders Day veterans, as well. Laura Whittington and her family have been godrippingspringsnews.
ing to the Founders Day Festival for eight years. She said there were even more rides this year, and it was fun watching her kids run from one ride to the next on wristband day.
“It’s nice to look back on pictures where I am pregnant with my daughter and then see her running around riding all of the big rides today,” Whittington said. “It was a great time. I’m always worried it won’t feel like our small town anymore, but we manage to keep that energy every year and I love that about us in Drip.”
Whittington, who is a co-commissioner for the recreational cheer program of the Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association, said she participated in the parade as well.
“We had an incredible float in the parade filled with our amazing Tiger cheerleaders. The cheer program had another float with our competitive cheerleaders as well,” Whittington said. “The parade route was filled with the sounds of our Tiger spirit!”
The festival is also a hit with a lot of the local businesses. Dave Niemeyer, who owns Acopon Brewing and The Barber Shop with business partner John McIntosh, said both businesses set up bars out front to serve patrons.
“We have a lot of regulars at both businesses,” Niemeyer said. “This is an opportunity to see a bunch of new people, and especially here at the brewery, to introduce them to our beer, which you can't get anywhere else.”
Neimeyer said he enjoyed visiting with members of the cook club, which he also belongs to, and strolling the festival with his wife.
“It's definitely a good thing. One, it is fun,” Niemeyer said. “And yeah, it's good for business. I think it introduces us to people that don't venture down to Mercer Street and don't realize that this is actually downtown Dripping Springs.”
Brandy Hamilton, owner of Wildflour Scones in Yoakum, Texas, was a first-time vendor at Founders Day. She said she has been hearing about the event for several years, but this was the first time she was able to make it.
“It was a wonderful, family friendly festival,” Hamilton said. “I love that they have church service.”
Hamilton said she enjoyed the huge sense of community, and of people remembering their roots and celebrating the pioneers who founded Dripping Springs.
“It was a lovely experience all around, from the customers to the people who put the festival on,” Hamilton said. “Everything ran smoothly, everyone was helpful and kind and gracious. It was just really, really nice.”
Emily Nelson, Assistant Director for Parks & Community Services with the City of Dripping Springs, said Founders Day Festival is a true community event, organized through partnerships with organizations that reinvest proceeds back into Dripping Springs.
“The theme for the 36th year was 'Viva Las Drippin,' and it was so much fun to see it showcased in the parade and throughout the weekend,” Nelson said. “We couldn't make this happen without our sponsors, commissioners, partners, downtown businesses, and volunteers. We are deeply grateful for everything they have done to make the 2025 Founders Day Festival a success. We can’t wait to see everyone back next year.”
