“It is by far the largest event of the year, and it is unique because it celebrates the founding of our community,” Bonnie Gonzalez, Communications Coordinator for the city of Dripping Springs, said. CENTURY NEWS FILE PHOTO BY JOHN PACHECO
2019 Founders Day approvals secured
The 2019 Founders Day Festival is approaching once again, and the City of Dripping Springs will celebrate its 32nd year on Friday, Apr. 26 through Sunday, Apr. 28. The Dripping Springs City Council finalized and approved the festival’s assemblage of elements, events, groups, and individuals at the Mar. 12 meeting at City Hall.
Participation Agreements were made between the City and the following:
VFW Post 2933and the American Legion Post 290 for parking on the Triangle;
Dripping Springs Lions Club for food vendor booths and the Mighty Thomas Carnival;
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church for arts & crafts and business booths;
Dripping Springs Cook-Off Club for Cook-Off sponsorship;
JBAR for portable restrooms and hand washing stations;
Church of Springs for waste removal; and
JP Musical Services Group for stage lighting and sound system.
Festival entertainment participation includes: Type A Band, People’s Choice, Wyatt Weaver Band, Lisa Litman Band, Rochelle and the Sidewinders, Carport Casanovas, Braydon Zink, Bobby Pounds, and Lonnie Atkinson.
Two stages and a VIP tent will be set up for entertainers in the parking lot area of Dripping Springs Outfitters, located at both 300 and 269 Mercer St.
The City also adopted a 2019 Resolution finding that the Founders Day Parade benefited the public purpose in a way that earned the authorization of the City’s support and cooperation. This formality ensures the cooperation of the state (TXDOT) and safety of the traveling public with the temporary closure of US Hwy 290 on Friday, Apr. 26 during the parade. Specifically the Hwy 290 west bound lanes from the intersection Ranch Road 12 to Sportsplex will be closed for the parade. Other streets, surrounding the Mercer St. event itself, were also approved for temporary closure.
All approved participation agreements were sponsored by Mayor Todd Purcell. The Mayor is part of a ten-member Founders Day Advisory Commission tasked with planning, promoting, managing and organizing the annual celebration. It includes representatives from both the DS City Council, and from organizations involved with the event. The commission is appointed by the DS City Council.