Downtown Business Alliance

The Downtown Business Alliance is a group of business owners and individuals interested in maintaining the integrity of Bastrop’s historic downtown district as a center of community activity, as an attractive and compelling visitor destination, and most importantly, as the heart and pride of a fast-growing city within one of the most historic and naturally unique areas in Texas.

Our membership’s goal is to work with all business and organizations to ensure our old town, our parks, our historic trails and our natural wonders thrive.

The Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), in conjunction with the Texas Main Street Program and the Preserve America Program, is striving to generate interest in and recognition of the heritage and beauty of the area by structuring events held on the streets and in the parks of the historic district.

2008 Calendar of Events


Second Saturday Salebrations


Special Events


Yesterfest                                             Yesterfest 2008 Survey

Sponsored by the Bastrop Opera House & The Downtown Business Alliance (DBA).

Bastrop, the original Stephen Austin "little" settlement, celebrated its 175th birthday in 2007.

This year, Yesterfest again celebrates that birthday with a festival honoring a heritage of many cultures, especially the African, Mexican, Indian, German, Czech, Scottish, and the unique culture of the Cowboy. Each of the seven cultures will demonstrate their unique contributions with costumes, food, demonstrations, artisans, music, arts and crafts. Come enjoy the fun!

Downtown will be filled with demonstrations from making flour tortillas, tanning and tooling leather, butter churning, and hair braiding to playing Faro. Festival participants can taste wonderful foods including fried chicken, black-eyed peas, tacos, fried bread, turkey legs, cowboy stew and even more ethnic treats. They can attend folk dancing demonstrations, clogging demonstrations and enjoy radio plays at the Opera House.

The streets of Bastrop are lined with historically designated homes and buildings reflecting the richness of our heritage, and the Historic Society will be on hand in front of significant downtown buildings and atop horse-drawn carriages to show off and explain the beautiful architecture and history the old structures tell.

Music and folk demonstrations are scheduled from 10:00 am through the close of the festival. Participants can listen to folk music, see and hear celtic dancers and music, sing with the mariachis and learn about lost love with the country-western musicians. Polka to the German band, harmonize with the gospel singers and rock with the rhythm and blues bands. Downtown businesses will be open and welcoming customers in period costume. Over 100 vendors will participate in the event offering goods and services.

Walking Tour of Historic Bastrop (PDF)

Schedule of activities (PDF)


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For further information, contact:

Registration Form (Word)

Vendor's Map (PDF)


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