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The Hill Country Just Won Something
Recognized as Texas Venture Fest of the Year for rural innovation. Plus 30+ summer events, Cookie needs a home, and Hazel Mae answers your tomato question.
Julius Dulalia
June 18, 2026
The Townie
Know the backroads. Use the front door.
Hill Country neighbors,
Something arrived a few weeks ago — not literally, but in the way good news travels out here, from somebody who heard it from somebody, by way of a phone call or a text or a mention at the feed store. The Hill Country Venture Fest was just named the 2025 Texas Venture Fest of the Year by the Texas Venture Alliance, at the state capitol in Austin — out of fifteen-plus cities statewide. The Hill Country was recognized as a model for rural innovation.
On October 1, Hill Country students take that same stage in Mason. Free to attend. We’ll have more on what this means for the kids, the region, and local businesses in this week’s feature. For now: good things happen out here. Sometimes the rest of the state notices.
Read on for 30+ events, the Hill Country briefing, Hazel Mae & Fern, your horoscope, and a sweet dog named Cookie who needs a home.
30+ events across the Hill Country this week & ahead
Texas country legend Rodney Crowell live at the Rockbox in Fredericksburg. One of the most distinctive voices in American song — a full evening of his own catalog. Tickets at rockboxtheater.com.
Monthly antiques, crafts, and food market — one of the largest in the Hill Country.
Brady’s July Jubilee hits its 100th year. Parade around the courthouse square at 10 AM, then Bart Crow closing the night. A Hill Country Fourth worth the drive.
Texas country institution Pat Green kicks off 4th of July weekend the right way.
Fredericksburg’s classic Independence Day celebration — parade down Main Street followed by an evening fireworks show.
The annual Mason Roundup Rodeo — bulls, broncs, barrel racing, and the Hill Country summer tradition.
Plus 24 more events including Gary Allan, Pat Green at Luckenbach, Mason Roundup Rodeo, America 250 celebrations in Mason and Llano, Honey & the Hillbillies, and the Fort Mason 175th Anniversary. Full list in the edition →
Read the full edition →Our Venture Fest was just named Texas Venture Fest of the Year.
The Hill Country Venture Fest was named the 2025 Texas Venture Fest of the Year by the Texas Venture Alliance — recognized as a model for rural innovation ecosystems among programs in 15+ cities across the state. October 1 in Mason. Free to attend. The stage is here.
“This award belongs to the Hill Country communities who showed up — the students who pitched their ideas, the business owners who sponsored, and the towns that said yes. We’re just getting started.”
Katie Milton Jordan · Festival Organizer
Watch the 2025 promo film, save October 1, and tell a kid with an idea. Full story in this week’s edition.
Watch the 2025 promo film →Go deeper every Thursday with members-only Hill Country business intelligence.
What’s this week: the difference between the tourist customer and your regular, plus three rural grant windows open right now — the USDA REDLG deadline is June 30 and most Hill Country operators don’t know about it.
Join the Business Circle · $10/mo →