Rockwall’s Biggest Event Celebrates 168 Years With Community

Rockwall celebrated another successful Founders Day on Saturday, May 21, 2022 with hundreds turning out throughout the day for the community event at Harry Myers Park.

Photo Credit: A.J. Wesseler | 2022 Founders Day Main Stage

FREE ADMISSION. Throughout the day visitors listened to local musical acts, including Urban Renewal, Walk This Way, Chris Colston, Jason Boland and Kevin Fowler. Concert-goers brought chairs, blankets and coolers to enjoy the show at Harry Myers Park.

Inflatable slides, face painting and games were available for the kids, while Rockwall Parks and Recreation offered a number of other activities like kayaking in the lake! Creature Teacher hosted a session for kids to learn about animals and they got to watch as the staff presented all different kinds of animals.

Food trucks from around North Texas were also present for nearly the entire day, offering an array of foods ranging from barbecue to street tacos, not to mention traditional carnival and fair foods like corndogs, funnel cake and more!

All sorts of retail, arts and crafts vendors were there too! Local political, veteran non-profit organizations, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Posse and first responders were present offering information as well as activities for kids. The Breakfast Rotary managed parking across from the park for a $5 donation. Our family enjoyed parking at the Center and riding the trolley to the Festival.

Visitors could have spent all day in downtown from visiting vendors at the Farmers Market around the Rockwall Historic Courthouse. At San Jacinto Plaza there was a ceremony of The Butterfly sculptures designed and created by Brian Sartain and his team at City of Rockwall’s Parks and Recreation. Along with students from Rockwall High School and Rockwall Heath High School that painted them. As part of the city’s art in public places art project the sculptures will be displayed in Rockwall’s eight neighborhood butterfly parks, Lofland Park and San Jacinto Plaza. Also in downtown there were Living Statue performers, RHS Sting Acapella Group, RHS Walk the Line Acapella Group, Texas Saxophone Quartet and a Wine Stroll to many of the downtown businesses. The Rockwall School of Rock also did several numbers right in front of their downtown studio.

Founders Day Open Disc Golf Tournament

Photo Courtesy: Rockwall Parks and Recreation

Udisc announced the World’s Best Disc Golf Course and rated Rockwall as #94 out of 13,000!!! Rated as one of the best courses in Texas thanks to its beautiful location of Harry Myers Park and the course designer John Houck. To view the Founders Day Open winners visit the Chain Bombers East Side website for the professional and recreational player scorecards.

Downtown Rockwall Farmers Market

Photo Credit: Downtown Rockwall Farmers Market

Open Saturday mornings from May 7, 2022 – September 24, 2022. In addition to fruits and vegetables there is such a variety of items sold here. Including local honey, tamales, artisan bread, salsa, jelly, beef, pie, plants, bloody mary mix, coffee, pastries, olive oil, cheesecake and more! For more information about the vendors or to be a vendor please visit www.rockwallfarmersmarket.org.

Park and Ride

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Our Trolley Ride to Founders Day Festivities

This was our first family trolley ride and it was so nice! We were able to conveniently park at the Center and walk over to the Trolley stop. I’m so glad that the schedule was published so that we knew when to hop on the air conditioned vintage Trolley. All the seating areas had cup holders and leg room. The driver was a sweetheart and very hospitable.

Vendors

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Founders Day Vendor Stations

The Splash Pad Was Open

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Splash Pad and Kayak Pond Launch

Here, Hold My Shoes

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Jason enduring the heat and meeting kids expectations.

Part of being a parent is holding our kids shoes, umbrellas, water bottles, backpacks while they go into a bounce house.

Vendors Offered Games

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum

Bounce House Alley

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum

Bounce And More was one of the vendors providing a plethora of bouncers, dry slides, giant games, obstacle courses, a mini pirate ship and a variety of carnival games.

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum

Giant Climbing Wall

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Corban Getting Ready To Climb

My son Corban (7) climbed this wall and reached the top with such vigor and excitement.

Photo Credit: Adrienne Balkum | Corban made it to the top!

Rockwall Downtown Wine Stroll on Founders Day

Photo Credit: Dolores Williams, founder, A Piece of Cake | Wine Stroll

Zanata provided the wine selection that were designated at downtown district businesses.

What To Bring With You to Founders Day?

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Water Bottles

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw for Sports and Travel, BPA-Free, 32-Ounce, Smooshed Blueberry

So I have purchased the blueberry 32-ounce water bottle. It sure came in handy today in this Texas heat. I also like how the top can be used as a handle. The push-button lid acts like a lock and I like the spout. The insulation definitely keeps it cold.

Sunglasses

Joopin Polarized Sunglasses Womens Trendy Oversized Big Driving Sun Glasses Sensitive Eyes UV Protection

Look fashionable and block the glare with a pair of shades.

Hats

FURTALK Womens Beach Sun Straw Hat UV UPF50 Travel Foldable Brim Summer UV Hat

This stylish hat is adjustable by the velcro strap! There are two sizes that are offered. Size M is recommended for women’s normal head size with head circumference 21.8-22.4 inch and Size L is recommended for large head size with head circumference around 22.4-23 inch.

Camping Chairs

Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler

Do yourself a favor and invest in chairs that travel well to events like this. Some come in a bag that you can throw over your shoulder, but if you are bringing the whole family you may need to think logistics.

Wagon

Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon Cart with Cup Holdler, Large Capacity Folding Wagon Garden Shopping Beach Cart ,Heavy Duty Foldable Cart, for Outdoor Activities, Beaches, Parks, Camping (Blue)

Roll out prepared with your igloo filled with your drinks, snacks and camping chairs.

Thank you for reading! Tell me in the comments what is your favorite thing about going to Founders Day and what is something that you would recommend for visitors to do or bring to keep cool in the Texas heat?

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