Bastrop's annual Patriotic Festival, hosted by the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, was back this year in Fisherman's Park all day on Saturday, July 3. The day began with a fun run and a five-kilometer race first thing in the morning, followed by an all-day festival featuring carnival games, water slides, pie, hot dog and hot pepper eating contests, vendors and even free COVID-19 vaccinations. More highlights of the day included a dunk tank with local celebrities, Shakespeare in the Park with Bastrop High School students and basketball with the Bastrop Police Department. The day concluded with live music in the ...