ROCKWALL, TX (May 4, 2026) — Rockwall will celebrate its 172nd birthday with the annual Founders Day Festival on Saturday, May 16. Presented by Hiley Chevrolet of Rockwall, this free, family-friendly event spans Downtown Rockwall and Harry Myers Park, offering a full day of entertainment, activities, and live music.
Festivities begin downtown with the Rockwall Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by “The Founders Garden,” an interactive experience presented by Rockwall County’s Master Gardeners from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in San Jacinto Square. The Downtown Rockwall Wine Walk, sponsored by the Downtown Association, will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with glass purchase available in San Jacinto Square.
At Harry Myers Park, the celebration continues from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with bounce houses, live animal shows, a vendor market, and a food court featuring local food trucks. New this year, a vendor fair from 1 to 5 p.m. will showcase local makers, sellers, non-profits, and community groups. A DJ will keep the energy going throughout the afternoon.
The evening will feature a lineup of live performances on the main stage, highlighting why Rockwall is known as the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas.” Texas Country artist Billie Jo Jones will perform at 5:30 p.m., followed by country chart-topper Randy Houser at 6:45 p.m., and the Randy Rogers Band at 8:30 p.m. The festival will conclude at 9:30 p.m.
For convenience, free shuttle service will transport festivalgoers between Downtown Rockwall, Harry Myers Park, and designated parking locations from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Air-conditioned charter buses will accommodate strollers, wagons, larger bags, and coolers, with handicap-accessible transportation available.
Shuttle parking locations include:
• Wilkerson Sanders Football Stadium (1215 T.L. Townsend Drive)
• Herman E. Utley Middle School (1201 T.L. Townsend Drive)
• Rockwall High School (901 W. Yellow Jacket Lane)
• The Center at Rockwall Cityplace (108 E. Washington Street)
A determination regarding any weather-related changes will be made the evening of the concert. For updates, check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page on the day of the event. If no updates are posted, the event will proceed as scheduled.
Rockwall Founders Day Festival is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit: rockwall.com/event_FoundersDay.asp
ROCKWALL FOUNDERS DAY EVENT SCHEDULE
What: Rockwall Founders Day Festival presented by Hiley Chevrolet of Rockwall
When: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16
8 a.m. to noon Rockwall Farmers Market, downtown Rockwall
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rockwall County’s Master Gardeners present “The Founders Garden,” an interactive garden experience for all ages, San Jacinto Square
Noon to 4 p.m. Downtown Rockwall Wine Walk; purchase glasses in San Jacinto Square
1 to 5 p.m. Founders Day Festival family activities in Harry Myers Park
5:30 p.m. Texas Country artist Billie Jo Jones performs in Harry Myers Park
6:45 p.m. Country chart topper Randy Houser performs in Harry Myers Park
8:30 p.m. Legendary Texas group Randy Rogers Band performs in Harry Myers Park
9:30 p.m. Festival ends
Cost: Free
Information: rockwall.com/event_FoundersDay.asp
Press release and photos submitted by Sara Burgos and City of Rockwall. Edited for publication by Blue Ribbon News.
Rockwall Founders Day Festival Returns May 16 with Full Day of Activities and Live Performances by Randy Rogers Band, Randy Houser and Billie Jo Jones added by Sam Redig on
View all posts by Sam Redig →