One of the ways Dripping Springs strives to maintain its “small town feel” despite massive growth in recent years, is by events such as our Founders Day Festival. Founded in 1988 by Jerry Bielke, it began as a chicken cook-off to honor the pioneers who settled here in the 1850’s. Bielke, who also helped create Founder’s Park, traveled around in his old red pickup dressed as a chicken, trying to drum up interest.