The following list highlights upcoming events in Gatesville and the surrounding areas that will occur within a month of each publication of The Gatesville Messenger. This list will be frequently updated, and if any organization would like to include their event in the calendar, contact ally@gatesvillemessenger. com.
Gatesville Riding Club Annual Rodeo The Gatesville Riding Club will host the 89th annual Rodeo starting Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Gatesville Civic Center located at 301 Veterans Memorial Dr. Each night gates open at 6 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 kids age 6-12, and kids age five and under are free. Each night will have a different theme. Thursday will be Military Appreciation night, with tickets at a discount with a military ID; Friday will be Back the Blue where participants are encouraged to wear blue to show support of local law enforcement officers; and Saturday will have a special performance by the 1st Calvary Platoon at 7 p.m. Some of the events will include wild cow milking, double mugging, junior barrel racing and mutton bustin’, with participants of the latter two encouraged to call 254-493-9854 on Monday, July 27, between 6-10 p.m. to register. For more details, visit urodeo.com.
Gospel Concert and Fish Fry
Harmony Baptist Church and Clifton Fundamental Baptist Church will be cohosting a gospel concert and fish fry on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m. at Harmony’s 1750 FM 215 location. Both churches will be providing music, and the fish will be served on a first come first serve basis. This event is free to the public. For more information, contact pastor Michael Wingo at 254-624-1665.
Gatesville ISD Benefits Fair
Gatesville ISD and the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce will host the Gatesville ISD Benefits Fair to welcome GISD staff Friday, Aug. 7, at the high school’s old gym, located at 205 S. Lovers Lane, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. This event will be open solely to the employees of the district to welcome them back for the 2026-2027 school year as well as provide them with various community resources. Local vendors interested in participating should contact the district prior to Friday, July 31. Vendors will also be able to bring door prizes, which will be drawn after the fair when the employees meet for convocation. Vendors are asked to provide their own tables in case the district runs out.
Chamber of Commerce Market Day The August Chamber of Commerce Market Day will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the chamber’s 2307 TX-36 BUS location. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.
Gatesville ISD Back to School Bash Gatesville ISD will host the 2026 Back to School Bash Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Gatesville Elementary School, located at 2537 E. Main St., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the event is required, and the event is only open to students enrolled in the Gatesville district. The event will offer free haircuts and/or a pair of sneakers for those who register due to limited stock and sizes, as well as a vision and hearing screening. Various community partners will be in attendance, such as: Texas AgriLife, Texas Star Kids, Blue Cross Blue Shield, various Gatesville city services, such as the fire department, police department, library and fitness center, Coryell Health, local churches and more. All students must be accompanied by a parent.
Gatesville Smurfs Softball Soul Food Plates Fundraiser The Gatesville Smurfs 12U Softball Team will be having a soul foods plate fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Gatesville Senior Center, located at 208 N. Lutterloh Ave., starting at 11 a.m. Plates are $15 each with a main entrée choice of either fried chicken or beef tips and rice, sides of greens, candied yams, mac and cheese and either a roll or corn bread, a choice of either sweet tea, unsweet tea or lemonade for drink and a choice of either banana pudding, peach cobbler or dirt cake for dessert. Additional desserts will be sold for $3 each. Options are dine-in, carryout, or meal delivered. Participants can preorder plates by either emailing gatesvillesmurffports@gmail.com or calling 254-223-0659.
Coryell Senior Expo 2026
The annual Coryell Senior Expo will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gatesville Civic Center, located at 301 Veterans Memorial Loop. This event, aiming to provide local seniors with various resources, will be free for participants. The event will feature various community resource providers, product demonstrations, blood glucose testing, blood pressure checks and more. For more information, either email maranda.may@coryellhealth.org or call 254-404-2500.