Howdy, Hutto. This week we’re shining a little extra light on Hutto’s growing artist community as Hutto Mural Fest gives local artists, makers, volunteers and neighbors a chance to rally around creativity and help the arts take up more space in our city; we’ve also got big development news with the Hutto EDC’s new partnership for Cottonwood Marketplace, a planned 58-acre retail project near Hwy. 79 and CR 132 that could bring some major names to town, plus plenty more below; and after a little Gulf cruising last week, I’m glad to be back with y’all in Hippo Nation.

Retail Development | Hutto EDC has partnered with Fidelis to develop Cottonwood Marketplace, a 58-acre retail project north of Hwy. 79 and west of CR 132 that will add shopping, dining, gathering space and local jobs.

Industrial Development | Hutto City Council reviewed the proposed $125 million Opus Development, a 69-acre light industrial project in northeast Hutto that could add 800,000 square feet of space and speed up construction of a new collector road.

Election Results | Hutto’s May 2 election results remain unofficial until the May 13 canvass, with Corina I. Zepeda set to take Place 4 and a June 13 runoff planned for Place 1 between Jerrel W. Reynolds and Brandy McCool.

Local Bubble Tea Shop | Hutto’s “What’s the Tea?” is giving neighbors a place to enjoy bubble tea, Vietnamese-inspired treats and small acts of kindness as Lisa Nguyen’s family keeps her dream alive in the community.

Green Thumbs Up | Hutto Public Library • 2–3 PM

Hutto Farmers Market | 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd • 3–7 PM

Anime & Manga Club for Teens | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 5:30–6:30 PM

Classic Movie Club - Star Wars - A New Hope | Hutto Public Library • 3–4:30 PM

True Crime Book Club | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 5:30–6:30 PM

Trivia Night | The Downtown Hall of Fame • 7–10 PM

Pokémon TCG Meetup (Kids) | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 4:30–6 PM

Hutto HS Football Spring Football Showcase | Hutto Memorial Stadium • 6:30 PM

Hutto Market Days | The Gin at the Hutto Co-Op • 9 AM–2 PM

Stained Glass Workshop | Cumberland Road Art Studio • 10 AM–2 PM

“Neuro-Zen Gardens”: Creating Calm Art Workshop | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 11 AM–12:30 PM

Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Adventure | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 11 AM–12:30 PM

Luau at Sunset | Hutto Family YMCA • 5:30–9 PM

Blood Drive - We Are Blood | Hutto Discovery UMC • 9 AM–1 PM

AFUGA Sip & Shop Sunday Market | Afuga Coffee • 11 AM–3 PM

Meet The Pugs: Austin Pug Rescue | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 1–3 PM

Blind Date With a Book Swap | The Story Emporium • 1–2 PM

Sculpt Your Dog Out of Polymer Clay | Bonura Studios • 2–4:30 PM

Hutto’s creative scene is getting a big community moment this month with the first Hutto Mural Fest, a full-day celebration of public art, live painting, music, local makers and hometown energy happening May 22 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Hutto.

What makes this event exciting isn’t just the murals themselves, but what they represent: a chance for Hutto to keep growing as a place where local artists are seen, supported and invited to help shape the look and feel of our community. As more people move here and more spaces take shape across town, public art gives Hutto a way to tell its own story through the people who live, work and create here.

For neighbors who love seeing murals downtown, handmade goods at local markets, or creative touches on old and new buildings alike, this is one of those “show up now” moments. You can support Hutto’s growing arts community by attending the festival, volunteering behind the scenes, applying as a muralist, joining as an artisan vendor, sponsoring the event, or simply helping spread the word.

Hutto Mural Fest is being organized by Hutto Arts Today, a local nonprofit focused on growing the arts and creating more opportunities for artists in the community. If we want more local art in Hutto, this is a great place to start.

Ways to get involved:

Mural Artists | Local artists ages 16 and up can apply to paint a 4x4 mini mural during Hutto Arts Today’s May 22 activation at The Gin at the Co-Op, with finished pieces later displayed at City Hall.

Art Vendors | Hutto artists, makers and small businesses can apply for limited vendor spots at the Hutto Arts Today’s May 22 activation at The Gin at the Co-Op, featuring live mural painting, music and local creativity.

Volunteers | Hutto Mural Fest is seeking volunteers to help with artist support, guest check-in, clean-up and event activities on May 22 at The Gin at the Co-Op.

Hutto football fans have a couple of great chances to get an early look at the Hippos as the school year winds down and summer competition heats up.

First up is the Hutto Hippo Spring Showcase on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Hutto Memorial Stadium, giving Hippo Nation a first glimpse of the team under new head coach Casey Walraven. Walraven brings more than 15 years of head coaching experience to Hutto, including four seasons building Alvarado into one of Texas’ top 4A programs, making this an exciting new chapter for Hutto football.

The Hippos will also be busy this summer with their 7v7 schedule, including stops at Arlington High School on May 9, Lake Travis High School on May 16, Westwood High School on May 23, Texas A&M on June 2, SMU on June 10, UNT on June 15, and the College Station championships June 25–27.

If you’re able to make it out to a showcase or tournament this summer, it’s a fun way to support the team, cheer on the hometown Hippos, and get a feel for what’s ahead this fall.

Sunny and hot to start the week, with highs climbing into the low 90s and mornings in the 60s. Clouds build late week, but temps stay warm in the upper 80s to low 90s. Sunday brings the best storm chance, because Texas likes a plot twist.

☀️ Tue–Wed: Sunny, 60s to 90s
🌤️ Thu–Sat: Clouds, upper 80s
🌧️ Sunday: Storm chances, upper 80s
🌤️ Winds: Breezy late week

👉 TL;DR: Sunny then stormy

Hutto weather: forecast subject to change… because Texas.

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