Annual Austin Birthday Bash To Be Virtual This Year

AUSTIN, TX — The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation will celebrate the third annual Austin’s Birthday Bash in mid-August but in a virtual iteration in light of the continuing need for social distancing, officials said Friday.

The event scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 15, which typically takes place at Republic Square commemorates the 181st year since the Republic of Texas auctioned the first lots in Austin in giving birth to the city. That auction, which occurred on today’s park grounds, was under the grove of trees now called the “Auction Oaks," organizers explained.

The Downtown Alliance Foundation invites the public to play a part in the virtual event by submitting recorded birthday wishes for the City of Austin. Recordings should be as creative as possible while keeping to the family-friendly tone of the event. Information about submission requirements can be found here.

Attendees can bring a piece of Republic Square to their own backyard, as this year’s birthday bash will feature the option to pre-purchase a curated “picnic basket” from Republic Square’s new Salt & Time Cafe. Attendees may pick up their orders at Republic Square prior to the event.

Toward providing a compelling interactive experience, “birthday party kits” will help guests liven up their Birthday Bash viewing with items from Austin’s Toy Joy. Also included in each kit will be a pass for a free class from Orange Theory Fitness. The complimentary kits may be reserved online and will be available for pickup at Republic Square during select times, organizers said.

In true Austin fashion, the event will showcase some of the city’s top musical talent with a concert lineup curated by Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone of Riders Against the Storm (RAS) featuring Black Austin-based musicians.

Musical lineup includes:

• Torre Blake
• Sam Houston
• Riders Against the Storm
• Vonne

And yet, organizers added, the fun doesn’t stop with the live event. Those who want a memento of the celebration can visit Republic Square where “Austin’s Birthday Bash” signs will be on display from Friday-Sunday, providing a perfect Austin photo op.

The live concert will be streamed online on the Republic Square social media channels; there is no cost to attend.

When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Attendees can register for this virtual event here.

About Downtown Austin Alliance

The Downtown Austin Alliance (Downtown Alliance) works with key downtown stakeholders—property owners, residents, business owners, community organizations and government officials—to advance our collective vision for the future of downtown Austin. The Downtown Alliance is engaged in dozens of projects and issues that contribute to the safety, cleanliness, and appeal of downtown Austin to residents, employees and visitors. As a full-time advocate for downtown, the Downtown Alliance is actively engaged in planning decisions that impact the area. We also advance downtown's vision through direct services supporting safety and cleanliness.

For more information, visit www.downtownaustin.com.

About the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation

The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization created in 2018 to fund and implement key projects that support the community’s Downtown Austin Vision. The Foundation invests in the development and activation of public spaces, diverse cultural experiences, and place-based research to better understand what drives a successful, vibrant downtown. Ultimately, the goal is to make downtown Austin a more vital and livable place for all by bringing together corporate leadership and philanthropic investment to create a lasting legacy in downtown Austin.

For more information, visit the Downtown Austin Alliance website.

About Republic Square

Republic Square is an urban greenspace in the heart of downtown Austin. Located between 4th and 5th streets and Guadalupe and San Antonio streets, it is one of the historic squares originally included in Judge Edwin Waller’s 1839 plan for the capital city. Following a tri-party public private partnership formed to complete major renovations in 2017, the Downtown Austin Alliance assumed responsibility for funding, programming, maintenance and operations of the square. We aim to create a vibrant civic space, hosting numerous events and year-round programming for the community.

For more information, visit the Republic Square website.