Outside of Dublin near Purves lies a charming event venue featuring rock buildings, iron work and colossal spaces. Rancho Viejo is also home to some of the most stunning sunsets around.
This hidden gem is located at 11875 South Farm-to-Market 219 and is owned by Maria and Chino Rodriguez and their family. The performance and event venue showcases a 6,200 square foot building with a kitchen, an interior patio space with restrooms and exterior yard space with tables. It also has a pond with sunflowers as the background, perfect for all manners of photography.
The property also has a rodeo arena, bar and patio behind the main facilities.
Originally, the buildings were the Field’s School and opened to the Purves community in the early 1900s. In 1951, Field’s School consolidated with the Dublin Public Schools. In 2007, Chino bought the property and he and his family restored the building. They are assisted in various ways at the event venue by their kids – Edgard, Aracele, Chapo, Yaya, Litzy and Lilyana Rodriguez and Sarah and Miguel Resendiz.
Though the Rodriguez family has owned Rancho Viejo for awhile, it was only recently that they began widespread advertising of the enchanting event venue and recently received their license to sell beer and wine through TABC.
They welcomed everyone out along with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce Saturday, July 20 with a ribbon cutting ceremony, cow tripping event, car show and more.
“Everyone was amused and so excited when they came out,” Maria said, about the Saturday event. “We wanted to make a bigger social event for people to see what is available.”
The venue is open for rental for all kinds of events, whether it is for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, gender reveals, baby showers and quinceaneras. People can even rent the space as a place to take photos.
Perhaps one of the most special events was Maria and Chino’s own wedding last December when the couple tied the knot after being together for many years.
One asset, besides being extremely reasonable on costs, is that for large events such as wedding the Rodriguez family only books one event per weekend. This allows for elaborate events to come set up on Friday, have the event on Saturday and come back and clean up on Sunday if they need the added time.
“We didn’t want to make people be in such a rush and add to their stress,” she said.
Package one is $1,000 and includes 12 rectangular tables and 60 chairs and package two is $3,500 and includes 24 rectangular tables and 160 chairs. A $500 deposit is required to save the date, damages and cleanup and is completely refundable.
Round tables are also available for an additional charge.
“Anyone who is interested in booking the venue is welcome to come out and take a tour, and talk to us,” Maria said.
For more information about the venue , or to schedule an event go to their Facebook page @ Rancho Viejo, Instagram @ Rancho_viejo2007 or Tik Tok @Rancho_ viejo, email viejoranch2007@ gmail. com or call 254-977-2206 or 254- 977- 0341.