The 33rd Oatmeal Festival in Bertam, TX is 
right around the corner this Labor Day Weekend on September 3rd and 4th. Be sure to come check it out since it is a guaranteed great time for all who attend.
The first Oatmeal Festival was introduced in 1978 as a tongue-in-check spinoff of the popular Texas chili cook-offs. With the rural community of Oatmeal as a neighbor of Bertram, Ken Odiorne, who had lived in the Oatmeal community, wrote to all the major producers of oatmeal and asked them to sponsor the festival. The makers of 3 Minutes Oats then became the first sponsor and soon after a legacy began.
The festival has kept Oatmeal on the map, and over the years, money raised from the Oatmeal Festival built an open-air pavilion in Bertram and a community center at Oatmeal. Scholarships are given to local high school graduates every year. Financial assistance has been given to many local events including the Easter Egg Hunt, Santa's Workshop, and Burnet County Livestock Show.
The Oatmeal Festival kicks off with a barbecue at the Oatmeal Community Center, about three miles southwest of Bertram. For those of you who are thinking that a big bowl of oatmeal is not what you want at a festival, be assured - there is no oatmeal on the menu. You can expect typical Texas food - chicken, brisket, pinto beans, potato salad, cole slaw, onions, bread, and iced tea.
On Saturday morning the festival starts with a 3K run at 8:03, a Pet Parade at 10:03, and the Festival Parade at 10:33. (Even the timing of events make this festival unique!) There are floats from nearby cities, businesses, the Shriners, and political candidates, especially in an election year. Instead of beauty queens, the Oatmeal Festivals has Ms. Bag, who is over 55, and Miss Cookie andMiss Muffin, who are 4 to 8 years old, plus some other traditonal characters like Grouty Oats, who grace the events.
In the afternoon, there's the barbecue at the Bertram Pavilion. After your meal, head across the street to the pavilion where you will find the 4H Club Roping Arena. The Bertram School Homecoming will also take place at 1:03. There will be a wonderful time for all in Bertram this Labor Day weekend.
Perhaps you might want to explore the city. There are many things of historical interest in the Oatmeal Community, including one of the oldest buildings in the county, an old rock church. It sits on the top of a hill overlooking a beautiful countryside. Just below the church is an old brush arbor where the church used to meet when the weather was too hot to be comfortable in the building.
Labor Day Weekend is coming quickly so put the Oatmeal Festival at the top of your list of activities for the holiday weekend. With all of the non-stop fun happening in Bertram, it makes a great place to raise a family.
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