When my Mom & Dad were here I was to learn that my Mom and I share an oatmeal aversion. I don't mind eating a little of it, it's the smell of it cooking I don't like. My Mom likes nothing about the stuff.This morning I learned there is a town in Texas called Oatmeal. Oatmeal has a population of about 20. Oatmeal is located a few miles northwest of Austin, near the town of Bertram.
Back in 1978 the citizens of Oatmeal were irked that the official map of the State of Texas had left Oatmeal off the map due to there being no main highways intersecting in Oatmeal.
Something had to be done. So, in cahoots with nearby Bertram, the Oatmeal Festival was born as part of a plot to put Oatmeal back on the map.
It worked. The concept was to sort of spoof other Texas festivals, like all the chili cookoffs. So, instead of a 'queen' the Oatmeal Festival has Ms. Bag. Ms. Bag must be over 55. Then there is something called Groaty Oat, which I've no idea what that is. And then we have Miss Cookie and Miss Muffin, who are 4 to 8 years old.
There are Oatmeal Bakeoffs and at some point in the Oatmeal Festival planes drop oatmeal flakes from the sky. That's got to be strange. Some years there are Oatmeal sculpture contests. Again, that's got to be strange.
The Oatmeal Festival takes place Labor Day weekend, starting Friday night with a BBQ at the Oatmeal Community Center. On Saturday the Oatmeal Festival Parade takes place with events having odd starting times, like the Saturday morning 3K run starts at 8:03, the Pet Parade at 10:03, the Festival Parade also at 10:03. And the Bertram School Homecoming at 1:03.
After the parade there is a BBQ at Bertram Pavilion with brisket, chicken, pinto beans, cole slaw, potato salad, bread, onions. And iced tea. In other words, your basket Texas type picnic. There are also a lot of Texas type desserts. Which means things like banana pudding with vanilla cookies and buttermilk pie.
Next Labor Day I am going to make a real good effort to go to the Oatmeal Festival.
