Bertram is perhaps best known for its Oatmeal Festival held each year on the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day (September 4 & 5, 2009). Begun in 1977 as a good-natured attempt to put neighboring Oatmeal back on the map after state map-makers ignored the tiny neighboring community, the festival has evolved into one of the wackiest, most imaginative small-town festivals anywhere. In 2009, Bertram celebrates 32 years of craziness and fun, and as always, it will actually "rain" oatmeal during the parade! (Watch out for Commander Caraway and the Oatmeal Air Force). Each year visitors come from far and wide, appreciating Bertram's sense of humor and their small town pride and friendliness.

Because the festival is sponsored by Three Minutes Brand Oats, every event starts at 3 or 33 minutes past the hour. The festival begins on Friday night with a BBQ dinner and the Miss Oatmeal Pageant in Oatmeal. A trail-ride moves the festivities to Bertram on Saturday, which includes a fun-run, parade, cook-off, zany games, food, and arts and crafts, Mutton Busting and more.

If you wish to ride the train to the Oatmeal Festival from Cedar Park, visit the Austin Steam Train's website for times and ticketing information: www.austinsteamtrain.org

Pictured above are last year''s Oatmeal Softball Tournament winners, the Well Knowns from Round Rock sponsored by Mendoza Enterprises. This year's tournament will be held August 28 and 29. Download more tournament information here: (Oatfest Softball tourney info)

Oatmeal Festival Arts & Crafts

The Oatmeal Festival Arts and Crafts show will be on Friday evening, September 4 at Oatmeal and on Saturday, September 5 at the Festival Grounds in Bertram. You may choose to participate on one or both dates.
Download the Oatmeal Festival Arts & Crafts information sheet here: (Oatfest Arts & Crafts Information)
Download the Oatmeal Festival Arts & Crafts Show Application here: (Oatfest Arts & Crafts Show Application)

The Miss Oatmeal Pageant will be held Friday, Sept. 4 at 6:33 p.m. at Oatmeal Texas. Girls from 4 - 18 may enter.
Download Oatmeal Pageant Information here:(Miss Oatmeal Pageant Information)
Download Oatmeal Pageant Enrollment Form here:(Miss Oatmeal Pageant Entry Form)
Download Oatmeal Pageant Profile here:(Oatmeal Pageant Profile)

At 8:03 a.m. the Trail Ride leaves Oatmeal and officially moves the Oatmeal Festival to Bertram on Saturday morning. Bring your own mount and/or mules and wagons. You'll end up in the Grand Parade through downtown Bertram. Awards will be given for the oldest, youngest, and best-dressed riders.

The Oatmeal Festival Fun Run, the annual 3.3 mile "Oat-a-thon" begins under the water tower on Vaughan Street at 8:03 a.m. September 5. Download your entry form and race map here: (Oatfest Fun Run App 09) and (Race Map).
Please see attachments for 2009 runners times : Women's Times 09 and Men's & Mixed Times 09

The Oatmeal Festival Pet Parade, sponsored by the Bertram Elementary PTO, begins at 10:03 a.m. at Johnnie Mae Wheeler Park on Vaughan Street. If your child wishes to enter the Pet Parade Contest, be at the park by 9:03 a.m. to sign up and be judged. Following ribbon awards, the children and pets will parade up and down Vaughan Street. All pets must be on a leash or in a cage.

The Oatmeal Festival Cook-off will accept entries at the Pavilion starting at 9:03 a.m. All entries must include oatmeal and/or oat bran and be accompanied by a recipe. Ribbons will be awarded to the first three places in each category in Junior (18 & under) and Senior Divisions. First place winner in all classes receives $33.33. Grand Prize winners receive $133.33, and the Grand Prize Recipe winner receives $133.33. Download complete cook-off rules here: (Oat Cookoff 09)

The Grand Parade will wind its way through downtown Bertram beginning at the Roadside Park and moving east down Vaughan Street. All entries are accepted, from individuals to floats. Download your Parade Entry form here: (Oatfest Parade Entry Form 09)

During the parade be on the look-out for the Grits Guzzler. Masked and dressed in a black cape, this dastardly fellow will walk in the parade and try to tempt our youth with grits, which are outlawed during the Oatmeal Fest. Pictured is the Grits Guzzler unmasked being "tarred and feathered" with molasses and oatmeal.

The Oatmeal Festival Car Show is held on Railroad Alley between West and Grange Streets. You may bring your car to the show only, or you may also drive in the Grand Parade.

Following the parade, BBQ plates along with other foods will be sold at the Pavilion and Festival Grounds on FM 243, east of Hwy 29. Food booths, Arts & Craft booths, music and games will all be at the Festival Grounds through 5:03 p.m. There will be activities for everyone in the family. At 2:33 p.m. the Bertram School Homecoming is held at the Bertram Elementary Cafetorium. Lots of visiting is required and refreshments will be served.

The Oatmeal Festival Games for adults and children begin at 1:03 and continue throughout the afternoon. The festival is known far and wide for its unique, fun and wacky games, which include Oatmeal Box Stacking, the Cow Chip Kick-off, Goat Pill Popping, the popular Egg Toss and other silly games. There is also a Washer Pitching Tournament on the Festival Grounds adjacent to the Games.

Mutton Busting is the last event of the day. It begins at 4:03 p.m., but a parent or guardian my sign a child up all afternoon preceding the event. The first 50 kids that sign up will be allowed to ride. The children must be between 3 and 8 and less than 55 pounds. The entry fee is $20, and for that the child gets an 8 second ride, a t-shirt, and a pizza party at the end of the competition. Each rider is scored, and the winner will receive a plaque. To the right are the 2008 Grand Champion and Reserve Champion with their awards.

Bring Your Sugar to the Oatmeal Festival!