If you’ve recently moved to one of Bertram’s new neighborhoods — welcome! There’s one date you’ll want on your calendar right away: Saturday, September 26, 2026, when downtown Bertram throws open its doors for the 49th Annual Oatmeal Festival.

It’s the kind of small-town celebration that’s easy to miss if nobody tells you about it — and impossible to forget once you’ve been. Parades, live music, a hundred-plus vendor booths, wacky backyard games, and a whole lot of Texas Hill Country charm, all happening within walking distance of Vaughan Street.

Nearly Five Decades of Community

The Oatmeal Festival has been a Bertram tradition since 1978 — long before most of our newest neighborhoods existed. What started as a small community gathering has grown into one of the Hill Country’s most beloved annual events, but it’s never lost its small-town heart.

Every dollar raised goes directly back into the community — funding scholarships for Bertram youth and supporting local programs. When you come to the festival, you’re not just having a great day out; you’re taking part in something that’s been quietly investing in this town for generations.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be walking through everything that happens on festival day — the parades, the games, the food, and the traditions that make this Bertram’s favorite day of the year. Consider this your neighbor’s guide to the Oatmeal Festival.