Steelie Ryan, Miss Itsy Bit contestant, wore the same dress her mom Miranda Ryan wore 25 years ago.
The Oatmeal Community Center buzzed with excitement on Friday, Aug. 29, as the 48th Annual Oatmeal Festival launched its opening celebration. Guests filled the covered picnic tables for a classic kickoff -- barbecue dinner, the Cow Creek dessert bar, and the kind of camaraderie that has made this festival a Highland Lakes favorite for nearly half a century. Live music by Jody Proctor and Chris Reeves added the perfect soundtrack to an evening steeped in tradition.
The Oatmeal Festival Pageant was a highlight of the night, drawing 34 contestants who brought their personality, charm, and creativity to the stage. Crowned with this year’s “Miss” titles were Rivers Calvert, Oatmeal Queen; Addison Butler, Oatmeal Princess; Kindley Chaney, Oatmeal Cookie; Heidi Meredith, Oatmeal Muffin; Charlotte Robertshaw, Little Bit of Oatmeal; and Tulsa Ferguson, Itsy Bitsy Oatmeal.
In keeping with tradition, the pageant also featured the popular cake auction. Bidding soared as community members competed for homemade desserts, with the final cake fetching an impressive $2,000, purchased by Cold Copper Commodities.
The evening paused to honor the Snow family and their descendants, who were presented with a plaque recognizing their donation of a water storage tank to the community. In her remarks, Kari Beth Ringstaff noted, “They say it takes a village to put on an event this size, and the Snow Family are a devoted part.”
As the applause faded and the music played on, the night served as a reminder of what the Oatmeal Festival represents — neighbors gathering, traditions carried forward, and a community bound together in celebration.
The fun continues next month when the festival shifts to downtown Bertram on Saturday, Sept. 27, promising a full day of events, entertainment, and small-town spirit at its finest.
