Question: What Central Texas town launched an annual festival after it was left off the state’s official highway map?
Answer: Oatmeal. The Burnet County town was named after a German family whose last name was Clabermill (or Habermill), which was altered to become Oatmeal Spring, and eventually just Oatmeal. Although it’s the second-oldest town in the county, it was omitted from state maps by 1978, and residents decided to organize a festival to generate publicity. Only National Oats, makers of 3 Minute Oats, sponsored the event, and Oatmeal’s water tower was painted to resemble one of the brand’s iconic cans. The annual event features a barbecue, a parade, the Miss Oatmeal pageant, and an oatmeal bake-off.
