All pets are welcome in the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival's pet parade. The annual event was voted a Locals Love Us favorite. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

All pets are welcome in the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival’s pet parade. The annual event was voted a Locals Love Us favorite. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

The Bluebonnet Festival brings thousands of visitors to Burnet each April to celebrate the state flower. 
As the festival enters its 36th year, event co-chair Angela Moore said its success is thanks to all of the volunteers who operate the “Most Exciting Small-Town Festival in Texas” like a well-oiled machine.
“Our committee consists of different community members that all have their own role to play,” said Moore, who has been co-chair of the festival for three years. “All of us being on the same committee for several years, we all know what the left hand is doing.”
That cohesiveness from within is why the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival was voted the Locals Love Us favorite community event in the Burnet area. 
Those who attend the festival get to experience a grand parade, live music, a demolition derby, a pet parade, wiener dog races, a car show, a rubber ducky race, a carnival, dozens of vendors, great food, and a biergarten. 
The event’s success increases each time not only because of the volunteers but also due to the continuing effort to improve it each year. 
“On the last day of the festival, we spend it talking to all the vendors. We get their input on what we can do differently to make it easier on them and the attendees,” Moore said. “We’re always getting feedback; that helps us out. We try to make it very friendly for everyone.”
The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners agreed, judging by their votes. 
Moore recalled moving to Burnet in the early 1990s to teach elementary school then getting involved in the festival. When she’s at the festival now, Moore said her enjoyment comes from seeing all the smiling faces. 
“I taught here in Burnet for so many years, many know me just as an educator,” Moore said. “It’s cool for me to see old students that have moved off and now brought their families back to Burnet.”
jared@thepicayune.com