1935 - 2019
The East Texas Yamboree, one of the oldest continuous festivals in Texas, was established in 1935 under the direction of John Brogoitti. Brogoitti, the Chamber of Commerce manager, and volunteers from the County Extension Service, the Rotary Club, and Gilmer High School's agricultural department planned the local celebration in conjunction with the Texas Centennial. Counties were encouraged to promote something indicative of that community during the centennial year. As the county was an agricultural area, Brogoitti suggested that the festival focus on this. The East Texas yams had been a good cash crop in the early 1930's; however, a weevil problem had caused a quarantine on shipping. Early in 1935, the quarantine was lifted. The yam growers were back in business! Thus the festival planning committee decided to theme the event after the yam and named it the East Texas Yamboree. The festival was so popular with the locals that the committee decided it should be held on a yearly basis. The East Texas Yamboree has been held each year since then, with the exception of a three year period during World War II.
Through the years, the Yamboree has grown from a local event to one that draws a crowd from around the state of Texas, as well as surrounding states. One hundred thousand people attend the 4-day event held each October.
The East Texas Yamboree, a non-profit organization, is directed by four officers and a board of directors. All events are planned and executed by community volunteers. These local citizens spend countless hours year-round to make sure the festival “goes on.” East Texas Yamboree employees man a Yamboree information center at their office and also manage the day-to-day affairs of the Yamboree.
