Gilmer's East Texas Yamboree Has Roots in the 1930s

The East Texas Yamboree started in 1935 in Gilmer. It celebrates the sweet potato, called a yam, as a symbol of the county's farming history. The festival runs every fall and has drawn visitors from across the region for decades.

The Handbook of Texas records its 1935 start. It is one of the most recognized annual events in Upshur County.

Events and dates change from year to year. For current information, check with the City of Gilmer or local event organizers directly before you make plans to attend.