Those early years had a page full of area residents who helped produce and get the first Miss La Vernia Pageant underway. Probably over that cup of coffee at one of our local restaurants the plans and thoughts started popping into heads. Lion Pageant director Ray Dudley had fourteen La Vernia Lion members who all played a role in assisting, with Will Rose serving as president that year.

Adopted by a unanimous decision by the La Vernia Lions Club in October of 1978, the first Miss La Vernia Pageant took its beginning on Thursday, April 19, 1979, at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. It was decided to be an annual competition sponsored and staged by the La Vernia Lions Club in cooperation with the city of La Vernia, the La Vernia Chamber of Commerce and the La Vernia Independent School District.

Although the pageant has stopped and started through the years and there have been different ways of choosing Miss La Vernia, Lion members are currently working to bring the pageant back into play for selecting one young lady and her court to serve as official representatives in area and statewide functions.

The purpose and desire is still the same in the process of selecting a group of young ladies to represent La Vernia and the community. It is hoped that all those who participate in this pageant and the events of the year that follow shall be provided with endearing memories and feeling for the young and not so young of our community. The pageant also provides an opportunity for youth to be awarded scholarships and represent the community in a positive image bringing exposure for the community of La Vernia as well as members of the court.

Celebrating their 25th Anniversary, the La Vernia Bluebonnet Fest sponsored solely now by the La Vernia Lions will have events taking place this weekend, May 15, 16 and 17th. They are once again inviting everyone to partake of various activities including this year the Miss La Vernia Pageant which will take place on Thursday, May 15th at the Junior High Cafeteria/Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are to be sold at the door with a patriotic theme to run throughout the events being held this year.

On Friday, the La Vernia Volunteer Fire Department is planning a Firehouse Jamboree and invites the community to come and listen, bring your instruments and play all under the open air and stars to some very good displays of local talent. Food and drinks will be available for you to enjoy.

Next up, ultimately the most favorite of events that has had its share of bad weather days, the 10:30 a.m. Bluebonnet Fest Parade gets under way. Activities then continue down to La Vernia City Park where there will be food and beverage booths, arts and crafts, games for the kids, pony rides, a 2:00 p.m. auction, and the hospitality that comes with activities that are all a part of La Vernia.

Parade Coordinator Jackie Kowalik said, "We once again have right around 65 entries for 2003. The route is the same as last year, it winds down Highway 87 from Silverado Hills, turning right at the red light to continue up FM 775, disbursing at the elementary school."

Kowalik said, "We are also happy to have as our Grand Marshal for the parade, Rodney Hayden, a new and rising country music artist who takes his roots close to home. He graduated from Pleasanton High School, so he’s kinda one of our South Texas natives.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies once again will be Jim Helmke, who adds a special flair to the parade as he talks one on one with float entrants and spectators. Knowing pretty well all the participants, he is able to interact one on one as they come by, giving a good description and introduction of each entry passes by the viewing stand. This year the vowing stand will once again be set up right in front of the washateria off Hwy. 87, look for the extra large United States Flag which adds to our salute to the military and our soldiers overseas.

He will be joined this year by Vicky Kincaid and spotters Linnci Angle and Julie Skrzycki. Also assisting as sound engineer is his son, Blake Helmke. Be on time as, Jim has something special lined up as parade spectators wait in anticipation of the Salute to the Red, White and Blue plus the Clydesdales.

Helmke has been a part of parade activities throughout the years as well as assisting with the Floresville Peanut Festival. Helmke serves as a co-manager of Baumann’s Supermarket here in La Vernia. A man of many hats, he also serves as our local weather specialist and if there is a parade or emceeing event Jim has the special flair needed to let all know what’s going on.

Following the parade, everyone is invited to go on over the La Vernia City Park where there will be plenty of food booths, arts and crafts, big auction at 1:00 p.m. and lots of live entertainment.

Something Southern will be providing music from 11:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. They specialize in "Texas Country" and have written most of their own songs. Texas Country had its origins in the early 90’s with artists such as Robert Earl Keene, Pat Green, Cory Morrow and others. The group got together in the winter of 2002 and will be playing around the area this summer.....watch for them.

Members of the band include Blake Helmke on drums, Jacob Middleton on Electric Guitar, Matt Tieken on Acoustic Guitar and Chris Martin on Bass Guitar.

All Bluebonnet activities are sponsored by the La Vernia Lions Club with all funds going to support their various projects. It assists community members locally including those in need of eyeglasses, diabetes camp for kids, senior scholarships, Christmas Community Tree Lighting, providing monies for La Vernia City Park, Little League, Boy Scouts, burnout victims, March of Dimes, monthly bingo at nursing home and more.

Don’t miss this year’s activities, it takes community working together to make events happen and for them to be a success. With involvement and assistance always needed in local organizations, you are encouraged to be a part of helping out so that La Vernia community members can provide the assistance to those who need a little helping hand every once in awhile.

Although there were a few times with the Miss La Vernia Pageant did not occur or Miss La Vernia was chosen a couple of times by means of an essay. There were also the times Mother Nature played a part in canceling the parade and other activities, but all in all there has been planning for a Bluebonnet Fest and Miss La Vernia for 25 years with the planning starting the year of 1978-79. Hopefully more members will become part of community and make it another 25 years for their 50th Anniversary!