Eighty years ago, on Aug. 2, the electric cooperative that became Bluebonnet received its state charter and began the work of bringing power to a large swath of Central Texas. 

This year, Bluebonnet celebrated its 80th anniversary in a variety of ways, but in late July and early August, we were ready to party with members. 

The cooperative hosted five birthday parties at each of its member service centers, in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and Manor. 

Because of the emphasis on history, each party had a display of vintage electric appliances from the 1930s and later, along with a colorful timeline about the history of electric appliances. 

Members enjoyed cookies and popcorn while they visited with Bluebonnet’s employees and executives, a line worker who shared stories about his job, and our inflatable light bulb mascot. 

There were coloring contests for kids, and five winners were drawn at random from each party to win an Amazon Fire 7 kids tablet. There was also a drawing at each party for a new small appliance. 

To see more scenes from the parties, go to Bluebonnet's Facebook page photos.