A Homecoming Paradise
NEWS RELEASE A---For Immediate Release---St. Louis Day in Castroville
July 25, 2011 A Homecoming Paradise
Further contact-- Frankie Kempf, St. Louis Church,
610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009
Phones: 210-931-2826 or (cell) 210-287-2642
CASTROVILLE,TX--Getting together with old friends and making new ones is what the St. Louis Day Celebration in Castroville is all about. And this year, when the festival celebrates its 129th birthday, on Sunday, Aug. 21, folks from far and wide are expected to gather once again in one of the nation's largest day displays of fellowship and merrymaking. And when visitors start pouring into this ordinarily peaceful and quiet little Alsatian city of about 2,800 inhabitants, located just 15 minutes west of San Antonio on U.S. Hwy. 90, to become part of the "granddaddy" of all one-day church festivals, the population of the "Little Alsace of Texas" will multiply itself several times over.
The fun-packed festival, held currently on the Sunday nearest and prior to August 25, feast day of the Catholic parish's patron saint, St. Louis IX of France, began as a mere parish picnic over a century-and-quarter ago, and attracts visitors from all corners of the globe, many returning to the place their ancestors settled over a century and a half ago, for a giant homecoming party. Previous years’ guest books reveal that among the many thousands of merrymakers each year, visitors from numerous foreign countries and U.S. States were represented. For the past number of years, visitors from Alsace-France, Germany, Poland, The Phillipines, and Mexico, joined the picnic fun. Folks from all corners of Texas and from all parts of the U.S. attend and sign the guest register. The gala affair, held annually in Castroville's spacious, pecan tree-shaded Koenig Park has been designated as "Homecoming for the State of Texas" by the Texas Tourist Agency.
Hometown folks are once again bracing for this annual spectacle, when these friendly Alsatian descendants, plus many of their non-Alsatian neighbors, who are no amateurs when it comes to throwing a big shindig, will be putting forth their best efforts to please the huge gathering in this greatest of all homecoming paradises. Many visitors, quite a few of whom were past residents of Castroville, purposely plan their vacation trips to this part of the country during August just so they can take part in probably the biggest single-day church festival in the nation.
Usually, crowds start to arrive in historic Castroville early on picnic day, since many folks, whose primary purpose is to attend the picnic also take in a bit of worthwhile sightseeing. As they leisurely drive or stroll about the 167 year-old community that was founded by Henri de Castro in September 1844, when he brought in settlers from Alsace-Lorraine, visitors are surrounded by historic Alsatian homes and landmarks. The culture and dialect is still very much visible in town. Many of the original homes and buildings are still in use. A great number of the original structures have been restored and are comfortably lived in, and all can be identified by special Pioneer Castroville House (PCH) markers. Many of the older natives still speak the true Alsatian dialect (a mixture of German and French, with a sprinkling of English thrown in) fluently. Many recent exchange trips between groups of local Alsatian descendents and their fellow Alsatians abroad have brought about a new and continued interest and knowledge in the Alsatian culture. Castroville, the largest single Alsatian settlement outside France today, is listed on the National Register of Historical Sites in Washington, D.C. The quaint little city, with its numerous pioneer structures with their typical Alsatian-style sloped roof, scattered in among the contemporary ranch-style houses, is a sightseer's paradise.
A site that few visitors ever miss is majestic St. Louis Catholic Church. A tape-recorded narration of the history of the 141 year-old church and the parish can be heard in the vestibule of the church. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will celebrate a 9 a.m. Mass on picnic day. The famed Liederkranz Choir from San Antonio, who has performed internationally, will sing the Mass. A 7 p.m. Mass, the evening before, is also planned to accommodate early arriving guests. Rev. Father Jim Conway is the pastor of St. Louis parish.
Other sightseer attractions are the Moye Formation Center, on whose grounds rest the century-old original convent of the Sisters of Divine Providence in the U.S.; the first St. Louis Church, built in 1844, just 8 days after Castroville was settled, and just recently restored; the first parish school, erected in 1868; and many old structures. Visitors often journey to the top of Cross Hill that seems to stand as a sentinel watching over the green and beautiful Medina Valley below. The parish cemetery, at the foot of Cross Hill, lures many historians with its numerous grave markers dating back beyond the mid-1800's. Inscriptions on tombstones are in five languages: English, Spanish, German, French and Latin. The Landmark Inn, another well-known tourist attraction, formerly the Vance Hotel, has been open to travelers for well over 100 years. In 1974, the late Miss Ruth Lawler donated the Inn to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The present Landmark Inn State Historic Site has much to offer visitors. There are comfortable rooms to accommodate guests at very reasonable rates. The old structures and lovely grounds are reminiscent of years past and are characteristic of Castroville's pioneer homes. The grounds also include the Old Grist Mill, built in the mid-1800's, and an exhibit area depicting the early history of the Inn and the surrounding area. Picnic visitors planning to arrive in town early might want to spend an evening or two as guests of the Inn. But reservations must be made early at the popular tourist attraction. More information or reservations may be obtained by writing the Park Manager, Landmark Inn State Historical Site, P.O. Box 577, Castroville, TX 78009, or call 210-538-2133.
Beautiful and spacious Castroville Regional Park, in the southwest sector of the city, offers outstanding camping accommodations to early-arriving and/or late-staying picnic goers. Covered with a thick carpet of bermuda grass and shaded by huge pecan trees, the Park provides complete camper hook-ups and camping areas at very low rates. Visitors should phone 210-538-2224 for reservations or more information.
The luxurious Hotel Alsace and Spa, recently renovated and styled in pioneer Alsatian decor, is located on U.S. 90, on the western edge of Castroville. The beautiful Inn, situated on the high ground near Cross Hill, gives their guests a breathtaking view of the quaint little Alsatian settlement in the valley below. Forty comfortable rooms, each with phone, TV, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, to add a touch of days gone by, are furnished for comfort as well as beauty, and are offered to early arriving and late staying picnickers at very reasonable rates. A sundeck overlooking a spacious swimming pool is an added feature as is a relaxing spa with all the amenities. Call 830-538-9517 for reservations and more information.
Sea World of Texas in San Antonio is only a 15 minute drive from Castroville, as is Six Flags/Fiesta Texas. A St. Louis Day visitor might want to plan a two or three day trip to Sea World and Six Flags/Fiesta Texas prior to the celebration, or maybe relax there a few days following the giant festival.
Many early-arriving and somewhat inquisitive visitors are simply content to roam about Koenig Park early on the picnic morning, watching the hometowners readying the meal and entertainment areas on the grounds, take a walk along the Medina River that borders the eastern edge of the Park, chat with old or new friends, or just relax, waiting for the many festivities to begin. And when the action begins, it really begins--with a gigantic meal, fit for a king!! About 500 volunteer workers do their thing, seeing to it that more than 2,000 hungry diners per hour are served the delicious mouth-watering barbecue beef and Alsatian-style sausage meal with all the trimmings--a meal unequaled in quality and quantity. Besides the beef and sausage, tons of potato salad, cole slaw, pinto beans, pickles, thousands of slices of Alsatian bread and homemade cake, and a sea of coffee and tea round out the menu that is guaranteed to satisfy the appetites of the hungriest or finickiest diners.
Serving of the giant meal is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. Highly experienced kitchen chairpersons, will direct the massive food movement from the modern kitchen area to the spacious and comfortable dining pavilion. Two very efficient serving areas will again be utilized to all but eliminate any long waiting in lines. Heaping plates to go will also be available, since many visitors prefer to dine picnic-style, under the shade of the ancient pecan trees, that have shaded picnickers for over a century, or if you choose, plates may be picked up at the convenient drive through located at Braden Keller Center just west of St. Louis Church.
General chairpersons of this year's affair have been busy coordinating the activities of numerous and skilled committee chairpersons as picnic day draws near, and note that advance meal tickets can be purchased at the regular meal price of only $7.00 each. Checks or money orders for tickets should be sent to St. Louis Day Celebration, 610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009.
As picnic day wears on, various food and drink stands will continue to take care of hungry appetites--the barbecue bun stand, the Alsatian sausage-on-bun booth, cake stands, nacho booth, and much more. Cold beer, soft drinks, iced tea, limeade, and chilling wine coolers will be available to wash down the delicious food, and youngsters will surely enjoy the icy sno-cones and ice cream.
As usual, there will be amusements and games, for young and old, at the park all day long. The bingo stand , doll booth, arts and crafts, plants and pretties corner, trash 'n treasures booth, and the dunking machine are among the crowd pleasers. The Annual Horseshoe Pitching Tournament, featuring ladies' and men's categories, the Washer Pitchers, and the St. Louis Downs Futurity will be crowning new champions this year. Kids Korner, featuring numerous boardwalk-type rides and games, will keep the youngsters entertained throughout the afternoon. An always-popular silent auction during the afternoon hours will again be held in the cool confines of spacious air-conditioned Koenig Park Hall as a comfort treat for auction bidders. Home crafted articles and valuable antiques will be among the items available to the picnic guests.
Free live entertainment has again been planned on the grounds throughout the day. The Flemish Folk Dancers will be returning again this year as well as the ever-popular Fire on the Mountain Cloggers. An annual highlight for the mid afternoon stage will again feature the San Antonio Community Band sure to liven the crowd with Big Band favorites and patriotic numbers. Los Mariachis will again wander the grounds providing music and song throughout the park. On the river-side stage, the locally popular Nathan Mathis Band will kick make their home town appearance followed by this year's featured band, Buster Jiggs.
As if that wasn't enough for one day, a second stage under the new St. Louis Day Biergarten Tent will provide entertainment and refreshments all day long. Various music genre will be performed under the big top to the delight of visitors. Davy Suehs and the St. Louis Day Accordian Band will kick off the slate at 11:30 am followed by various entertainers including the always popular Lone Star Statesmen, a fiddlers playoff, The San Antonio Community Band members Oompah Band, Lonny and Cody Ahr with Keith Lutz, and local favorite Sid Fly.
Free parking is available at and near the park or visitors may use the very convenient shuttle buses that will transport guests between the church square and the park all day long. There is NO admission fee to the park grounds.
The annual picnic drawings will cap the day's events. Several beautiful hand-stitched quilts, valued at $1200 to $1500 each, donated by ladies in the parish, will be on the St. Ann's Altar Society quilt drawing. The main "Pot of Gold" drawing, consisting of a slate of over 30 fabulous gift certificates and merchandise prizes, highlighted by a $3,000 pre-paid VISA check card will ring down the curtain on the day. Visit www.saintlouisday.com for more information.
So remember, mark August 21 on your calendar, and head for Castroville, the homecoming paradise. It's guaranteed you'll make many new friends, enjoy visiting old ones, have a super time, and return home with many fond memories of the day.