A Traveler in Town
NEWS RELEASE G--- For Immediate Release--ST. LOUIS DAY CELEBRATION
July 22, 2011
A Traveler in Town
Further Contact: Frankie Kempf, St. Louis Church,
610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009
Phones: 830-931-2826 or 210-287-2642 (cell)
CASTROVILLE TX--Any traveler passing through the little city of Castroville, Texas, on the Sunday of a St. Louis Day Celebration must be just a little bewildered at the activities taking place in this small Alsatian village. And so it will be again this year, Sunday, August 21, the date of the annual affair. The city limits sign on the outskirts of town indicated a population of around 3,000, but on this day--Castroville's big day of the year--there may be there may be several more times that number roaming about town. U.S. Hwy 90, leading into town, produces a steady stream of vehicles taking most of the folks to Koenig Park, the site of each "Homecoming for the State of Texas," St. Louis Day. Castroville is located just 15 minutes west of Sea World of Texas and Six Flags/Fiesta Texas, both in San Antonio.
Automobiles line all the streets within several blocks of the Park, vacant lots in town have been quickly converted into parking lots, and free shuttle buses are busy transporting eager picnic-goers from the church parking lot and other bus stops down to the park, free of charge. The traveler also observes visitors strolling through the "Little Alsace of Texas," doing a bit of sightseeing, before heading for the celebration. Century-old homes and structures are everywhere to be seen, almost all are still in use. Majestic 141 year-old St. Louis Catholic Church, the Moye Formation Center grounds with all its century-old buildings, the old Landmark Inn State Historic Site, and numerous antique shops are the most noteworthy.
What the eyes don't reveal, the traveler's sense of smell will. The un-mistakable aroma of beef cooking over mesquite coals and Alsatian-style sausage boiling in huge cooking vats, fills the air in every crack and crevice of town. This mouthwatering scent of the famed St. Louis Day meal, escaping the confines of Koenig Park, lures many a traveler off the highway and down to the Park to literally "see what's cooking." Once on the park grounds, the visitor soon gets swept away by the spirit of fellowship the the famed festival is noted for. New friends are quickly made, and it's not uncommon at all for an old friend, not seen in many years, to pop up unseemingly out of nowhere to make the day even more pleasant.
For the townsfolk, every St. Louis Day picnic is just about the same. It means work--hard work--that began long before this day; but they do it wil-ingly, having their share of fun while preparing their tasks. Making thousands of people feel at home is something these folks are good at. Good old southern hospitality and that "just folks" atmosphere have been an inseparable part of each and every St. Louis Day for over a century, and this year when the annual picnic celebrates its 129th birthday, none of that will change.
At 11:00 a.m., after the 500 volunteer picnic workers have completed their annual ritual of making last minute festival preparations, the serious business of digging into that much talked-about and long-awaited St. Louis Day dinner--a barbecue beef and Alsatian-style sausage feast with all the trimmings that is unequaled in quality and quantity--enters the minds of the hungry festival guests. When the meal lines begin to form, and the picnicker decides he can no longer wait to eat, two efficient serving areas spring into action to keep the meal lines short. Food is piled in heaping portions on plates in expert fashion, and soon, diners are seated under the huge modern dining pavilion enjoying the delicious meal. Two thousand folks an hour can be served until about 2 p.m. or when the food runs out. Plates to go are also available, since many of the picnic-goers prefer their scrumptious meal on the park grounds, in true picnic style, beneath the shade of a century-old pecan tree. A drive through is also available at Braden Keller Center near the St. Louis Church for plates to go. All plates are served for the amazingly low cost of only $7.00 each.
By mid-afternoon, the big meal gives way to numerous food stands on the park grounds, featuring Alsatian sausage buns, barbecue buns, nachos and delicious homemade cake. Cold beer, soft drinks, iced tea, limeade, and chilled wine coolers are available to wash down the delicious food and frosty sno-cones and ice cream do their job of keeping a body cool.
Amusements, games, and rides, for young and old, are sprinkled throughout the park and horseshoe pitchers are battling it out for the 2011 championship trophies. For the 13th year the at St. Louis Downs Race Track, another champion will be crowned. The Horseshoe and Washer Pitch tournaments will also be looking to see if last year's champs can be dethroned. Live entertainment on two outdoor stages prompts many popular dance-and sing-alongs including Big Band Era, Contemporary Pop, and Golden Oldies. Popular Mariachis will roam the grounds throughout the day. New this year will be the first St. Louis Day Biergarten. Entertainment and cold refreshments will be available under the big top beginning at 11:30 am and continuing until the day winds down. Auction bidders will again enjoy a special comfort treat, as the popular afternoon silent auction takes place inside spacious Air Conditioned Koenig Park Hall as in years past. On the other side of the park, Kiddie Korner offers a wide variety of rides and boadwalk type games to keep the youngsters entertained.
And then, it seems, just as quickly as it began, it is over. The annual picnic drawings are held. Several extra-large hand-stitched quilts, valued at $1200 to $1500 each are given away in one drawing, and an attractive array of 30-plus fabulous merchandise prizes and gift certificates make up the main "Pot of Gold" picnic drawing with a grand prize $3,000 pre-paid VISA check card.
Friends and acquaintances bid their farewells and part, a traveler will move on his way, but memories of the wonderful day will linger, even with a passing traveler, for years to come, and plans for attending next year's picnic will soon be made. Visit www.saintlouisday.com for more information.