129 Year-Old Festival is Top Model
NEWS RELEASE H--- For Immediate Release--- ST. LOUIS DAY CELEBRATION
July 22, 2011
Century-Old Festival is Top Model
Further Contact: Frankie Kempf, St. Louis Church,
610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009
Phones: 830-931-2826 or 210-287-2642
CASTROVILLE, TX--For over a century and a quarter, appetites have been drawn to the banks of the Medina River in Castroville, Texas, each August, and with good reason. The famed St. Louis Day Celebration, the model for church festivals, is held each year on the Sunday nearest and prior to Aug. 25, the feast day of the parish's patron saint, St. Louis IX of France. Picnic day this year is Sun., Aug. 21, when the "Homecoming for the State of Texas" is expected to draw as many as ten thousand visitors to Koenig Park in this charming Alsatian village, to help celebrate the festival's 129th birthday. In 1986, the historic picnic was presented an Official Historical Marker by the Texas Historical Commission which traces the history, growth and significance of the more than century-and-a-quarter-old affair.
A 9:00 morning Mass on celebration day in 140 year old, majestic St. Louis Catholic Church, celebrated by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will kick off the picnic events. The famed internationally-known Liederkranz Choir from San Antonio will sing the Mass for the 28th year. Rev Jim Conway is pastor of the St. Louis parish family.
At Koenig Park, a delicious barbecue beef and Alsatian-style sausage dinner, served from 11:00 a.m. till about 2:00 p.m., complimented by generous helpings of potato salad, cabbage slaw, and ranch-style pinto beans, will be the highlight of the day's events, ample proof that a trip to Castroville is well worthwhile. Plates are also available, either at the park or at the drive through located at Braden Keller Center near the St. Louis Church. "The Little Alsace of Texas" is located just l5 minutes west of Sea World of Texas and Six Flags/Fiesta Texas, both in San Antonio, on U.S. Hwy. 90.
Afternoon food booths of all kinds promise to keep appetites in check--sausage buns, barbecue buns, nachos and homemade cake--and ice cold beer, soft drinks, refreshing iced tea, limeade, and chilled wine coolers are available to wash down the delicious food. Visitors and townsfolk will enjoy entertainment, games and amusements all day long. These will include a big afternoon silent auction, in the cool comfort of spacious AIR CONDITIONED Koenig Park Hall, the doll booth, arts and crafts, plant booths, trash and treasurers, bingo , Kiddie Korner for the youngsters, free live entertainment on two outdoor stages including the new St. Louis Day Biergarten featuring bands, singing and dance groups. The 36th annual St. Louis Day Horseshoe Pitching Tournament will pit the skills of past ladies' and men's picnic champions against those of numerous challengers, pitching for the 2011 championship trophies, and the St. Louis Downs Race Track will crown its new champion for the thirteenth straight year.
Advance meal tickets are available at the regular meal price of only $7.00 each. Checks or money orders should be sent to St. Louis Day Celebration, 610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009.
The annual picnic "Pot of Gold" drawing that ends the day's activities features a giant slate of 30-plus fabulous merchandise prizes and gift certificates highlighted by a $3,000 pre-paid VISA check card. Another special drawing will be held, featuring several extra-large beautiful hand-stitched quilts, valued at about $1200 to 1500 each.
Free parking is available at or near the park, and free shuttle buses will operate between the park and town square (in front of St. Louis Church) and other strategic stops. There is NO admission charge to enter the park grounds on picnic day. Visit www.saintlouisday.com for more information.