Upcoming Travel
NEWS RELEASE C------- For Immediate Release -------ST. LOUIS DAY, CASTROVILLE
July 22, 2011
Upcoming Travel
Further Contact-- Frankie Kempf --St. Louis Church,
610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009
Phones: 830-931-2826, 210-287-2642 (cell)
CASTROVILLE, TX--On Sunday, August 21, St. Louis Day Celebration number 129, officially designated as the "Homecoming for the State of Texas" some years ago by the Texas Tourist Agency, offers a meal of Alsatian-style sausage and barbecue beef, surrounded by local arts and crafts, entertainment and "just folks" atmosphere.
THE CELEBRATION, Castroville's big day, begun in 1882 as a small church homecoming, last year attracted several thousand visitors to the historic Alsatian settlement. Castroville, on U.S. 90, just 15 minutes west of Sea World of Texas and Six Flags/Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites in Washington, D.C. It is the only Alsatian colony of its kind, according to reliable sources in Alsace, and offers visiting sightseers a worthwhile treat as they drive or stroll about the 167 year-old history-laden community.
MEAL SERVING under a huge modern dining pavilion, with no waiting in long lines, begins at 11:00 a.m. and lasts till about 2:00 p.m. Entertainment on the spacious park grounds lasts throughout the afternoon. Besides a large assortment of games and rides for the youngsters, grown ups will be enjoying all types of live entertainment. Already scheduled are numerous singing and dance groups set to perform on the two festival stages. Performing groups on the river-side stage include the widely known Fire on the Mountain Cloggers from San Antonio, the Flemish Folk Dancers, from the Belgium American Club of Texas, the locally popular, Nathan Mathis Band, and featured band, Buster Jiggs. On the new St. Louis Day Biergarten stage various performers including the St. Louis Day Accordion Band, The Lonestar Statesmen, an "Oompah" band, country and blue grass fiddlers, Lonny and Cody Ahr with Keith Lutz, and Sid Fly will entertain guests under the cool big top. Mariachis will stroll the grounds throughout the day and the always popular San Antonio Community Band will perform a 2-hour concert near the dining pavilion. A giant auction, in spacious air-conditioned Koenig Park Hall, features numerous antiques, as well as many specialty items, and a multitude of food and drink booths on the shady park grounds keep the appetites in check. The 36th Annual St. Louis Day Horseshoe Tournament will pit the pitching skills of the best pitchers in the area, battling it out for the 2011 tourney championship trophies, while the 13th Annual St. Louis Downs will crown its champion as well. The annual picnic drawings, one featuring beautiful hand-stitched quilts, valued at about $1200 to $1500 each, and the main "Pot of Gold" drawing, will cap the day's events. This drawing features a giant slate of over 30 fabulous gift certificates and merchandise prizes including a $3,000 Prepaid VISA check card.
MEAL TICKETS for heaping plates of both barbecue and sausage, and all the extras are only $7.00. Plates to go are also available at the same price, either at the park or at the drive through located at Braden Keller Center just west of St. Louis Church. Advance tickets may be ordered at the regular meal price by sending check or money order to St. Louis Day Celebration, 610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009.
PLENTY OF FREE PARKING is available at or near the park and shuttle buses will make frequent runs between the church square and the park all picnic day. There is NO charge to get on the park grounds on festival day. Go to www.saintlouisday.comfor more information.