We're Not Getting Older, We're Just Getting Better!
NEWS RELEASE L--For Immediate Release--CASTROVILLE'S ST. LOUIS DAY
July 22, 2011
"We're Not Getting Older, We're Just Getting Better!"
Further Contact: Frankie Kempf, St. Louis Church,
610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009
Phones: 830-931-2826 or 210-287-2642 (cell)
CASTROVILLE, TX--On Sunday, Aug. 21, the famed St. Louis Day Celebration will be celebrating its 129th birthday, and townsfolk, when questioned about the age of the "Homecoming for the State of Texas," often echo the words of the old saying, "We're not getting any older, we're just getting better!"
Proof of this is the fact that in 1986 the century-old affair was presented an Official Historical Marker from the Texas Historical Commission, which traces the illustrious history, growth and significance of St. Louis Day. So, even though the most famous one-day church festival in all the land is over a century-and-a-quarter-old, it is truly getting better. For nowhere else can one be treated to a day packed with all a picnicker could possibly hope for.
On picnic day there is food, scrumptious food, and plenty of it, to satisfy the appetite of even the finickiest eater. Heaping plates of Alsatian-style sausage and juicy barbecue beef, with trimmings of cole slaw, potato salad and pinto beans, washed down with iced tea or piping hot coffee, and topped off with a huge slice of homemade cake, is in itself enough to make the day worthwhile. Advance meal tickets are available at the regular ticket price of only $7.00. Send check or money order to St. Louis Day Celebration, 610 Madrid, Castroville, TX 78009.
Numerous food and drink booths and stands are everywhere on the Koenig Park grounds, the site of the picnic, to keep appetites in check throughout the afternoon. Following the giant dinner that starts at 11:00 a.m., under the giant dining pavilion, or plates to go that can be devoured in the shade of ancient pecan trees, one can avail himself of goodies the likes of sausage buns, barbecue buns, nachos and homemade cake. Lots of cold beer and soft drinks, iced tea, limeade and chilling wine coolers compliment the fine food.
Following a 9:00 a.m. Mass in historic 141 year old St. Louis Catholic Church, celebrated by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, and sung by the famous Liederkranz Men's Choir from San Antonio, all attention will focus on Koenig Park, where free live entertainment on two outdoor stages and all about the grounds is provided all day long. Bands, singing and dance groups, and local talent are all part of the merrymaking, featuring The Flemish Folk Dancers, The Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the San Antonio Community Big Band, The Nathan Mathis Band, and Buster Jiggs. The all new St. Louis Day Biergarten will feature the St. Louis Day Accordion Band, The Lonestar Statesmen, the San Antonio Community Band "Oompah" Ensemble, country and bluegrass fiddlers, Lonny and Cody Ahr with Keith Lutz and Sid Fly. Singing echoes from every corner of the park, including mariachis who will stroll the grounds throughout the day. Old and new friends meet and often "relive" many a St. Louis Day gone by. There are games of all sorts for old and young, and the big afternoon auction will take place inside the cool confines of spacious AIR CONDITIONED Koenig Park Hall. Kiddie Korner, with a large assortment of games and rides, candy, soft drinks, ice cream, and sno-cones, promises to keep the youngsters entertained and satisfied.
The annual picnic drawings will ring down the curtain on a perfect day of fun, fellowship and entertainment. Several extra-large beautiful hand-stitched quilts, valued at $1200 to $1500 each and a giant slate of thirty-plus fabulous gift certificates and merchandise prizes will go to lucky winners in the annual picnic drawings. Top prize is a $3000 pre-paid VISA check card.
Free parking is available at or near the park, and free shuttle buses will make frequent trips between the park and the Church square all day long.
There is NO admission charge to enter the park grounds picnic day. Visit www.saintlouisday.com for more information.
So, mark your calendar now--Sunday, August 21--and join us for the ultimate in merrymaking, feasting and fellowship. See you at Koenig Park!!