As has happened for the last 133 years, the famed St. Louis Day Celebration will again open the gates to visitors from all over the state. Dubbed decades ago by the Texas Tourist Agency as "The Homecoming for the State of Texas", the giant festival will again serve tons of barbecued beef, Alsatian style sausage, and food, drink, music, games and fun all day long for friends who make the trip each year to Castroville. According to the Visitors Center guest book, the last few years have attracted visitors from 68 Texas towns and cities, 14 different states, and 11 countries. In only it's 4th year on the shady Koenig Park grounds is one of fastest growing and most popular attractions: The St. Louis Day Biergarten.
According to Frankie Kempf, Publicity Director, the biergarten idea was born, appropriately enough, by a couple of parishioners sitting around a "kegerator" reminiscing about the fond memories of St. Louis Days gone by. The idea was presented to the general chairmen to have a Saturday evening biergarten party who then decided to give it a try, and now it hosts hundreds of visitors on Saturday evening the night before the actual celebration. So, on Saturday, August 22nd aat 6a;30 pm, the Super Saturday Biergarten Party will serve ice cold draught beer, other refreshments and food, and live music for those who will make a weekend out of St. Louis Day. The Boardwalk games will be open for children that night as well.
This year the Dirt Road Cookers will serve the "Biggest Pizza in Texas" similar to the tasty pie they prepared to take their place in the Guiness Book of World Records. Succulent all beef hot dogs, known as Sarge's St Louie Red Hots and piping hot nachos will be served for guests as well as.
In previous years, the gala was held under a giant carnival style tent, but this year will be even better—under nature's tent beneath the shady canopy of the park grounds. With double the area, party-goers will be able to spread out do what is supposed to happen at a homecoming—visit with old friends and make new ones. Dozens of tables will provide plenty of seating for those who wish to get off their feet, and it is not unusual to see guests bring their own lawn chairs and relax the night away to good music, ice cold beer, and good conversation.
Biergarten entertainment chairman, Duane Garza, says that the Saturday night entertainers this year will start off with Davy Suehs and the St. Louis Day Band. A special appearances will also be made by up and coming talent Katy McKenzie at 7 pm. Local area favorites, Parisa will follow on stage at 8:30 pm with their country, rock, and throwback songs. On Sunday Mike Carr and the Lonestar Statesmen will take the stage around noon followed by the very talented Red Dvorak at 3 pm.
Sunday, August 23 is the actual festival day when thousands of visitors flock to "The Little Alsace of Texas". The day will be jam packed with entertainment as there will be 3 different venues on the grounds including the Biergarten, the River Stage, and the dining pavilion entrance. Additional music and dance groups include: local tumblers, the famous Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the Alsatian Dancers of Texas, Julie Boehme and Michelle Wright, The San Antonio Community Band, Mariachis Amador, Blue Shift, Gabe Garcia, and the Jumping Monks. In addition there will be games for young and old including the popular bingo pavilion. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the St. Louis Day Horseshoe Tournament. The washer pitch tourney will be adjacent to the horseshoe pits. Greenhouse plants and a popular flea market know as Just Treasures will provide great deals for visitors who like to shop. The spacious air conditioned hall will house one of the best silent auctions around, and will also host the Country Store.
It's a perfect time make a weekend visit to historic Castroville and the St. Louis Day celebration August 22-23. For more information including hotel accommodations visit www.saintlouisday.com or like St. Louis Day on facebook.
