Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2009

Collinsville's landmark catsup bottle to get new coat of paint

Water tower last painted 14 years ago

Crews were expected to begin repainting the World's Largest Catsup Bottle on Monday in Collinsville.

The Brooks giant catsup bottle water tower last received a fresh coat of paint 14 years ago when a nationwide "Paint It" campaign by the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group raised enough money to have it restored and prevent it from being demolished.

Unlike the previous restoration, there is no need for a massive volunteer fund-raising effort this time.

Judy DeMoisy, known as the Catsup Bottle Lady, created the preservation group in 1993 and coordinated the effort to get the job done this year.

"We've been working behind the scenes for a while now," she said. "All the pieces came together late last week, and it's time to get it done."

Diversified Coatings of O'Fallon will handle the painting. It is the same company that performed the restoration in 1995.

"The catsup bottle is actually owned by Bethel-Eckert Enterprises, not the city as a lot of people think," DeMoisy said. "Thanks to the generosity of Bethel-Eckert, the project is under way. We can't thank them enough for taking care of this."

The project can be followed online at www.catsupbottle.com.

The 11th annual World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival Birthday Party and Car Show is scheduled for July 12. Everyone is invited to celebrate at American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia in Collinsville. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event features ketchup tasting, a hot dog eating contest, food vendors, craft booths and live music. Old-fashioned birthday party games will include musical chairs, pass the ketchup, a hula hoop competition, water balloon toss and a special version of spin the bottle.

Other highlights include Trailnet's Big Bottle Bicycle Ride, 3- to 6-year old girls and boys competing for the titles of Little Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup, and The Cruzin' In Antiques classic and custom car, truck and motorcycle show.

Additional information about the festival can be found at: www.catsupbottlefestival.com.