Collinsville Catsup Festival thinks outside the bottle
The 17th annual Brooks World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival Birthday Party & Car Show is ready to pour on the fun on Sunday at a new location — Woodland Park in Collinsville.
But all the family favorites will return: Ketchup tasting, hot dogs smothered-in-ketchup eating contest, Hula-hoop competition, water balloon toss, the Big Bottle Bike Ride and an antique car show. And the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders will be on hand to root for the home team.
The 170-foot-tall water tower was built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Co. for the bottlers of Brooks ketchup. The bottle was saved from demolition in 1995 and restored to its original appearance. In August 2002, it was named to the National Register of Historic Places. Good reason to celebrate.
Trailnet’s Big Bottle Bike Ride starts at 7:30 a.m.
Here’s a look at the rest of the schedule:
10 a.m. Food vendors, entertainment and kids activities all day; Brooks Tangy Catsup taste test (free to all tasters)
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration for C.I.A (Cruizin’ In Antiques) Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show
10:30 a.m. Opening ceremony, singing of the National Anthem; Little Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup Contest
11:15 a.m. Hot dogs smothered-in-ketchup eating contest
11:45 a.m. Watermelon eating contest
Noon-3 p.m. St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders will be on hand for free photos and autographs.
12:15 p.m. Singing of “Happy Birthday”; free birthday cupcakes
12:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald Magic Show; he will be available for photos and autographs after the show.
1 p.m. Old-fashioned birthday party games. Free children’s games of Musical Chairs and Please Pass the Catsup
2 p.m. Hula-Hoop contest
2:30 p.m. Water balloon toss for all ages
3 p.m. C.I.A. Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show trophy presentation and 50/50 drawing
4:30 p.m. Grand Prize Drawing
The Horseshoe Restaurant & Lounge will sell adult beverages. Proceeds will go toward restoration of the historic horseshoe-shaped sign, once adorned with neon tracer lights.
The Collinsville-Maryville Evening Lions Club will sell pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and brats. But the real treat is they will sell you a raffle ticket for a chance to win a car —a classic 1964 Lincon Continental.
Smithton Turner Picnic
If you’re in the mood for that Famous Turner Fish, head to Turner Park on Friday and Saturday for the Smithton Turner Picnic.
There will be carnival rides and games both days; a beer garden; bingo’ a basket raffle; sausage, fruit and pillowcase stands; a silent auction; and a cake raffle. Music is by Champagne Fixx on Friday and Old Salt Union at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Church picnics
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PICNIC, Friday and Saturday, 515 Locust St. Red Bud. A fish dinner starts serving at 5 p.m. Friday and an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner buffet is set for 3 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, both in the air-conditioned hall. A Polka Mass is at 4 p.m. Saturday. Quilt and cash bingo starts at 7 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. There will also be laser tag, a country store, a basket stand, games for adults and kids, a raffle and an outdoor food stand. The 5K Knights of Columbus Red Bud Round run/walk will be held at 7 p.m. Friday (www.sjbredbud.parishesonline.com).
ST. DAMIAN PICNIC, Saturday, Damiansville. A cafeteria-style supper of fried chicken, sauerbraten with homemade noodles, sides and desserts begins at 3:30 p.m. in the air-conditioned parish hall. Masses are at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Quilt cash bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments, games and novelties are also part of the action.
This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Collinsville Catsup Festival thinks outside the bottle."