Many have described the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Seminary Picnic as a community reunion — and it most certainly is.
Between 15-20,000 people from Perryville and throughout the region attend the Seminary Picnic during the first weekend in August each year.
The Seminary Picnic, with a theme of “Where Friends Meet Friends From Everywhere,” has been bringing people together since 1901 and is the oldest festival in Perry County. This year’s event — the 123rd — opens Friday and runs through Sunday at the Seminary Picnic Grounds on Hwy. T in Perryville.
“The Seminary Picnic is a place where people can enjoy themselves, have a good time, and just sit back and relax,” said committee spokesperson Randy Dickmann. “They know summer’s coming to an end, and it’s a one final get-together.”
Dickmann said he is particularly excited about this year's event's newest addition: a Handmade Craft Fair, which will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. until closing.
“It’s something different that we’ve never had before,” he said. “Local vendors and craftspeople are invited to take part. The Seminary Picnic is proud to showcase the talents of our local artisans and craftspeople. Everyone is encouraged to browse the booths to find unique, handcrafted items they won't find anywhere else.”
In addition to the new Homemade Craft Fair, Dickmann said other favorites are returning again this year. They include riding the historic wooden carousel built in 1905 by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, New York, carnival rides by Fountain City Amusements, kiddie rides, a washer tournament, games of all kinds and, of course, Bingo.
“Bingo is a very popular part of the Seminary Picnic,” Dickmann said. “It will be held from 7- 9 p.m. Friday, 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday.”
In years past, beauty pageants and play performances entertained the guests, but what once began as a simple family picnic has blossomed into an enormous event that still has a small-town atmosphere — thanks in large part to the delicious food.
Visitors can partake of home-cooked chicken and dumplings, kettle-cooked beef, fried chicken, slaw, cakes, fruit salad, potato salad, and various refreshments. The meal will be served buffet-style from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Meal tickets go on sale an hour before on both days and are $14 for adults, and $6 for children between the ages of 9 and 12.
The picnic will also offer live entertainment with The Ables playing Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. on the main stage with Umbra on the Pavilion Stage. The Waterloo German Band will play Saturday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., while the Well Hungarians finish up the night from 7 to 11 p.m. Bootheel Underground and Kickin’ Kountry will play Sunday at the Main stage from 3 to 7 p.m.
Throughout the year, the parish's quilting committee sews well over 100 handcrafted quilts, meeting three times a week to accomplish this momentous task. Some visitors play bingo all day, every day during the picnic weekend, hoping to win one of the quilts.
All proceeds from the picnic go back to the parish to support the St. Vincent de Paul schools and other parish activities.
“We invite everyone to come down and enjoy themselves,” Dickmann said. “All you have to do is stay in one spot, and you’ll meet somebody that you know.”
