History of the Olde Tyme Picnic

The St. Peters Olde Tyme Picnic was started in 1969 by our own American Legion and Women's Auxiliary as a family picnic and their primary fund raiser. Over the next 7 years, the event grew to be more than just a Bar-be-que and street dance. The ILL-MO Tractor & Engine Club asked to exhibit to help educate our young folks how important farming was in our Midwest area and how it had progressed. The display also helped to increase proceeds.

In 1976, other service clubs became involved in response to a bicentennial effort to do something big and very special. The Board of Alderman appointed a Bicentennial Commission to oversee coordination of special events and work to help the legion. It was then established that all food and game booths would be sponsored by non-profit organizations and 10% of their proceeds would go back to the commission to help purchase the old school house property to establish a city museum.

The picnic continued to be a huge success for everyone, except the commission. They found the money earned each year was needed to fund the next year's picnic. In 1983, the St. Peters Olde Tyme Picnic Committee was formed to continue the community service, family fun and glimpse of our farming heritage.

The City of St. Peters has always been a supportive partner in making the picnic a success. The parks department spends hundreds of hours preparing the parks for the thousands of visitors we receive. To honor the original wishes of our founding fathers, the committee has tried to do something to better the parks each year. Our 2001 donation added more lights to Lone Wolff Park. In the past we purchased bleachers, added a building for storage in the main park and have tried to keep the picnic prosperous each year to help over 45 non-profit organizations in the community. All game and food booths still contribute 10% of their proceeds as seed money for the next year. The craft booths pay a fee for space and the charge for the modern tractor pull helps keep this event alive.

We would like to continue working toward keeping the old values alive for our children yet bringing some good olde family fun with some modern enhancements. We are always looking for new ideas and help, so feel free to contact us through e-mail or join us at one of our monthly meetings. We meet the last Wednesday of the month, January through June at the American Legion Post 313 at the corner of Park and Main Street in Old Town St. Peters. We hope to see you at the picnic!