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Last updated 5:08 am CT February 09, 2010.
Chester Prepares for Popeye Picnic
And the city continues to celebrate their native son, with a series of new statues--among other things.
Inside the Spinach Can Collectibles Museum in Chester you'll find everything from cans of spinach, to Popeye back scratchers, to the most popular item, character T-shirts.
"Everybody wants a souvenir Chester: Home of Popeye t-shirt, it's the biggest thing," said Debbie Brooks.
She and her husband opened the store and museum in 1994 after moving to Chester from Memphis. They've created a fan club devoted to the sailor man and Debbie is a trustee for the Popeye Picnic committee.
"We've got new rides , so many new things this year. Hy Eisner has been drawing Popeye since 19-94 and will be our guest this year."
So will the other four contributors to the new Popeye comic book. There's only five thousand in production.
This year, the committee will unveil a new granite statute along the character trail. Fans flock to see Wimpy, Olive Oyl and Sweet Pea, and Bluto. Soon, Castor Oyl and Bernice the Whiffle Hen will be put in stone.
"Castor Oyl is Olive Oyl's brother. Bernice the Whiffle hen is a bird with three feathers on her head that are rubbed for good luck. Those two are responsible for Popeye even existing in the comic strip."
That's because in 1919, Elise Seegar first created the Oyl family as a part of the Thimble Theater comic strip.
"They needed someone to steer the boat to Dice Island, so Castor Oyl and Bernice knew about Popeye and that's where he came into the story."
Lots of other characters joined the story too. And will join the trail. By 2020, there will be a total of 16 statues around Chester, including this bronze on of Popeye built in 1977.
"We get people from all over the world, 63 countries and all 50 states. This is great for Chester. The more people here the better. The more statues that go up the better it's going to be."
The Bluto statue has been the most expensive. It cost $20,000. Debbie says donors help cover the cost.
"We even have a guy in Cape Girardeau who has it in his will if he dies between now and whenever, some of the money from his will goes to these statues."
The 30th annual Popeye Picnic is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Many of the activities take place at Cole Memorial Park.
The parade is Saturday morning at eleven. The new Castor Oyl statue will be unveiled at one o'clock Saturday in front of Chester Memorial Hospital. And fireworks are planned for Sunday night at eight o'clock.
by Kevin Hunsperger
khunsperger@wsiltv.com
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