"With the economy like it is and unemployment high in our area, we wanted to do something for parishioners and the communities around us," says Dennis Riggs, picnic chairman. "We realize it costs a family a lot of money to attend our parish picnic, considering food, drinks, games and rides. So we are designating Sunday afternoon, June 10, as 'Family Day' at our picnic, and are rolling back prices that day for hamburgers, fries, hotdogs, nachos, soda and lemonade to our 1991 prices of $1 each. The price of matinee wristbands for rides Sunday afternoon will also be rolled back to our 1994 prices."

Other free activities include an artist doing caricatures for no charge; a magician performing tricks; a juggler, mime, Elmo and Cookie Monster characters; a stilt walker, a local high school band and a strolling three-piece combo.

Families can have photos taken with the Cardinals World Series Trophy, and with Fredbird, the Cardinals mascot, and retired Cardinal Kerry Robinson will be there signing autographs.

"The whole idea of Family Day is to give something back to those in the community who otherwise might not be able to afford to participate in such a family event," Riggs says.