Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down the Catsup Bottle’s leg…
left to right: The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in the Christmas Spirit, The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle ready for The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival, July 13, 2014 at the American Legion Post 365 / Image by Roger Starkey
Following four months of watching over southern Collinsville from his perch atop one leg of the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, and more than two months of spirited social media speculation about when he would be taken down, Santa Claus was removed from the iconic landmark on April 1.
President and CEO of the non-profit World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Inc., Mike Gassmann, said he was notified at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday that the big man was going back into storage, where had been for 10 years before making a protracted visit to the Catsup Bottle, starting in early December.
“I had no idea it was going to happen,” Gassmann said. “I’m really glad it wasn’t an April Fools’ joke.”
The IBEW Local 309 and J.F. Electric teamed to remove Santa. Gassmann said he is unsure if St. Nick will return to the former water tower this holiday season.
Related stories:
Snow, cold strand Santa on the Catsup Bottle
After 10-year hiatus, Saint Nick back at Collinsville’s favorite landmark
