What would America be like without a long list of the "World's Biggest" items?
Over the years, I've seen the world's biggest rocking chair (in Missouri), the biggest 8-ball (also Missouri... maybe there's a trend), the biggest basket (Ohio) and too many more roadside oddities to name.
Here in Madison County, IL, specifically in the city of Collinsville, we have our own kitschy Americana claim to fame: The World's Largest Catsup Bottle.
A 170-foot-tall water tower, the bottle was constructed in 1949 by the bottlers of Brooks rich and tangy catsup. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and is regularly featured as a stop for car cruises and Route 66 enthusiasts.
Why write about the bottle now? Because it's time for the annual celebration of everyone's favorite condiment. The party takes place at the American Legion Hall (which, incidentally boasts of having the Midwest's best fish at their every-Friday fish fries) on Vandalia (Hwy. 159) in Collinsville on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008.
In addition to paying homage to the bottle, the party includes a classic and custom car show both days, hotdog eating contests, catsup taste tests, music, vendors and plenty of quirky activities.
Learn more at www.catsupbottle.com. 
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About the Author: Nancy Milton, GRI, is a REALTOR with the GoshenRealtyGroup at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Kristina Pratt help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs with special emphasis on homes for sale in Madison County and the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Bethalto and surrounding areas.
Goshen Realty Group takes its name from the earliest nickname for Madison County, Illinois -- the Land of Goshen -- coined when the region's first settlers compared their new home east of the Mississippi River to the biblical land of peace and plenty.
For more information, visit GoshenRealtyGroup.com or e-mail Nancy at Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. Text or call Nancy at 618-791-8007. REMAX Preferred Partners is located at One 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Please note that individual listings periodically mentioned in this blog are accurately described in terms of availability and price at the time of the posting. Because properties are constantly coming on and off the market, please contact Nancy for the latest information on those that are of particular interest to you.
