St E CYO Reunion Gazette

Mayor of St. E Edition

 Saturday Nov 12, 2011 
THE Metro-East Homecoming Event
Over the years it has grown from parish picnic to THE Metro-East event
of the year, a homecoming attracting thousands from across the area.
Dennis Riggs, Class of ’72, has been the guiding energy behind its
success. The picnic is held every year on the weekend before Father’s
Day.

Planning for the picnic never really ends. Dennis and his team of
volunteers are on the constant lookout for new ideas for booths, food,
bands, and entertainers. Some ideas have come from venues such as
the Taste of Chicago while others are more homegrown: parishioner
Pete Krieshok and his band “American Originals” have performed at the
picnic several times.

Last year’s picnic featured thirty-three different booths and attractions.

On the reunion website:
More than 500 parishioners offered their time and energy to the all-
- more St. E School Essays:
volunteer effort. The picnic is a major financial contributor to the
What was St. E like 50 years ago?
parish.
- Growing Up STL
Thanks to Dennis and the entire team. - Reunion Facebook page
email: cyoreunion@gmail.com

Catching Up: Dennis Riggs, “The Mayor of St. E”

Things Money Can’t Buy
 Hot dog w/ relish:
 Pork sandwich:
 Quilt Raffle ticket:
 Carnival ride:
 500 Volunteers working
together to support their
parish community: Priceless
Fellow parishioners call Dennis Riggs, the “Mayor of St. E”.
With his outgoing personality and 35 years in the food service
industry, Dennis is the perfect maestro for something as
$2.00 festive as the annual parish picnic, attracting thousands each
$3.00 year. Running the picnic is actually very similar to running a
$5.00 small town. The picnic has a public safety team, medical staff,
$1.25 parking attendants, sanitation crew, radio communications team, committees,
entertainers, and restaurateurs. By acclamation, Dennis retains his “mayoral” title
year after year. In addition to his “mayoral” duties, Dennis is also auditor & CFO.
Dennis’ track record of organizing and leading the team of volunteers is seen
below.

The St. E Parish Picnic has been Attendance and Revenue

organized for the last 22 years by CYO Bigger and Better Every Year
President ’72 Dennis Riggs.


St. E Parish Picnic By the Numbers
 # St. E Volunteers: > 500
 # booths & attractions: 33 1990
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 202010
21
 Annual attendance: ~ 10,000 Parish picnic Intergalactic party