The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SOUP PICNIC

EVERY LABOR DAY, FOR AT LEAST FORTY YEARS, BUT NOT SINCE 1971,
THE ROHR FAMILY HELD WHAT THEY CALLED A "SOUP PICNIC." EACH INDI-
VIDUAL FAMILY WOULD BRING A PAN OF VEGETABLE SOUP, AND AT THE PICNIC
SITE (WHICH TRADED OFF FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY YEARLY) THE SOUPS WOULD
BE COMBINED IN A BIG BUTCHERING KETTLE, AND HEATED OVER AN OPEN
FIRE. THE FAMILY MADE A DAY OF IT, AND WOULD EAT THE SOUP BOTH FOR
LUNCH AND SUPPER THAT DAY.
WHEN THE CUSTOM FIRST STARTED, THE MEALS CONSISTED SOLELY OF
SOUP AND CRACKERS. AFTER A FEW YEARS, CORN ON THE COB WAS ADDED,
SINCE MANY OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE GROWING IT, AND IT WAS PLENTI-
FUL DURING THE LATE SUMMER. AFTER A FEW YEARS, DESSERTS WERE ALSO
ADDED TO THE TRADITION, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT AT THAT--NEVER ANY
SIDE DISHES, OR MEAT (OTHER THAN THAT IN THE SOUP ITSELF.) (IN MY
WORDS)

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973