"Popeye Statue: Crystal City" Texas Off The Beaten Path Tip by Stephen-KarenConn

Crystal City proclaims itself Spinach Capital of the World, and since 1937 a statue of Popeye has stood in front of the city hall. You remember Popeye the Sailor Man, the cartoon character who gains superhuman strength every time he opens and eats can of spinach.

This town of just over 8,000 people is 110 milees southwest of San Antoniio on the south Texas plains, and is the seat of Zavala County. It is a primary center for packing, processing, and shipping vegetables, and the commercial hub for a large ranching area. This winter-garden area produces large quantities of onions, carrots, tomatoes and peppers, but it is best known for its spinach crop, and its statue of Popeye.

Every November Crystal City holds a Spinach Festival, a week-long event which includes a Miss Spinach Festival Queen's Pageant, live entertainment, carnival rides, booths, softball and golf tournaments, a spinach cook-off and more.

Directions:
Crystal City is on US-83, about 120 miles southwest of San Antonio and 43 miles from the Mexican border at Eagle Pass.

Phone: 1-830-374-3161
Website: http://www.usacitiesonline.com/txcountycrystalcity.htm