Dublin Bottling Works Celebrates 121st Year

Dublin to host giant outdoor party

Texas’ oldest bottling plant, Dublin Bottling Works, celebrates 121 years on June 9.

The daylong celebration honoring the bottling plant's historic birthday will be highlighted by the unveiling of "The New Kids" - seven "retro renovation" soft drink flavors manufactured with pure cane sugar by Dublin Bottling Works.

The new flavors are: Vintage Cola, Retro Grape, Retro Creme Soda, Cherry Limeade, Vanilla Cream, Orange Cream and Tart-n-Sweet Lemonade. The seven new beverages will be available for sampling at the Thirst Station in Celebration Park adjacent to Old Doc's Soda Shop.

Another star of the show will be the old-time Triple XXX Root Beer, which was first produced in 1908 in Galveston. Root Beer float, anyone?

Absent from the celebration will be Dublin Dr Pepper, which, along with the end of the Mayan calendar, sparked speculation of an impending apocalypse. This will be the first birthday celebration without the flagship soda.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, the behemoth corporation that sued for the end of a legacy, and won, will likely not be offered any of the Triple XXX Root Beer birthday cake prepared by Debbie’s Specialties in Dublin.

The celebration kicks off with the Dublin Lions Club's annual 10-2-4K run. The 10K and 4K start at 7 a.m., followed by the 2K at 8 a.m. The races begin and end at the bottling plant, with proceeds benefiting local and area Lions Club projects.

Award-winning sand artist Jon Woodworth will create a sculpture honoring "Triple XXX and the New Kids," and acclaimed artist George Boutwell of Clifton will return with his sought-after prints depicting scenes from rural Texas.

Other festivities will include a performance by country music artist Layne Golden and his band from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The annual Tour de Pepper bicycle race, benefiting Kids Across Cultures, starts and ends at Dublin High School.

The popular Alley Fest arts and crafts show will begin on June 8 in Hogan's Alley across the street from the bottling plant. Booths will be open from 5 p.m. until dark on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Tours of the antique bottling line and two museums will be free all day, with guides recounting the history of Dublin Bottling Works, which was founded by Sam Houston Prim in 1891.

Whether you’re thirsty for something new, raring to race, itching for country culture, or just looking for a good time, the Dublin festivities have got you covered.

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