Fun and Games at the Company Picnic

Each summer many companies hold an outdoor gathering for employees and their families. It is a time for coworkers and managers to mingle in an informal setting as they participate in various activities and share a meal.

Pearl Brewing Company, located in San Antonio until 2001, held its annual company picnics in local parks. The Pearl picnic followed the traditional pattern of organized games in the afternoon, followed by dinner and dancing in the evening. Often, a photographer was hired to record the events of the day.

These images are from the Zintgraff Studio Photograph Collection (MS 355). They document some of the Pearl picnics held during the late 1950s to the late 1960s.

 

Contest winners with their prizes, a Vacucel insulated jug cooler and a fishing pole, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-4)

 

Horseshoe pitching, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-3)

 

Preparations for an Egg Toss, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-1)

Egg Toss, Raymond Russell Park, August 1964. (MS 355: Z-1807-E-45132)

Rolling pin toss, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-06)

Donkey ride, Brackenridge Park, 1966. (MS 355: Z-1831-8)

Kiddie horse ride, 1966. (MS 355: Z-1831-09)

Card game, 1958. (MS 355: Z-1807-B-6)

Bingo, 1966. (MS 355: Z-1831-17)

Jelly bean race, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-5)

Three-legged race, 1958. (MS 355: Z-1807-B-26)

Three-legged race, 1967. (MS 355: Z-1833-07)

Dinner, 1959. (MS 355: Z-1807-A-1)

Otto Koehler, Pearl’s chairman of the board and president, tosses his hat, 1958. (MS 355: Z-1807-B-24)

Dance, 1959. (MS 355: Z-1807-A-06)