THE CLUB
   The International Official Popeye Fan Club is just what the name implies. It's an official organization, sanctioned by King features Syndicate, and made up of people the world over who share an interest in Popeye the Sailor. The club is headquartered in Chester Illinois in the Opera House. This is the very same opera house, once owned by Bill Schuchert, where Elzie Segar worked as a boy.

      The club publishes a quarterly magazine with over 30 pages of material covering the gamut of Popeye related topics including the comic books, cartoons, collectibles, comic strip, characters and anything else that comes along which would be of interest to the members.

   Below are just a few of the features carried in the newsletter:

THE PICNIC
   Every year on the weekend after Labor day, the town of Chester Illinois holds a three day festival called the "Popeye Picnic." Events, contests, bands, a carnival and even a parade are held. The club meets in Chester that same weekend for socializing. They show Popeye cartoons in the park on Friday and Saturday evening. There's a silent auction of Popeye related items. The main event is a banquet Saturday evening with food, entertainment and celebrity guests. On Sunday morning the members meet for breakfast then head to Segar Memorial park for a group photo in front of the bronze statue of Popeye. Below is the 2006 photo. Notice how everyone is smiling.


Come join us this year!

   For more information on the International Official Popeye Fan Club just click on the LINK.