Tuesday is "Big Red" soft drink day in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Tuesday is "Big Red Day" in Louisville.

Mayor Greg Fischer issued a proclamation celebrating the bright red soft drink's 80th anniversary of being sold in Louisville.

A celebration is planned on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Fourth and Liberty Streets just outside Fourth Street Live! between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.

The company promises an "army of Big Reds" will take over Louisville and help kick off the BBQ season.

Big Red is a favorite of locals, who remember drinking it as a child. It has a cult following among people who enjoy the classic combination of Big Red with a White Castle hamburger or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

While Louisville loves Big Red, it's actually a Texas original. According to the Wide Open Eats website, Big Red was first made in Waco, Texas in 1937 by the same company that owned R. C. Cola. But it was first sold in Texas and Kentucky.

And by the way, Big Red isn't bubblegum flavored. It's actually marketed as a red cream soda. But Big Red also makes several flavors including Big Blue, Big Peach, Big Pineapple and Big Manzana, which is Spanish for Apple.