Paso Robles celebrates 96th annual Pioneer Day
Volunteers with the Estrella Warbirds Museum drive vintage military vehicles in the 96th annual Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Estrella Warbirds Museum.
Grand Marshal Steve Hansen and Queen Cheryl Wilshusen-Savage led this year’s celebration
– Crowds lined Spring Street in downtown Paso Robles on Saturday for the 96th annual Pioneer Day, a community tradition dating back to 1931. The Pioneer Day Committee called it a “spectacular turnout” in a social media post Sunday.
This year’s theme was “Flags, Freedom and Pioneer Spirit.” The parade featured antique tractors, horse-drawn wagons, marching bands, riders on horseback, floats, vintage cars, and fire engines, according to organizers.
Steve Hansen served as grand marshal. Hansen grew up in Shandon, ran a custom grain harvesting business, and served as the committee’s tractor chair for 38 years, according to the committee. Cheryl Wilshusen-Savage, whose family has lived in the Paso Robles area for nearly 100 years, reigned as queen, and Paso Robles High School senior Abigail Johnson served as belle.
Grand Marshal Steve Hansen.
Pioneer Day Queen Cheryl Wilshusen-Savage.
The Estrella Warbirds Museum entered a lineup of restored military vehicles driven by museum volunteers. “EWM showing up in force at the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Parade!” the museum posted on Facebook.
The celebration also included the traditional free bean feed in City Park, contests including the Whiskerino, and the Pioneer Games at the Paso Robles Event Center, which the committee called “bigger and better than ever.” The Paso Robles Pioneer Museum hosted hands-on activities and marked its 55th birthday.
Community volunteers organized the first Pioneer Day on Oct. 12, 1931, as “a day of community friendship” honoring the area’s heritage, and the whole day remains free, according to the committee.
Videos from the Pioneer Day Committee:
For more information, visit www.pasoroblespioneerday.org.
