Paso Robles Celebrates its History on Pioneer Day
Why Paso Robles Celebrates its History on Pioneer Day?
Every year the city of Paso Robles celebrates its history on Pioneer Day, the Saturday before Columbus day, with a parade and a free bean feed in the park. The year 2010 was the first and only time I’ve been free to attend. I would still like to share some of the highlights with you because this annual Pioneer Day tradition reflects the spirit of my adopted hometown.
The Pioneer Day celebration started during the Great Depression Era. People didn’t have much money. So all the Pioneer Day events are free — even the bean feed in the City Park. It was free back then and people still eat free today. Although the economic times are better now for most people and the city has grown, we still have homeless people and people who work for low wages. Rich or poor, though, everyone eats free together on Pioneer Day, and many who are not hurting financially are cooking and serving the beans in the park.
The day begins with some children’s events at 8 a.m. As early as 7 a.m. people are grabbing the shady places along the parade route for a good view. The parade starts at 10 a.m. The parade is really a parade of history. It reflects the agricultural past of Paso Robles which was known for first for its its almonds, but is now known for its vineyards and wineries.
You can learn more about Pioneer Day and see videos that show you different parts of the parade at Pioneer Day is a Proud Paso Robles Tradition. If you are at all interested in vintage farm machinery, and historic cars and trucks, you will enjoy watching the parade. In one video, one of the tractors malfunctions and they have to hold back the rest of the parade until it starts again. There are also horses, stilt walkers, Mexican dancers, floats, bands and school children in the parade. The videos are shown in segments which are described so that you will only need to watch the parts that interest you most — not the whole two-hour parade. To make any of the small photos below larger, just click on them.
Photos of Pioneer Day Parade Highlights, 2010
These photos are not shown in the article linked to above. They are unique to this post.
To see more of the parade, see Pioneer Day is a Proud Paso Robles Tradition
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Your Paso Robles Parade of History looks fabulous! What a fun way to make children and newcomers aware of your town’s history.
Susan, such traditions as Pioneer Day that are repeated year after year are a great way to impress children with their heritage.