Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and General Meeting
11 a.m. Aug. 7
Pioneer Park near the Rainbow Bridge
For more information, contact Troy Hanson, association president at (360) 708-5595 or email troy@skagitaggregtes.com.
As has been the case for more than a century, history comes alive in La Conner again this summer.
The 121st Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and General Meeting will honor the McMoran and Wolden families as the 2025 Pioneer Families of the Year. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Pioneer Park near the Rainbow Bridge in La Conner.
The event is open to the public.
Generations of McMorans and Woldens will be recognized as “Pioneer Family of the Year” for their contributions to Skagit County through agriculture, public service, business, and education. Historical photographs and biographical accounts will highlight their enduring legacies during the program, which also features live music and opportunities to connect with community members.
Don (left) and Bill McMoran showing young cattle.
Photo courtesy of Skagit County Historical Museum
The Cascade Two Cylinder Club will receive this year’s Pioneer Spirit Award. Since 1993, the group has worked to preserve vintage John Deere agricultural machinery and the history tied to it.
Another centerpiece of the day will be the formal re-dedication of the Pioneer Park bandstand in memory of Bud Moore. Moore, who came from a pioneer La Conner family, also served as mayor and held leadership roles in the association. He died earlier this year.
The Skagit County Historical Museum, the event’s primary beneficiary, will offer publications and waive admission fees Aug. 7-10 for anyone wearing the $30 commemorative attendance ribbon. The ribbon also covers a salmon barbecue dinner prepared by the “Good Girls” of La Conner and served by members of the La Conner Civic Garden Club. Coffee, tea, and other beverages will be made available by the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank, with proceeds going to its service projects.
Pioneer Association President Troy Hanson will open the business meeting at 12:45 p.m. with an invocation, flag salute, group singing, officer reports, and a memorial tribute to departed pioneers. Elections for the association’s 2025-26 year will follow.
Founded in 1891, the Skagit County Pioneer Association has hosted annual Pioneer Picnics since 1904, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
