Skagit City, 1881. That’s where it all began — on the shores of Fir Island, where early settlers gathered for the very first Pioneer Picnic. It was a humble affair: potluck meals, storytelling, and songs around the fire, all in celebration of survival and community in a new land.
La Conner, 2025. Today, 144 years later, the spirit of that first gathering lives on. The 121st annual Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic unfolds once again — this time under the shade of Pioneer Park’s towering trees, just steps from the Rainbow Bridge. With salmon sizzling on the barbecue, descendants of those early pioneers gather to share memories, honor history, and pass down traditions to the next generation.
From hay wagons to vintage tractors, from handshakes to heritage awards, the annual picnic still brings Skagit County together — just like it did on that very first summer day in 1881.
The 121st annual Pioneer Picnic will include a special dedication honoring the late Bud Moore, former La Conner mayor and longtime Skagit County Pioneer Association officer. During the Aug. 7 event at Pioneer Park, the bandstand will be officially named in Moore’s memory, following a unanimous Town Council resolution passed June 24 recognizing his decades of civic service. Moore, who passed away May 12 at age 93, was a U.S. Air Force pilot, national collegiate rowing champion, business owner, and two-time mayor. The Skagit County Pioneer Association also unanimously supported the tribute. The picnic, a fundraiser for the Skagit County Historical Museum, begins at 11 a.m. and will also honor the McMoran and Wolden families as Pioneer Families of the Year and recognize the Cascade Two-Cylinder Club with the Pioneer Spirit Award.
Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pioneer Park, La Conner
