95th annual Bean Feed
By Camille DeVaul · Fri Oct 10 2025
This October marks 95 years of families gathering at City Park on the second Saturday to enjoy the Pioneer Day Parade and savor a steaming serving of beans. The tradition began with the event’s original motto, “leave your pocketbooks behind,” offering the community free food, entertainment, and camaraderie. Central to this celebration has always been the iconic Bean Feed, a community gathering that warms both bellies and hearts.
For over 85 years, the Paso Robles Lions Club has been a constant presence behind the scenes, volunteering to ensure the Bean Feed runs smoothly. Since its incorporation in 1939, the club has contributed to Pioneer Day and the broader Paso Robles community through a variety of civic projects. These include constructing the original horseshoe and barbecue pits in City Park, installing handmade street signs, maintaining street lights, and erecting the flagpole at War Memorial Stadium. Over the decades, the club has quietly poured its efforts into the community, often unnoticed by the public.
On Pioneer Day, nearly 30 Lions Club members arrive early to begin cooking the beans. The process starts around 6 a.m., with water filling the pots and beans slowly simmering throughout the morning. By mid-morning, the aroma of meat, vegetables, and beans fills downtown Paso Robles. Ten large pots are typically prepared to feed the crowds, and by noon, the beans are ready for everyone as the parade concludes. This event remains one of the town’s most cherished traditions, providing a tangible connection between past and present generations.
The Bean Feed continues under the leadership of David Kudija with assistance from Lions Club members, youth volunteers, and firefighters. The event’s ongoing success is supported by a dedicated mix of seasoned volunteers and young community members, ensuring that the tradition will continue for years to come.
The Paso Robles Lions Club is encouraging community members to get involved with the annual Pioneer Day Bean Feed. Volunteers are needed from 6 a.m. to noon to help stir and serve the beans, and participation can also introduce residents to the Lions Club’s broader mission. Chartered in 1939, the club has a long history of service in Paso Robles, from supporting local to youth to ensuring community traditions live on.
Beyond Pioneer Day, the Lions are working to double their membership by 2026 and plan to host an “Adult Prom” fundraiser next April, with all proceeds supporting scholarships, student awards, and other community initiatives. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the club can contact the Lions via email at calvinlthompson3@gmail.com or pasorobleslionsclub1939@gmail.com, by call or text at (805) 975-9640, or visit pasorobleslionsclub.org
This year, the 95th Annual Bean Feed will be served at 12 p.m. on Pioneer Day, October 11, in City Park across from the Clock Tower on 12th Street. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a plate of beans while honoring the volunteers who have preserved this cherished Paso Robles tradition for nearly a century.
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