Paso Robles celebrates 96 years of Pioneer Day tradition

By Hayley Mattson · Thu Oct 15 2026

Parkfield 4-H earns parade sweepstakes as families, volunteers and competitors carry on a community celebration

PASO ROBLES — For the 96th annual Pioneer Day, downtown Paso Robles became a gathering place for the people, families and traditions that have shaped the community for generations. Antique tractors, horse-drawn wagons, marching bands and local organizations traveled along Spring Street on Saturday, Oct. 10, as spectators gathered for a celebration that has remained part of the town’s identity since 1931. This year’s theme, “Flags, Freedom and Pioneer Spirit,” connected the community’s agricultural heritage with a tribute to the nation’s history. Parkfield 4-H earned the parade’s sweepstakes award, leading a field of entries that included youth organizations, schools, churches, veterans, local families, and owners preserving historic machinery.

“What a spectacular turnout for the 96th Annual Pioneer Day Parade!” the Pioneer Day Committee shared after the celebration.

Marshal Steve Hansen, Queen Cheryl Wilshusen-Savage and Belle Abigail Johnson represented this year’s royalty. Their connections to the area reflected the purpose of Pioneer Day: recognizing local history through the people who have lived it and the younger generations carrying it forward.

Hansen grew up in Shandon, operated a custom grain harvesting business, and served as Pioneer Day’s tractor chairman for 38 years. Wilshusen-Savage’s family roots in the Paso Robles area reach back to the 1920s. Johnson, a Paso Robles High School senior representing the Geneseo area, has family ties to Paso Robles dating to 1916.

The celebration began during the Great Depression as a community thank-you. Businesses, residents, churches, and service organizations contributed time, supplies, and money to provide a free day of festivities and lunch for the people who supported the town throughout the year.

The first Pioneer Day took place Oct. 12, 1931. Ninety-five years later, its 96th annual celebration continued that founding commitment with free activities and the traditional Bean Feed in City Park.

That shared effort was reflected throughout Saturday’s festivities, from the organizations represented in the parade to the children entering their first contests and the competitors taking part in longstanding favorites.

Alongside Parkfield 4-H’s sweepstakes honor, special parade awards went to Brown’s Cycle for the Judges Award, Zapata Ranch Wagon for the Marshal Award, Ladies of the Barbary Coast for the Queen Award, and Artistry In Motion for the Belle Award. “250 Years of Freedom because of our Veterans” received Best Use of Theme.

The Paso Robles Pioneer Museum won the senior Club/Civic Group category with “Remember Yesterday, Celebrate Today, Inspire Tomorrow,” a message that captured the connection between preserving local history and sharing it with the next generation.

Other organization awards went to Paso Robles Girls Softball League in junior Club: 4-H/Other, Trinity Lutheran School in Club: School and Plymouth Congregational Church in Church Group. The Paso Robles High School Band earned the senior Marching Band award.

The Central Coast North County Veterans Color Guard won Most Patriotic, while Estrella Warbirds Museum earned Historical. Central Coast Charros won Charro or Charra, Vaqueros de la región won Parade Horse, and Kings County Sheriff Posse received the Sheriff/Marshal Posse award.

Family and equestrian entries also received recognition. The Evenson Family won Family Group; Joe and Emma Gonzales — Pack String won Cowboy or Cowgirl; Mini, Midi, Maxi Horses earned senior Mounted Group; and Queen’s Carriage won Historic Wagon.

Historic vehicles and agricultural equipment remained central to the procession. Central Coast Model T Club won Antique Car, Hidden Ranch won Classic Car, J.B. Dewar Restoration earned Tracked Tractor, and the Olson Family received Wheel Tractor. The Brown/Silva Family won Tractor Pulled Implement, while Historic Conestoga Wagon earned Wagon Team.

Rounding out the parade awards, Pioneer Games won Action Era, Paso A Pasito Dance Group earned Best Costume, and Mountain Man received Novelty.

For the youngest participants, Pioneer Day offered opportunities to become part of the tradition themselves.

In the Pioneer Pets contest, Trigger, a corgi, earned Best Behaved. Danny, a miniature cow, won Most Unique, and Oakley, a goat, received the Pioneer Pet award.

The children’s western attire contest recognized Asher Hevert as the winner in Pioneer Boy ages 0–3. Ty Hevert placed first in Pioneer Boy ages 4–7, followed by Luke Ontiveros.

Twins Madelyn and Hazel Thompson shared first place in Cowgirl ages 0–3, followed by Ari Aguilar and Mia Hernandez. Selah Jo Lovejoy won Cowgirl ages 4–7, with Savannah Ferris second.

Keaton Edward Miller won Cowboy ages 0–3. Wesley McFarlane placed first in Cowboy ages 4–7, followed by Carter Morisoli and John Eddy.

After the parade, the Bean Feed gave families another reason to gather in City Park, continuing one of the celebration’s most familiar customs. The Whiskerino and horseshoe contests added friendly competition to the afternoon.

Gary Beck earned Best Overall in the Whiskerino Contest. Chris Sallac won Fullest, Rob Rohrer earned Best Mustache, and Ogden and Harding Irving received Most Unique. David Nielsen won Best Try, while Jason Bravo received the James Prizmich Legacy Award for Best Style.

Frank Madden won the men’s horseshoe championship, and Torey Owens earned the women’s title.

At the Paso Robles Event Center, young equestrians competed in gymkhana and dummy roping. Palmer Kimble and Wylie Holcomb were recognized in Leadline.

Jaylee Estes won the gymkhana division for ages 6 and under, followed by Kora Lunsford, Austyn Peterson, Carter Morison and Baylor Walton. Talia Hartzell took first in ages 7–10, followed by Maren Craig, Blake Peterson, Elyse Erbatoesser and Tatum Allgood.

Macie Munro won gymkhana ages 11–13, followed by Ellis Peet, Ellie Benedetto, Claira Hammond, and Kassidy Payne. Bree Mackey led the ages 14–17 division, followed by Eva Schechter, Ana Biebrich, Bella Odell and Samantha Carter.

In dummy roping, Baylor Walton won ages 6 and under, followed by Jaymar Ramires, Jaylee Estes, Haisley Woodbridge, Austyn Peterson and Gunner Hoffman.

Oscar Silva won dummy roping ages 7–10, followed by Elyse Erbstoesser, Blake Peterson, David Zepeda, Talia Hartzell, and Tatum Allgood. Macie Munro earned first in ages 11-13. Ana Biebrich won ages 14-17, with Bree Mackey second.

The third annual Pioneer Games brought a newer tradition to the afternoon, with contests celebrating agricultural skills, equipment handling, and teamwork.

The Paso Robles Police Department won the Tire Race, and Team Santa Margarita Feed earned the Hay Stealing title. C. Parrish won the Tractor Stake Race, while Colton Brown took first in the Crawler Keyhole Race.

Fallon Molnar won Women’s Trailer Backing, and Team Sligh earned the Antique Car Potato Stabbing title.

Across the day’s events, the awards recognized individual achievements, but the gathering carried a broader meaning. Schools, service groups, agricultural families and local volunteers all had a place in a celebration built around their shared community.

As Pioneer Day approaches its second century, its continuity rests with those participants — the people who preserve the equipment, prepare the meal, organize the contests and bring their children back to take part.