Pioneer Day Belle announced at annual Royalty Dinner

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Aug 20 2026

More than 200 gather at Estrella Warbirds Museum to celebrate Paso Robles’ pioneer families and traditions

PASO ROBLES — The countdown to Paso Robles’ 96th Annual Pioneer Day Parade officially began Sunday evening as more than 200 community members gathered at Estrella Warbirds Museum for the annual Pioneer Day Royalty Dinner.

The Aug. 16 event served as the official kickoff to this year’s Pioneer Day celebration and brought together family, friends, past royalty, and community members to celebrate the local families and traditions that have helped shape Paso Robles over generations.

The evening culminated in the official announcement of this year’s Pioneer Day royalty, including Queen Cheryl Savage, Marshal Steve Hansen, and the Belle and her attendants.

The Pioneer Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10.

For Pioneer Day Parade Committee Chairman Sarah Kramer, who is serving her first year as chairman, the Royalty Dinner represents much more than an annual ceremony.

“The Royalty Dinner is the first official event of the Pioneer Day season and serves as the kickoff to our celebration leading up to the 96th Annual Pioneer Day Parade,” Kramer said. “It's the evening when the community officially meets the royalty who will represent their Pioneer families throughout this year's festivities.”

During the dinner, the committee introduced the Queen, Marshal and Belle nominees before the evening culminated with the crowning of the Belle.

Kramer said one of the most meaningful aspects of the dinner is the opportunity to share the family histories of the royalty and nominees, giving attendees a glimpse into the generations of families who have contributed to the community.

“One of my favorite parts of the evening is hearing the family connections and stories that emerge,” Kramer said. “There's almost always someone in the room who discovers a family relationship or historical connection they never knew existed. It's a wonderful reminder of how closely connected our community truly is.”

This year’s dinner was again in the hangar at Estrella Warbirds Museum. Kramer praised the work of Event Chair Jill Smith and the event committee.

“Everything, from the décor and flowers to the food and atmosphere, was beautifully done,” Kramer said.

Hansen, who was named the 2026 Pioneer Day Marshal, also praised the evening, calling the decorations, food, and overall atmosphere outstanding.

The dinner featured a full meal and desserts, while photographs and displays highlighting the families represented by this year’s royalty gave guests an opportunity to learn more about their local histories.

For Hansen, being selected as Marshal is a particular honor after roughly six decades of involvement with Pioneer Day.

“It was a great honor,” Hansen said.

Hansen said his involvement with Pioneer Day has never been about receiving an honor, but rather about his love of tractors, old equipment, and preserving the spirit of the community’s pioneer traditions.

“I got into it because of love of tractors, and old equipment, and keeping Pioneer Day spirit alive,” Hansen said. “And to tell a story to the younger people, where we came from, because if we don't know where we came from, we sure don't know where we're going.”

That connection to history will be especially visible during this year’s parade.

Hansen plans to drive a 1926 Caterpillar 60 tractor that was purchased new by his great-great-uncles. The tractor turns 100 years old in 2026 and has already been a part of his family’s Pioneer Day history. His father drove the same tractor when he served as Pioneer Day Marshal in 2001.

Now, Hansen and his family are working to restore the tractor in time for its centennial appearance in this year’s parade, including repainting it and recreating its original canopy.

“It’s been the best part,” Hansen said of having his sons and grandchildren involved in the project.

One of the highlights of this year’s Royalty Dinner was the number of young women who participated as Belle nominees.

Kramer said the committee had 11 Belle nominees this year, which she described as one of the most meaningful parts of the evening.

“I love that so many young women are interested in carrying on the traditions established by our Pioneer families 96 years ago,” Kramer said. “Seeing the next generation embrace and celebrate our community’s history is incredibly meaningful and gives me great confidence that these traditions will continue for years to come.”

Abigail Johnson, representing the Geneseo area, was crowned the 2026 Pioneer Day Belle. Johnson’s family settled in Paso Robles in 1916, and her family has longstanding ties to the community and Pioneer Day. Her grandmother, Denise Schinbine, served on the Pioneer Day Board, while her second cousin Lori Woods was the 1996 Pioneer Day Belle. Johnson is a senior at Paso Robles High School and plans to study psychology.

Joining Johnson as Belle attendants are Carrigan Sinton of the Cholame area; Bailey Bojorquez of the Hog Canyon area; Clarah Brown of the Adelaide area; Kylie Hurl of the Creston area; Kaci Carlson of the Shandon area; Corina Boneso of the Paso Robles area; Bella Birks is also representing the Paso Robles area; Lylah Malone of the Templeton area; and Sienna Molina of the Estrella area.

The Royalty Dinner also brought together several former Pioneer Day royalty members, highlighting the continuity of the celebration across generations.

Among those attending were John and June Bertoni, 2016 royalty; Larry Moore and Milene Radford, 2019 royalty; Don Campbell, 2023 royalty; and Gary Tucker, 2025 royalty. Numerous former Belles and Belle attendants were also in attendance.

The next Paso Robles Pioneer Day event will be the Pre-Pioneer Day Kick-Off Party scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Estrella Warbird Museum. Proceeds from the event help pay for Pioneer Day and all of the Pioneer Day events, and maintain and restore the tractors, wagons, and other equipment that belong to the community. Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website.

For more information on Pioneer Day, visit pasoroblespioneerday.org

Feature Image: The 2026 Belle and her attendants (from left): Kaci Carlson, Clarah Brown, Corina Boneso, Bella Birks, Carrigan Sinton, Abigail Johnson (Belle), Ceci Gignoux, Sienna Molina, Kylie Hurl, Lylah Malone, and Bailey Bojorquez. The girls were announced at the annual Pioneer Day Royalty Dinner on Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. Photo by Derek Luff/PRP