The Brownsville community was not going to let rain break their 138-year tradition of hosting the annual Pioneer Picnic from June 20-22 this year.
While the Kiddie Parade on Friday was held under a deluge of water drops, the weather only presented a light rain during Saturday’s Grand Parade. The streets were lined with colorful umbrellas, and children had no qualms grabbing candy off the wet pavement after it had been tossed by participants in the procession.
Some families could be seen bundled up in blankets, visiting with their sidewalk neighbors, or taking mind of their canine companions. Taking control of the corner at Stanard Avenue and Averill Street were the Klinkebiel family, cooking up a hearty breakfast for the whole clan.
The Overton family was honored as this year’s Grand Marshall. George D. Overton came from New York and built his ranch in Brownsville in 1860. Today, the 800-plus acre farm remains in the family to the seventh generation.
Linn County pioneer descendants of the Hackleman family also made an appearance in the parade, as did the princess courts. Lucy Kennedy was crowned Queen of the Pioneer Picnic.
This year’s theme was “Pioneer Logging Camps,” evidenced by some of the more dedicated creatives of the community who decorated their floats with tents, logging equipment, “laundry shack” businesses, campfires, and an homage to loggers who lost their lives in the woods.
In their first-ever parade appearance, Halsey’s Georgia Pacific Mill employees drove through town with a camping scene featuring paper towel “logs” and Brawny T-shirts pinned to a laundry line. In a more unexpected action, the employees tossed rolls of toilet paper to the crowd, some with tickets stuffed in their roll to redeem for more free toilet paper.
to an early morning customer during Saturday’s Pioneer Picnic.
Given that the origin of the Pioneer Picnic dates back to 1887 when the early homesteaders held their first reunion picnic, one would expect to find opportunity to eat during the event. Sure enough, a breakfast of pancakes, eggs and meat was served early in the morning, and a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs was offered in the afternoon – all under the protective cover of the large dining pavilion at Pioneer Park.
Nestled between all this was an assortment of other activities, including a flower and student art show, quilt display, spelling bee, penny scramble, beard and mustache competition, talent showcase, food and craft vendors, games and activities, dancing, live music, horseshoe tournament, pie eating contest, car and tractor cruise-in, 5K/10K run and church service.
Photos by Sarah Brown
