Pioneer Days

I have looked forward to Pioneer Days every summer since I can remember. As a kid it was soooo exciting. Growing up in such a small town, this was the highlight of the summer. There was so much to look forward to. My mom always bought me a new outfit to wear to the celebration. Aunts, Uncles and cousins came into town for reunions and if you were lucky you got to ride on a float. As I got a little older I rode my horse in the parade with our 4-H club and then rode in a rodeo. The community puts on a pageant portraying some aspect of our pioneer history. I remember being in it a few times growing up. It's non-stop fun from then on with a pancake breakfast, parade, program, barbecue, foot races and dances in the evening. If that wasn't fun and exciting enough there are two more days of celebrating in Manassa. I always loved Manassa's parade because it was so much longer than Sanford's and the floats were bigger and more elaborate. I'll always have fond memories of the celebration.

Fast forward to present day. I still look forward to Pioneer Days because I get to go home and see old friends from school that I don't get to see very often and I'm still a fan of the parades. My kids love the parades, races and carnival. Although there is still fun and excitement it's different as a parent. Keeping track of the kids in the crowds is always fun and standing in long lines for hamburgers at the hamburger stand is equally enjoyable. The carefree days of being a kid and just enjoying everything available are long gone. I can still experience the festivities but I'm the one paying for tickets and over priced carnival food, putting on the sunscreen, packing chairs and drinks and diaper bags all over the place and dealing with melt downs from over tired children. In the end I guess it's all worth it, it must be because I keep coming back. Everyone had lots of fun this year. The kids loved the parades and all the candy that gets thrown their way. Eric and Charles could hardly wait to go to the carnival. Eric is adventurous and went on the hammer by himself. I tried to talk him out of it but decided to let him go. He didn't feel too good after that ride. Charles loved the Swinger and Katie couldn't get enough of the Carousel. I ran in a foot race which I haven't done in many years. I didn't' win but it was fun. We're already looking forward to next year.