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LE GRAND -- Pioneer Days is a community celebration first established in 1999. But lack of volunteers resulted in its cancellation, until now. It returns to Le Grand on Saturday with events ranging from pickleball, arm wrestling, live shows, food, activities for kids, a parade and more.
Put on by Le Grand Parks and Recreation, assisted by the non-profit Celebrate Le Grand, the event offers something for everyone.
"The last official (Pioneer Days) was in 2016, but they had kind of a last hurrah in 2019," said Parks and Rec Committee Member Luke Wilson. "There was an aging volunteer base at the time that was ready to pass the torch and there wasn't anyone at the time."
He noted that the Le Grand City Park, 204 N. Vine St., was re-vamped and it will serve as the locale for much of the Pioneer Days festivities.
"We did a grand opening (last October), a precursor to this, offering half the events we are this year and on a smaller scale," he noted of 2025. "We had a great turnout, so our board said let's add a few more things and bring it back."
Pioneer Days will actually be a one-day "grand" celebration. A 5K race will start things off at 7:45 a.m. at the high school football field, all ages welcome. Register between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. The East Marshall cross country team will run the 5K and also participate in it. Cost is $30 with a t-shirt and $22 without the shirt. All proceeds will go to the Mason Stephens Scholarship Fund. Wilson noted a favorite saying of Mason's will be written on the back of the shirts: "Where y'all been?."
Wilson said walkers are welcome, as well as kids with bikes and people pushing baby strollers.
"We are going to do a kids' run next year, but we want to see how many kids are interested this year," he added.
Come hungry for the pancake breakfast held at the community center from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. A freewill offering meal, the Parks and Rec board will be in charge.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. with lineup beginning a half hour prior at the high school parking lot. The Color Guard will be present. The Grand Marshal this year is Linda Weitzell, a woman who served on the Pioneer Days committee for more than 20 years and is active in the community. About 30 groups/organizations have signed up to be in the parade, with more always welcome.
Little Mr. and Miss will also participate in the parade, with the winners yet to be announced.
Food trucks will be available in the city park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will include: The Funky Pepperoni, Clare's Tenderloins by Mya, Dave's Mini Donuts, Maria's Taco's, Sno 2-Go and Most Wanted Coffee.
The Kids' Fun Zone will be located in the park. The company for the inflatables is called Air Up There Rentals. Private (anonymous) donors are making entry into the zone free of charge for the public. Wilson noted a waiver does need to be signed by a parent or guardian, and the wristband is good all day (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Within the zone, enjoy free face painting from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. by the East Marshall cheerleaders.
The pickleball tournament starts at noon at city park, organized by Mike Berkey. The cost is $25 per team. All ages are welcome.
"They maximize games so you're guaranteed a certain number of games. It's a lot of fun," Wilson said.
The Monet/Community Center will be the site of the vendor and craft show by AB Events from noon to 4 p.m. There are almost 50 entities signed up.
Amphitheater Events at city park will span noon to 7 p.m. Student Lily Smith will sing the national anthem at noon. There will be a Marshall County K9 demonstration with Deputy Tanner Hunt following that from noon to 1 p.m.; a performance by the Meskwaki Settlement School Dance-Versity from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; falconer with the DNR Brenda Smith will be on hand from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; music by Robert Maharry at 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.; and music by Trevor Parrish from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Monster Arm Wrestling in city park will go from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., put on by Lee Ann Krough.
"She's got different weight classes. It's a sign up the day of. It's a fun set up. It will be at the shelter by the pickleball courts," he said.
The bags (cornhole) tournament at city park starts at 2 p.m., and is being run by the Le Grand Fire Department. Cost is $10 per person or $20 a team.
The day wraps with a visit from the Blank Park Zoo and its critters from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the community center.
Wilson noted that volunteers are always needed, and planning for next year's Pioneer Days will soon get underway.
For more information, Parks and Rec may be reached at: legrandparksrec@gmail.com.