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Two families deeply rooted in the historical and cultural landscape of Skagit County will be honored at Pioneer Park in La Conner on Aug. 1.
The Fisher family of Burlington, whose many contributions to Skagit County agriculture, commerce and the timber and construction industries date to the 1890s, will be honored as Pioneer Family of the Year during the 115th annual Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and General Meeting.
The DeGoede family, recognized internationally as innovators in the bulb industry and for being instrumental in launching the world-famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, will also be recognized for having contributed to the Pioneer Spirit of Skagit County. Jeannette DeGoede and her late husband, Tom, who passed in June, co-founded Tulip Town, among the county’s most popular destination points.
Those are just two of many highlights planned for the 2019 Picnic, Pioneer Association President Dan Royal told the Weekly News.
“There will be live music on the grounds, historic photographs displayed for this year’s honored families, vintage vehicles, much available historic information and opportunities to reminisce with old-timers and newcomers alike,” Royal says.
The Leif and Sunnie Accordion Duo will play favorite tunes throughout.
The public is encouraged to arrive as early as 10 a.m., says Royal.
“That way,” he says, “people can socialize, talk family history, and catch up with friends.”
SKAT service is being provided from parking areas below Rainbow Bridge to the picnic venue, Royal adds.
A complete barbecued salmon dinner prepared by the Good Girls – Kim, Ginny, and Patsy – and served by members of the La Conner Civic Garden Club gets under way at 11:15 a.m..
For a cost of $15, registered pioneers will receive a colorful ribbon, program, historian’s memorial pamphlet and luncheon ticket.
Coffee, tea and other beverages will be made available by the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank, with proceeds going to various civic projects.
The Skagit County Historical Society and Museum, always present in support of the annual picnic, will have tables under a tent with publications related to Skagit County history. The Museum’s staff will likewise be on hand to answer questions.
The Territorial Daughters, Pleasant Ridge Cemetery District and Skagit Valley Genealogical Society will share these tables with Museum staff to answer any questions attendees might have about their Skagit County ancestors.
Royal will call the Pioneer Association business meeting to order at 12:45, a session that will include an invocation, flag salute and group singing. Brief reports will be made by association officers, with a memorial tribute offered for departed pioneers.
The honored guests will be saluted for their contributions to the Skagit community and its history.
Incoming Pioneer Association officers will be introduced during the business meeting.
The public is invited afterward to visit the Skagit County Historical Museum on top of the hill in La Conner.
The Pioneer Picnic has thus become a summer fixture in La Conner, the original Skagit County seat of government, and scheduled on the first Thursday in August.
The Pioneer Picnic ribbon allows free admission to the Museum Aug. 1-4.
The Skagit County Pioneer Association was founded in 1891, less than a decade after the lower section of Whatcom County broke away to become what is now Skagit County.
“But the association’s initial requirements were found so restrictive,” said Royal, “that it soon dissolved. In 1904, a concerned group from Sedro-Woolley revived the association under less stringent guidelines and the annual meetings and picnics have been held regularly ever since.”
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