MANASSA — Thousands of people lined Main Street for the annual Pioneer Days Parade on Friday, July 15.
The Friday morning parade boasted the essentials that have marked Pioneer Days for more than a century now, including the ceremonial cannon start, horses, cowgirls, and floats galore. As is tradition a second parade was held Saturday morning.
A giant American flag was draped above Main Street by two local fire department ladder trucks near Manassa Town Hall.
Rose Archuleta was the Parade Grand Marshal. She smiled and waved to the crowd.
She was followed by the Pioneer Days royalty float. Wearing a shimmering graphite-silver dress was 2022 Miss Pioneer Princess Taylor Christensen, who is the daughter of Keith and Debbie Christensen and a senior at Centauri High School. She was joined by her attendants — Madison Montoya, who is the daughter of Carmen and Lawrence Montoya, Sadie Caldon, who is the daughter of Gina and Richie Caldon, Austyn Shawcroft, who is the daughter of Jesse and Cassie Shawcroft, Jaelyn Jackson, who is the daughter of Mark and Jennifer Jackson, and Brooklyn Reynolds, who is the daughter of Ryan and Deborah Reynolds.
The Pioneer Days grand marshal and royalty were honored during a kickoff banquet at the Opera House on Wednesday, July 13. Taylor Christensen received the first-ever Miss Pioneer scholarship.
The celebration continued with rodeos on Friday and Saturday and the ever-popular demolition derby and 5K run on Saturday.
People flocked to both days of the hamburger stand and the carnival rides and food.
The event concluded with the lighting of the M on the mountain and a fireworks display.
Parade Float Winners
Sweepstakes — Martin Cattle Company
First place — Buhr Trucking
Second place — Manassa Market
Third place — Brian’s Septic
Parade Committee Sponsored
First place — Miss Pioneer
Second place — Town of Antonito
Third place — Shawcroft Family
