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You are here: Home / Features / Panaca celebrates Pioneer Day

Panaca celebrates Pioneer Day

July 30, 2022 by Collin Anderson

Residents of Panaca and community members from all over the county gathered together to celebrate the pioneers who settled the area and paved the way for the Lincoln County known today. 

One small correction from the previous article on the subject: the Lee family and company did not approach the area from the summit, but came through the valleys and hills just south of what would one day be Panaca, coming from the direction of Enterprise, Utah. But the feeling must have been the same, as the long stretch of fertile valley spread out before them would have been a welcome sight. 

By Leslie Ostronic – A girl looks back at her supporters during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.

This feeling of expansion and settlement eventually made way for the railroads and mines that would come to populate the area. There was a dispute as to whether or not Panaca was in Utah or Nevada, but even after the town was confirmed to be a part of the Silver State, they continued to celebrate the day that settlers entered the Salt Lake Valley, establishing one of the largest cities in the west at the time.

For most people, the day started out quietly, with the exception of the more than 30 people that participated in the Lincoln County High School (LCHS) junior class fundraiser 5K just outside of town. However, that relative peace was interrupted by the 6 a.m. dynamite wake-up, which was not, in fact, accomplished using dynamite. This year, loud concussive fireworks signaled the beginning of the celebrations, and invited everyone within earshot to the flag ceremony at the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building.

While the celebration itself is not a nationally recognized patriotic holiday, its connection to the spread of settlers across the west, and its association with home and local pride helps solidify the connection to the nation that made all of those things possible. 

After the flag was raised and the bell was rung at the old church, breakfast was served. The classic fare of eggs, sausage and pancakes was plenty to energize the community for the rest of the activities of the day.

Following the hearty meal next to the church, the Panaca Elementary yard played host to the kids’ races, where kids and adults could participate in regular foot races, wheelbarrow races, and much more. Children were rewarded for their participation with a quarter, many of which ended up being spent at the Panaca Market around the corner. Alongside this, the Panaca Heritage Museum opened its doors, showing off antique toys, tools and historic records from the time of the early settlers all the way up until the present. The building itself is part of the town’s history, opening as the Wadsworth General Store.

There was a short lull in the action as people ate lunch, after which the Panaca Fire Department hosted a money scramble at the LCHS parking lot. As the fire trucks and firefighters soaked everything, kids could jump into the spray to collect the change that was being tossed into the deluge. Little kids were the first to brave the sprinklers, followed by the older kids, some of which collected more than ten dollars in change.

After another break, people began to line the main street with chairs and cars in preparation for the parade. The cloud cover made the afternoon experience a little less hot. Parade floats included representatives from the Nevada State Parks, the Panaca Market and even the Primary Program of the Panaca Second Ward. Among them was the Mathews family’s float. They brought in dozens of members of the clan from far and wide to celebrate with the town.

Later in the evening, dinner was served on the lawn of the church. Baked beans, chicken, rolls and salad were part of the offering, and many kids wandered over to the elementary school grounds to play while their parents visited. On the lawn of Meadow Valley Middle School, more activities were set up, from classes on how to make rag dolls, gigantic bubble making and even a long row of cornhole matches.

Finally, the end of the night came and the LCHS football field was slowly populated with hundreds of onlookers as the fireworks demonstration began. Many in the crowd were shocked by the sheer amount and quality of the fireworks on display, including a huge finale that lit up the sky like it was daytime. And with the firing of the final firework, the Pioneer Day celebrations came to a close.

By Leslie Ostronic – The Money Scramble begins on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca as part of the Pioneer Day celebration.
By Leslie Ostronic – Mike Reese throws Dum-Dums Lollipops during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A child hands their quarters to their parent during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The announcers of the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A member of the cheerleading team does a high kick during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A teenager stands with fire hoses hitting him from both sides during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Drums are played in front of the “Linked with Generations of Love” float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A float equipped with water guns sprays the audience during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl squints to keep water out of her eyes during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A child becomes upset during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The Marine Corps League walks the flags during the National Anthem before the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl rides in the back of a truck down Main St. during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl throws candy as part of the “Linked with Generations of Love” float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl watches the cheerleading team perform during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A boy feels the water from the fire hoses during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca. The Panaca Fire Department supplied the water for the event.
By Leslie Ostronic – A father rescues his daughter from the Money Scramble arena on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Popsicles melt at the bottom of a child’s candy bag during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A firefighter directs a fire hose to spray on the children as they pick up quarters during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Two girls work together during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A boy is picked-up from the action during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A firefighter drops quarters on the children below during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The 2021 Lincoln County Rodeo princess rides down Main St. during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl waits for the next float with candy during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Boys throw candy from the passenger seat window of a Lincoln County Fire District Truck during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A boy waits for more candy during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl looks back at her supporters during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Boys wait for a turn to hold the fire hose after the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl and a boy, dressed as pioneers, throw candy during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A “GUESS WHO?” parade float featured children in homemade frames during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl takes a shower as people leave after the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Boys wait for more candy during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Two girls selling $1 water pose for a photo during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Children pick up quarters during the Money Scramble event on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Firefighters work together to direct the fire hose toward the children during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – “FIRE LINE DO NOT CROSS” tape lined the arena for the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca. However, the boundaries did not define where the firemen sprayed the water.
By Leslie Ostronic – Teenage boys react as they walk away from the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Family and friends find shelter under tents during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A 1965 Studebaker is driven through Main St. during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The Pioneer Day Parade comes to an end on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A Ford Model T is driven down Main St. during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The United States Marine Corps League’s float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl tries to open her popsicle during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A boy tries to catch candy in his bag from the fire truck during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Children and adults dress as pioneers as they throw candy during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl collects small flags that were thrown from a parade float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Photos of people bordered by hearts cover the “Linked with Generations of Love” float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Children work together, and against each other, to pick up quarters during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – “The Mathews Family Gone Fishin’” float hands out candy and splashes of water during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A girl hopes to catch falling quarters in a cup during the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – A boy guides a girl toward the action of the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Boys relax in a fire hose pool after the Money Scramble on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in the Lincoln County High School parking lot in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – People wait on Main St. for the Pioneer Day Parade to begin on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – The audience during the National Anthem before the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Two boys throw candy from their parade float, representing the Panaca Market, during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.
By Leslie Ostronic – Teenagers and children attempt to catch popsicles thrown from a parade float during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Panaca.

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Panaca Pioneer Day

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