Horsin’ Around was the theme for the 2026 Ronan Pioneer Days, held last weekend.

While there were a few horses involved, there were lots of humans at play, participating in the 10th annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney, a car show, a co-ed softball tournament, Friday’s golf scramble and the 5K Mission Mountain Classic run.

Justine Welker of the Pioneer Days Committee said there 60 to 80 runners who started at 8 a.m. Saturday and were done before the temperature went up.

“The weekend went super well,” Welker said.

The kids fishing derby, held Friday morning, is always popular. 

“The fishing derby went great,” Mattson McClure said. McClure, who works at Westland Seed, said they had a great turnout.

“Fish were caught, and there was a lot of laughter and smiles,” he said. In the end, that’s what matters, he added. 

He had thanks for the fish hatchery at Creston that donates the fish; it went great. 

“We put 100 rainbow trout in the pools and 200  in the creek for the older kids,” McClure said. “We have a ton of fun when we’re at the derby biting hooks, netting fish, and taking kids and their fish to the cutting and cleaning station.”

The cutting and cleaning station is “like the educational part of the fishing derby.” Kids learn how their fish are cleaned and put on ice so they can take them home.

The Kiddie Slicker Rodeo brought youngsters to the fairgrounds arena to play games, run barrels, ride sheep and chase chickens from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

There were food trucks around, and the Pioneer Day Concession Committee fried up burgers and served cold drinks and treats.

A new event, a scavenger hunt called Catch the Pony-keg, led families all over town from 3-6 p.m. Saturday to help find the lost ponies (kegs) and return them to their barns. The inaugural hunt was sponsored by the Pioneer Days Company, Ronan Co-op Brewery, Second Chance Saloon, The Pheasant, The Valley Club and The Club. 

There were traditional street dances on Friday and Saturday night with music by Chuck Briseno in front of The Second Chance Saloon and The Pheasant. 

On Saturday night and Sunday, LKC Rodeo put on an open rodeo at the fairgrounds, and the community supported and enjoyed the ridin’ and ropin’.

Sunday, after church, volleyball and more softball, the Big Parade cruised through downtown Ronan at 12:30, drawing many cars from the car show, horses and riders with beaded regalia, several floats, the Skyliners 4 x 4 Club and Ronan Fire Department units – including a truck spraying hot spectators with water. 

A second rodeo was held at 3 p.m. and, for those who still had some oomph, the Valley Club hosted family karaoke night.

What a celebration, Ronan.

    Beautiful beaded horse regalia and horses made this group extra special at the Pioneer Days Parade. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)