Welcome to Skagit County

July 11th, 2005

101TH ANNUAL SKAGIT COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION PICNIC AND MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2005 AT PIONEER PARK IN LA CONNER

LA CONNER – The 100th Annual Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2005 at Pioneer Park, near the Rainbow Bridge in La Conner, according to President Lou Ann Knutzen of Burlington.

There will be live music on the grounds, plenty of “old-timers,” and historic pictures and information available and on display. The event is open to all interested people at no charge, but those who wish may register and pay $2.00 for their annual membership fee in the Skagit County Pioneer Association, and will receive a colorful badge, ribbon, and other information.

Also, for a cost of $8.50 per plate, those who wish may buy tickets for the complete barbecued salmon dinner, served by members of the La Conner Civic Garden Club, beginning promptly at 11:15 a.m. Coffee, tea, and other beverages will be available through the efforts of the 4-H Craft and Critter Club of Anacortes, working to raise funds for special projects.

The Business Meeting of the Association will be called to order by President Knutzen at 12:45 p.m. and will include an invocation, flag salute, and group singing. Brief reports will be made by officers of the Association, and a memorial tribute offered for departed Pioneers. Honored guests will be recognized for their contributions to the Skagit Community, including the Munks family of Fidalgo Island as the 2005 Pioneer Family of the Year, and the Dunlap family of La Conner as the 2005 Pioneer Contributor. Elections for the coming year’s officers will also be held.

The Skagit County Pioneer Association was originally formed in 1891 but with requirements so restrictive that it soon came to an end. In 1904, a century ago, a concerned group from Sedro-Woolley revived the Association under less stringent requirements, and the annual meetings and picnics have been held regularly ever since.