By WARREN DILLAWAY - Staff Writer
PIERPONT TOWNSHIP — Tradition, old friendships and horse pulls come together every year at the Pioneer Picnic which has been bringing people together for 119 years.
The weather slowed the progress of the event Saturday morning, but it kicked into full gear with a wide variety of activities that celebrate history and family fun.
Michael Burdett, president of the Pioneer Picnic, said the event was going well despite the slow start.
The historic picnic draws thousands to the area to re-connect with old friends, enjoy food, listen to music and watch pageants.
Burdett said each year is a challenge to keep the event going because of financial and manpower issues. “I hope to make it another year. (You have) less and less people and more and more work,” he said.
The sawing competition was a highlight of activities as two man, and two woman teams, took to the cross-cut saw in an attempt to get the fastest time sawing through a log.
Burdett said old timers talk of a time when people weren’t sleeping building to building but blanket to blanket.
A boon to this year’s edition of the Pioneer Picnic was a pony pull that became possible when a Pittsburgh area man couldn’t travel to West Virginia and asked if he could come to Pierpont Township.
The rest is history and Burdett said he hopes to continue the event next year.
Amanda Wright, 16, of Dorset Township, has been competing in the Pioneer Picnic contests for most of her life and was crowned Miss Pioneer Picnic.
“I thought it was nice. I competed a lot and this was my first time to win. I gave it my best shot and I got it,” Wright said.
Marissa Henry, 9, of Conneautville, Pa., won the Little Miss Pageant and Ana Kidd, of Dorset Township, won the Tiny Miss Pageant.
“They are judged on poise, personality, their on stage question and their community involvement here,” said Lynnette Bonanno who has run the pageant for the last four years.
Friendships are a big key to the event.
Linda Wright, of Dorset Township, said she has been coming to the picnics for at least 30 years. She said she just enjoys seeing old friends.
One of those friends is Ellen Parsons of Conneautville, Pa., who has been coming to the event for at least 25 years.
