Canyonville Pioneer Days Celebrates 60 Years With Four Days of Events

CANYONVILLE, Ore. - A longtime South Douglas County tradition returns this week as Canyonville Pioneer Days celebrates its 60th year with four days of music, contests, demonstrations, food and family activities at Pioneer Park.

The celebration begins Thursday, Aug. 27, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 30, with activities planned throughout the weekend. This year's lineup includes live music ranging from classic rock and country to tribute bands, along with children's contests, pioneer demonstrations, a dog show, horseshoe pitching and other community traditions.

Additional event information also lists a tractor show, vendor booths and a parade scheduled for Saturday.

Thursday: Opening Day

Pioneer Days gets underway Thursday afternoon with a homemade jam contest at 2 p.m.

The formal opening ceremony and Queens Court begins at 5:10 p.m., followed shortly afterward by an old-time barbecue hosted by the Canyonville Lions Club at 5:15 p.m.

A presentation titled "The First Pioneer Days" is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., giving visitors a look back at the history of the celebration as Pioneer Days marks its 60th year.

The Canyonville Chamber Pie Auction begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Eddy Ross Band performing classic country and rock beginning at 8 p.m.

The midway closes at 10 p.m.

Friday: Kids Activities and Live Music

Friday's activities begin at 10 a.m. with the Downstream Drum Team performing on the Creekside Stage.

A demonstration from Bergin College of Canine Studies follows at 10:30 a.m.

The afternoon turns toward activities for children, including:

• Noon: Kids games and Bigfoot races on the Creekside Stage
• 1 p.m.: Watermelon contest for ages 5 through 16
• 1:30 p.m.: Borrowed Time performing classic rock
• 4 p.m.: Folk musician Bruce Knowlton
• 6 p.m.: Toyz performing classic rock
• 8 p.m.: The Sweet performing rock music

The midway will remain open until 11 p.m. Friday.

Saturday: Full Day of Activities and Tribute Bands

Saturday brings one of the busiest schedules of the weekend, with demonstrations, games and music continuing from late morning into the night.

A Chance to Dance will give a demonstration at 11 a.m., followed by a Douglas County cheerleaders demonstration at 11:30 a.m.

Also beginning around 11:30 a.m. are several traditional contests and children's activities, including a greased pole, frog jump, sack race, three-legged race and donut-eating contest for ages 5 through 16.

Pioneer Life demonstrations begin at noon in the pavilion.

Music will continue through much of the afternoon and evening:

• 1 p.m.: The Eddy Ross Band, "Countryfied"
• 2 p.m.: Steve Kelly's Country Music Roundup
• 3:30 p.m.: Rogue Rage Duo performing blues
• 5 p.m.: Cherry Cherry, a Neil Diamond tribute
• 8 p.m.: Silver Blue & Gold, a Bad Company tribute
• 9:30 p.m.: Main Street, a Bob Seger tribute

The Canyonville Lions Club will host a cake walk at 3:30 p.m., and the Pioneer Dog Show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday's Pioneer Days activities also include a parade, according to event information published for this year's celebration.

The midway closes at 11 p.m.

Sunday: Horseshoes and Music

Pioneer Days wraps up Sunday morning with a horseshoe competition behind the tennis court.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with horseshoe pitching starting at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m., Open Bible Church and The Solid Rock Band will hold a praise and worship service with music at Pioneer Days.

The midway is scheduled to close at noon, bringing the four-day celebration to an end.

A South Douglas County Tradition

Pioneer Days has been part of Canyonville's community calendar for decades, combining entertainment with events that reflect the history and traditions of the South Umpqua Valley.

Historical records show that publications documenting pioneer history in Canyonville and surrounding South Douglas County communities were being produced in connection with Pioneer Days by the late 1960s. That historical element remains part of the event today, including this year's presentation on the first Pioneer Days and Saturday's Pioneer Life demonstrations.

The 60th annual Canyonville Pioneer Days runs Thursday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 30 at Pioneer Park in Canyonville.

Event listings advertise live music, food, vendors, a tractor show, demonstrations and Saturday's parade in addition to the scheduled activities.

For general event information, organizers list 541-218-2185. Vendor inquiries can be sent to CanyonvillePioneerDays@gmail.com.

More information and updates are available through the Canyonville Pioneer Days Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanyonvillePioneerDays/.