PONY EXPRESS DAYS GUIDE 2016
June 1st to June 5th
Welcome!
1
The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to the 48th annual Pony Express Days Celebration in McKinleyville. The celebration began in 1968 as a family-friendly barbecue, parade and equestrian race and quickly became known as McKinleyville’s signature annual event. It’s changed and evolved over the decades, each year reflecting the interests of the town, the volunteers and others who make the celebration possible. This year’s Pony Express Days includes familiar favorites, like the Parade, Festival, Chili Cook-Off and the Gymkhana. We hope you’ll join us and celebrate with our friends and neighbors in McKinleyville. Put on a cowboy hat, shine up your boots and let’s meet in downtown Mack Town and have a good time. Thank you for supporting the McKinleyville community. Have fun and enjoy all the festivities! For more information call the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce at (707)839-2449 or visit the website at www.mckinleyvillechamber.com. Heather Viña McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce 1640 Central Ave., McKinleyville, CA 95519 (707) 839-2449 mckinleyvillechamber.com
What’ s Inside A Quick Look at What’s Happening ... 2 Festival Rules ...................................... 2 Chili Cook-off .................................... 3 Farm Fest ............................................ 5 Pancake Breakfast .............................. 5 Teen & Community Center .............. 6 Teen Center Grand Opening ............. 7
Grand Marshals ............................. 8-9 Parade ............................................. 11 Festival ............................................. 13 Gymkhana ........................................ 15 About McKinleyville ........................ 17 Sponsors ........................................... 19 Pardners ......................................... 20
A Quick Look at What’s Happening 2
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Chili Cook Off McKinleyville Activity Center, 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 noon to 4 p.m.: Farm Fest A & L Feed and Garden Supply 2308 Central McKinleyville 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Grand Opening Celebration McKinleyville Teen & Community Center, 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville
SATURDAY, JUNE 4 8 to 10:30 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast at Azalea Hall starting at 9 a.m. Gymkhana McKinleyville Rodeo Grounds on Kjer Road north of the airport 11 a.m. Pony Express Days Parade down Central Avenue noon to 4 p.m. Pony Express Days Festival at Pierson Park noon to 4 p.m. Pony Express Saloon at Pierson Park 1 to 3 p.m. Horseshoe Tournament at Pierson Park horseshoe pits 3 p.m. Presentation of Parade Winners at Pierson Park Stage 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. TEEN ONLY Grand Opening of The Club McKinleyville Teen & Community Center, 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville
SUNDAY, JUNE 5 starting at 9 a.m. Gymkhana McKinleyville Rodeo Grounds on Kjer Road north of the airport
FESTIVAL RULES • Alcohol may only be consumed in the cups provided. • All patrons are subject to search. • Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed outside the designated area during the chili cook off and the festival. • Must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol. • No alcohol may be brought in or out of the event. • No ice chests. • No weapons are allowed inside the event. • You must wear an ID wristband to consume alcohol during the chili cook off and festival.
Chili Cook-off
3
Wednesday, June 1 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
at the McKinleyville Activity Center, 1705 Gwin Road
Fun and food for the whole family. Meet your neighbors down at the Activity Center for a night of tasting some of the best chili around. There will be live music by Michael Dayvid as well as fun activities for the kids. You are the judge and local chefs, professional and amateur will be sharing their best recipes and vying for your vote in five different categories: Best Professional Chili, McKinleyville’s Best Chili, Best Dressed Team, Best Team Name and Best Booth. Tickets are $8 per person and include corn bread and honey to go with your chili. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. The Chamber is partnering with the McKinleyville Lions Club for the event. Part of the funds raised will go to them for winter express and various vision programs. There will also be a bake sale at the cook off so you can end the evening with a little dessert.
The 2016 Pony Express Days Guide is published by the Mad River Union, 791 Eighth St. ( Jacoby’s Storehouse), Suite 8, Arcata, CA 95521.
Jack Durham & Kevin Hoover, Publishers Lauraine Leblanc, Production Manager Jada Calypso Brotman, Ads Manager Marty Burdette, Proofreader Printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks. Please recycle.
Vegetarian Burgers Great Salad Menu Chicken Sandwiches Old Fashioned Shakes
Voted Best Hamburger in Humboldt County for 19 years!
HAMBURGERS HAMBURGERS We Weserve serveonly only
Humboldt HumboldtGrass GrassFed FedBeef Beef
Arcata 1535 G Street 826-1379 Eureka 2009 Harrison Ave (across from General Hospital)
445-2061
Dine in/take out
2850 E St., Eureka
(Henderson Center) 707
269-2400
2355 Central Ave., McKinleyville 707
839-9093
Search the market at
communityrealty.net Community Realty – The largest non-franchised office in Humboldt County An association of independently owned and operated Real Estate Brokerages
Farm Fest
5
Friday, June 3 from noon to 4 p.m. A&L Feed and Garden Supply will hold the Pony Express Farm Fest at 2308 Central Ave. Fun for kids of all ages. Local members of Future Farmers of America will give homesteading demos and there will be lots of farm friends as well as food and kid activities.
Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 4 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. in Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville
Enjoy a down home pancake breakfast served by the Dow’s Prairie Grange #505 and friends. Suggested donations are $7 for large adult meal and $4 for small kids meal.
McKinleyville Teen & Community Center 6
Welcome the Club at McKinleyville Teen & Community Center! The Parks and Recreation Department is excited to expand the various recreational opportunities it provides for the community through the additional classroom spaces, music room, study space, commercial kitchen, and lobby area in the Teen & Community Center. Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods is proud to be invited to better serve youth in Northern Humboldt through The Club at McKinleyville Teen & Community Center. At The Club, teens will be able to engage in a variety of programs aimed to enhance academic success, develop character and citizenship skills, and build healthy lifestyles as they grow into adulthood. Trained Youth Development Professionals and community volunteers will staff programs and serve as mentors to these middle and high school teens.
photo by
Jack Durham, Mad River Union
McKinleyville Teen 7 & Community Center McKinleyville Teen & Community Center
Grand Opening Celebration Friday, June 3 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville The McKinleyville Community Services District Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods invites you to join them in celebration of the McKinleyville Teen & Community Center’s Grand Opening! This family-friendly event will allow community members to see all the opportunities that will be available for youth starting this summer.
The Club
at
McKinleyville Teen & Community Center
TEEN ONLY Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, June 4 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville The McKinleyville Youth Leadership Society (MYLS) is hosting the Teen Only Grand Opening Celebration. This event is for teens in Middle School or High School, and will have music, games, Wii, Xbox 360 and an Ice Cream Bar! Teens will be able to register as members of The Club, and have fun with their friends all evening!
8
Grand Marshals
The Grand Marshals this year are Cyndi Bainbridge and Bob Wainwright who were recently awarded the Chamber of Commerce Azalea Award at the chamber’s annual Member’s Choice Awards dinner. Bob has worked in many fields during his career, some of which are owning Wainwright’s Mobil Station at the corner of Central Ave. and School Rd. in the ’60s and ’70s, a journeyman sheet metal worker/welder and a heavy equipment operator. He has traveled over one million miles as a truck driver and retired in 2005 from North Coast Export/LP after 25 years as a Millwright Electrician. He is the father of three sons and the grandfather of five. After graduating from McKinleyville High School, Cyndi completed two years at College of the Redwoods with a focus on Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the food service and childcare industries, was the front-end manager of a retail store in Lake County and a manager’s secretary in charge of merchandise ordering at a building center. She has always enjoyed working with children and those with special needs. She is the proud aunt of eight nephews and nieces. Community involvement is important for Bob and Cyndi. McKinleyville Lions club members, Bob for over 45 years and Cyndi for 12 years. They also serve on the board of Northcoast Lions Eye Foundation, Reading Service of the Redwoods and Cyndi with the McKinleyville Federated
Grand Marshals
9
Women’s Club. They have always felt that it is important to give back to the community and those less fortunate. They take part in many activities; the most notable being the Lions Winter Express program which benefits over 700 local Kindergarten to third grade students at Christmas time. Together for 13 years, Bob and Cyndi enjoy traveling, spending quality time with the kids, grandkids, nephews and nieces, as well as with their friends. Bob and Cyndi are pleased to have been chosen for this honor. They would like to thank their family and friends for their support. They are extremely proud to be a part of this wonderful community and working alongside those who want to make the world a better place. The Lions club motto is “We Serve�. It is a motto that Bob and Cyndi take to heart.
Parade
11
Saturday, J une 4 11 a . m.
start time
The Pony Express Days Parade is arguably the main event of McKinleyville’s annual festival. The Pony Express Days Parade will follow its usual route down Central Avenue from Murray Road to School Road. Bring the family out to enjoy the many floats and entries. Entrants will travel down Central past the judge’s stand in front of the new Eureka Natural Foods where they will be judged in seven categories: best car, best float, best band/ group, best youth group, best senior group, best equestrian and best overall parade entry. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. from the festival stage. Entry into the parade is free again this year thanks to our many Pony Express Days sponsors. The Chamber partners with Mad River Rotary to bring you the parade. They spend many hours of volunteer time to make it fun for everyone.
Central Avenue between Murray Road and School Road will be temporarily closed during the Pony Express Days Parade on Saturday, June 4. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Murray and slowly makes it way down Central Avenue. Roads will be reopened after the parade passes. However, motorists who have failed to plan ahead may find themselves unable to get to or from their homes. If you need to get around town during the parade, you may want to think twice about where you park your car, or better yet use your bicycle or ride your horse, and then you’ll have the right of way.
DAVID TROBITZ, DVM ROBYN THOMPSON, DVM
RACHAEL BIRD, DVM SCOTT AMSEL, DVM
MCKINLEYVILLE
CENTER
VETERINARY SERVICE • GROOMING • BOARDING • PET SUPPLIES
2151 CENTRAL AVE. MCKINLEYVILLE, CA 95519-2757 Appointments 839-1504 www.mckinleyvilleanimalcare.com
Boarding/Grooming 839-1514 Emergencies 822-5124
oPen tues - Fri 7:30am - 5Pm sat 9am - 4Pm
1263 Giuntoli lane, arcata 822-5194
Festival
13
Saturday, June 4 noon to 4 p.m. at Pierson Park Live music by Midnight Special, BBQ , food and craft vendors, Saloon, kid’s activities, a horseshoe tournament and more! Saloon: Hosted by Six Rivers Brewery, partnered with McKinleyville Kiwanis. Free kids activities: Bounce house, balloons, pony rides and more! Horseshoe Tournament: 1 p.m. at the Pierson Park horseshoe pits. Check in at 12:45 p.m. Two-person teams, 18 years and older. Get your application from the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce website at www.mckinleyvillechamber.com. Space is limited and entries are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Announcement of Parade Winners: 3 p.m. from the festival stage Festival Support: The Living Water Church will be running support for the festival, helping with set up and clean up as well as providing the bounce house, free kids games and activities.
Download coupons from our website: www.lube-central.com
1590 Nursery Rd. McKinleyville Bring in this coupon and receive
5 off any service!
$

The rumors are true! Everything you love about Eureka Natural
Foods is coming to McKinleyville!
Opening summer Of 2016 Stay tuned for further details and announcements
Helping you to live well and be healthy-naturally!
Gymkhana
15
Saturday and Sunday, June 4 & 5, starts at 9 a.m. at the Kjer Road Arena
A series of competitive games on horseback,
there are five events total: Birangle, Big T, Shill Barrels, Clover Barrels and B Riders Choice. Riders must be rated into a division to qualify. There will also be a lead line for the little riders with prizes. This is the first point show of the season. There will be a snack bar and lots of fun. The event is hosted by the McKinleyville Rodeo Association. For more information, contact Jamie at (707) 496-4840.
FREE Portable Phone Charger With an Accessory Purchase
Offer is valid at NorCal Wireless AT&T Authorized locations. One offer per family.
Eureka 3543 Broadway 707-476-0600
Arcata 600 F Street Next to Safeway 707-825-1010
see store for full details • other restrictions may apply
McKinleyville
17
Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a backdrop of tree covered mountains, McKinleyville is a one-of-a-kind modern day town surrounded by rural beauty combined with a leisurely paced atmosphere. Mack Town was once known as a place where “horses have the right of way,” with a metal pole outside the post office to tie up your horse. Horses are no longer as common on our main roads, but they still enjoy the good life, especially in north McKinleyville, better known as Dow’s Prairie. With easy access, horseback riders love the broad, sandy, miles-long Clam Beach, one of the most popular in the county. Take a walk or ride your bike on the scenic Hammond Trail, a paved trail that runs parallel to the coast from one end of McKinleyville to the other. Visit local beaches and spend the day kayaking, surfing, fishing or taking a leisurely stroll looking for treasures. Within minutes many outdoor adventures await. Bird watching, hiking and camping in State Parks and forests, some of the best river fishing in the world, whitewater rafting trips, or take photos of live elk in their natural habitat. On your travels, you will surely notice the Totem Pole at the McKinleyville Shopping Center. The pole was first carved in 1962 by Ernest Pierson with the help of Johnny Nelson. The McKinleyville pole is 160 feet tall and weighs 57,000 pounds.It also holds the title of the World’s Largest Totem Pole because you’re unlikely to find any other totem poles carved from a 500-year-old old-growth redwood. McKinleyville has now become the fastest growing community on the North Coast. With the California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport just north of town, McKinleyville is the commercial air gateway to Humboldt County. Also, the Coast Guard Rescue Team is headquartered next to the airport. The community offers plenty of family activities and parks, a thriving business community offering everything one needs right in town, an active senior center and established school systems, with Humboldt State University being only 10 minutes away. Humboldt is famous for its pristine coastline, ancient redwood forests, fresh seafood, unique handcrafted products and friendly people. Enjoy all this in McKinleyville and its small town charm with big city services.
photo
Jack Durham, Mad River Union by
Sponsors
19
The Chamber would like to thank everyone who donated time, items or services to help make all the Pony Express Days events a success. This celebration would not be possible without individuals and businesses working together.
T he D uke
B onanza
Ranch Hand
B uckaroo Hooven & Co. New Trend Wireless/ Jackson & Eklund US Cellular JLF Construction Tri Counties Bank Kreations
B andit MacMullin & Company Soroptomist of McKinleyville
20
Pardners
The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce offers opportunities for organizations and clubs to partner with them during fundraising activities. These partners share in the work as well as receive a portion of the funds raised during the event they are helping with. For more information about partnership opportunities, contact the McKinleyville Chamber at (707) 839-2449 or visit their website at www. mckinleyvillechamber.com McKinleyville Lions Club has been serving the community since 1962. They are small but mighty at eight members strong. Their main objective has been sight conservation since Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” in 1925. They provide free SPOT vision screenings at local schools and other venues. Their main service project is the Winter Express event. Approximately 720 K-3rd grade students from six schools and 250 volunteers attend this annual event where individual photos with Santa are taken and each student shops for four treasured gifts for their loved ones. For more information contact Bob Wainwright at (707) 839-3768. Mad River Rotary is a group of community minded individuals who have been involved in Humboldt County projects for many years. The club has an annual fundraiser in October that benefits local projects as well as scholarships and other community initiatives. Projects they have participated in and contributed towards include: McKinleyville High Scholarships, Annual Luncheon to honor the top 10% of graduating seniors from McKinleyville High School, Dictionaries for all 3rd graders in McKinleyville, Blue Lake and Orick, annual Easter Senior Luncheon, sponsorship of annual MHS Tip-off Basketball Tournament, contributions to local Teen Center, and Little League Batting Cages. In just the past four years, Mad River Rotary has provided over $90,000 to many local causes. For more information about Mad River Rotary contact Greg Orsini at mcsdgm@mckinleyvillesd.com. The Kiwanis Club of McKinleyville is part of a global organization comprised of local volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. We strive to help the children of McKinleyville by supporting McKinleyville Boy and Girl Scouts, Backpack for Kids Food program, McKinleyville Parks and Recreation, High School Key Club, McKinleyville Family Resource Center, Salvation Army bell ringing, granting McKinleyville High School scholarships, providing school supplies, science fair supplies, and clothing for children at all the McKinleyville schools, and assist in the Worldwide Day of Play. Kiwanis is dedicated to our children of McKinleyville. For more information about Kiwanis Club of McKinleyville contact David Carbiener at (707) 444-6163
FESTIVAL S UP PO RT
Dows Prairie Grange Since the late 1930s, the members of the Dow’s Prairie Grange in McKinleyville have worked to build a stronger community through fellowship and service. A strong supporter of youth groups including Girl Scouts, McKinleyville High School and 4-H, Dow’s Prairie Grange #505 is also a designated emergency shelter and sponsors local CERT and First Aid classes. For information about membership, the monthly pancake breakfast, flea market, free history presentations or rentals, please visit their website at www.dowsprairiegrange.org/ home or contact them directly at dowsgrange@gmail.com. Living Water Church at 1463 Railroad Dr., McKinleyville, is a Bible believing, Love of God demonstrating Church that is new to the area. They occupy the former “Faith Temple” building on Railroad. Their doors have been open since October, 2015. They intend to be a community centered ministry through prayer, outreach, and service. For service and Bible study times, please feel free to call (707) 498-7785.