Pony express guide 2017smaller by Mad River Union

PONY EXPRESS DAYS  GUIDE 2017    May 31st to June 4th    

Wednesday, st

Saturday, rd

CHILI COOK OFF

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Friday, nd

PARADE

May 31

June 2

BARN DANCE

June 3

FESTIVAL and more!

Welcome!

The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to the 49th 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 Barn Dance ........................................ 5 Pancake Breakfast .............................. 5 Grand Marshals ................................ 7 Parade ............................................. 9 Festival ............................................. 11

Gymkhana ........................................ 13 McKinleyville Fire Station ........ 14-15 McKinleyville ................................... 17 Flower Power ............................. 18-19 McKinleyville Leadership ............... 21 Corks, Forks & Kegs ......................... 23 Lemonade Day .............................. 25 Sponsors ........................................... 27 Pardners ......................................... 28

A Quick Look at What’s Happening 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31

 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Chili Cook Off McKinleyville Activity Center, 1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

 8 p.m. to midnight: Barn Dance A & L Feed and Garden Supply, 2308 Central, McKinleyville

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

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 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Open House at McKinleyville Fire Station  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

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

 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

Bear River Casino • 2016 winners of Best Professional Chili

Wednesday, May 31 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 cornbread and honey to go with your chili. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. The Chamber is partnering with the MCSD Parks & Recreation Department and the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods for the event. Part of the funds raised will go to them for various programs. There will also be a bake sale at the cook off so you can end the evening with a little dessert!

The 2017 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.

Barn Dance

Friday, June 2 from 8 p.m. to midnight at A&L Feed and Garden Supply 2308 Central Ave. This is a 21 and over event

 Live music by Lone Star Junction Boot Contest Saloon by Six Rivers Brewery Food and more!

Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 3 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. in Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville

Enjoy a down home pancake breakfast served by the McKinleyville Boy and Girl Scouts and the Dow’s Prairie Grange.

Suggested donations are $7 for large adult meal and $4 for small kid’s meal.

Grand Marshals

Courtney and Weston were recognized at the Chamber of Commerce annual Members Choice Awards dinner on March 24 at Blue Lake Casino’s Sapphire Palace.

Courtney & Weston Kime

A tradition started in 2001, the Azalea Award is given every year by the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce. The award is given to McKinleyville community members who have a history of service and continue to serve today. Past award recipients get together to choose the following year’s winners. Cyndi Bainbridge and Bob Wainright, last year’s award recipients, said that they are excited to give the award to the younger generation. They are hoping that the Kimes’ example will encourage other young people to volunteer and help in our community. Weston Kime grew up in Eureka and attended Humboldt State University, where he met Courtney who had moved into the area with her family, as her father was the Coast Guard’s Commanding Officer. After graduation, they moved away for a short time, but the Kimes decided to return to Humboldt County. Their purchase of A & L Feed and Garden Supply in 2012 was the start of their efforts to support and improve McKinleyville; they are invested in their community. The Kimes knew that the A & L Feed building was an icon for the town and deserved to be a hub in more ways than one. They jumped right in supporting the Chamber of Commerce, local events, clubs and groups such as 4H. On any weekend, you can see them hosting free workshops or events for the kids to help them learn and raise money. Weston says, “It’s about bringing the community together, working together and helping everyone learn ways to improve our way of life in McKinleyville.”

Parade

Saturday, J une 3 11 a . m.

start time

2016 Grand Marshals Bob Wainwright and Cyndi Bainbridge on the Ming Tree Realtors wagon with Clydesdales

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. The Grand Marshals this year are Courtney and Weston Kime who were recently awarded the Chamber of Commerce Azalea Award at the chamber’s annual Member’s Choice Awards dinner. Entrants will travel down Central. The judge’s stand and announcers will be located in front of Coast Central Credit Union where they will be judged in six categories: Best Float, Best Equestrian, Best Car, Best Walking Group, Spirit Award (entry with most enthusiasm during the parade), Best Parade Performance (entry that is the most entertaining for the crowd). 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 partnered with Mad River Rotary to bring you the parade. They spent 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 3. 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.

Festival

Saturday, June 3 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, petting zoo, balloons, pony rides and more! Demonstrations and Exhibits 

Open House at McKinleyville Fire Station 

United States Coast Guard

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.

Gymkhana

Saturday and Sunday, June 3 & 4, 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.

McKinleyville Fire Station

The new McKinleyville Fire Station will hold its grand opening Saturday, June 3 during Pony Express Days, giving the public an opportunity to see the shiny, new facility. The grand opening will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2194 Central Ave. and will include tours of the station and fire trucks. Also on hand will be Cal-Ore Life Flight, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, CalFire, Pacific Gas & Electric and Serve Pro. Smokey the Bear is expected to stop by and hang out. Construction on the $1.8 million station began last summer. The

McKinleyville Fire Station

old station, which was about 2,900 square feet in size, was gutted, remodeled and expanded to 8,836 square feet. The new addition included three large drive-through bays for the fire trucks. The Arcata Fire District began operating out of the new station in December and moved its administrative headquarters from Arcata to McKinleyville. Most of the expense of building the station was paid for by the Arcata Volunteer Firefighters Association, which raised the money over a period of more than two decades.

McKinleyville

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 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

Flower Power McKinleyville Beautification Project Flower Power down Central Avenue!

The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce responded to requests from members and the community to help make McKinleyville a more attractive and inviting place to visit. Their answer to the request is a beautification project down Central Avenue. This project has been dubbed the Flower Power Project as its purpose is to hang flower pots from the light poles and string fairy lights on the trees from School to Railroad. The flower pots will debut in May before the kick off for Pony Express Days and remain up through October. Chamber businesses and the community have been invited to sponsor the flower pots and lights to make the improvement possible. Many people have come together to make this a reality.

Flower Pots can be sponsored for $300 each and lights for $50 each. If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact Heather at (707)839-2449.

Flower Power

Thank you to our 2016 Flower Pot Sponsors: McKinleyville Chevrolet  Linda Sundberg Insurance  Essential Elements Spa  DMC Construction  Coast Central Credit Union  AAA Self Storage  Humboldt Sanitation  McKinleyville Lions Club  Cher Ae Heights Casino  Lube Central  A & L Feed  McKinleyville Shopping Center  Mickeys Quality Cars  Redwood Capital Bank  Mad River Rotary  Eureka Payments  McKinleyville Glass  Blue Lake Casino  Matsen Insurance  Cloney’s Pharmacy  On the Spot Sportswear  St. Joseph Health  Ming Tree Realtors  Sequoia Gas  Brant Electric  Hooven & Co.  Kiwanis of McKinleyville  Ryan Sundberg for Supervisor  Ramones Bakery  Six Rivers Brewery  Beau Pre Golf Course  Miller Farms Nursery  Azalea Realty  Steve’s Septic  Umpqua Bank  Essential Elements Spa  Eureka Natural Foods  Moose Lodge 208 & 1114  New Heart Community Church  Edward Jones - Sarah Goodwin Thank you to 2016 Power Sponsors: Humboldt Petroleum  Humboldt Sanitation  A & L Feed  Coast Central Credit Union  Victoria Foresterling  McKinleyville Federated Women's Club  Azalea Realty  Moose Lodge 208 & 1114  Edward Jones - Sarah Goodwin

McKinleyville Leadership

McKinleyville Leadership is an interactive program running from September through November designed to introduce its class members the major facets of the McKinleyville and Humboldt County community. In addition, it will provide the opportunity for behind-thescenes understanding of the issues that impact our region's economic health and quality of life. A program of the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce, class members of McKinleyville Leadership will participate in educational sessions, site tours and candid conversations with community leaders. Topics including county government, law enforcement, education, social services, county planning – to name a few – challenge members to see their community as they never have before. McKinleyville Leadership is designed to accomplish four distinct goals: • Expose participants to the processes, programs, opportunities and challenges that impact McKinleyville and Humboldt County; • Stimulate interest in community activities and encourage engagement in local and regional affairs; • Create a network of community-minded leaders who will lead in a spirit of collaboration that fosters regional prosperity; • Provide participants with behind-the-scenes view of local and regional issues and give them access to the top business, civic and community leaders who play integral roles in the McKinleville and Humboldt County area. This 11-week program starts in September. Participants meet weekly. To find out more information or to apply, visit the chamber website at www.mckinleyvillechamber.com or call (707) 839-2449.

Corks, Forks & Kegs

Saturday, September 16

A beer and wine walk through McKinleyville with food tastings! This is a 21 and over event

Attend: Save the date! Host a stop in the walk  Be a food host  Be a beverage host  Sponsor the event

A fundraiser for the McKinleyville Lions Club and the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce.

Contact the McKinleyville Chamber today for more details. (707) 839-2449

Lemonade Day

Lemonade Day is coming June 3rd! This nationwide event, presented locally by AEDC Small

Business Lending Center and Decade of Difference, teaches kids to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service and give back to their community. It exists to infuse todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth with the spirit of enterprise, teaching the basic business and entrepreneurial skills one-lemonade stand at a time. Participants receive a backpack and workbooks to help them learn to start, own and operate their very own business. In 2016, participants in Lemonade Day made approximately $150 per stand. We encourage the kids to â&#x20AC;&#x153;save a little, spend a little and share a little.â&#x20AC;? In 2016, participants made approximately $7,500 and donated an estimated $1430 back to charities selected by the participants.

Contact AEDC today for more details. (707) 798-6132

Cub Scout Troop 95 set up a Lemonade Stand along the Pony Express Days parade route as a fundraiser.