TRADITIONS OF PIONEER DAY IN MT. PLEASANT

Ever since 1909, the Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association has held an annual banquet and celebration in honor of the original pioneers to Mt. Pleasant. The Celebration has always been held in the latter part of March because that is when the pioneers gathered here to create a new settlement. Out of that first event, there has evolved some pretty fun traditions.

Tradition number one is the honoring of those 80 years of age and over. This once was an L.D.S. Church sponsored event. Many communities honored their old folks. In fact, that was what it was called ”Old Folks Day”. The Pioneer Association just sort of melded the two events together and called it Pioneer Day. Along with that concept, there was a “conveyance committee” formed. If you were a part of the “conveyance committee” it was your responsibility to help pick up the older folks who couldn’t get there on their own. The method of conveyance was with a horse-drawn cart or a more modern day jalopy.

Another tradition for many years was the men would grow beards in honor of Pioneer Day. If a gentleman didn’t grow a beard for the celebration, He was penalized some way by a kangaroo court. Three years ago, the men were encouraged to grow a beard for a “Beard Growing Contest”. Donald Hafen grew a handlebar mustache with his beard and won the contest hands down. His handle bar mustache was waxed to perfection and resembled a set of horns from long-horn steer.

Another tradition has been for the women and some men to dress up in pioneer style clothing. However, over the years this has changed to just the hostesses at the door wearing long dresses, shawls and hats. Although anyone who would like to dress up is encouraged to do so. Most of the time, the hats have been the really fun and essential item. Minnie Rutishauser, a member of the Pioneer Board of Directors during middle part of the past century really had a wonderful hat. Some of us also can remember Phyllis Nelson Riley’s pretty Victorian Era hat.

In the past the Celebration was a three day event, filled with all sorts of fun to entertain every generation. There were plays, costume balls, band concerts. But most of all it was a wonderful opportunity to renew acquaintances. And so, the directors have renamed it Mt. Pleasants’ Pioneer and Homecoming Day.

Every few years, a younger generation springs up to carry on. This year, Brandi Shelley and Kris Mills have added some other features to make it a very special Sesquicentennial Celebration. An art show will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center. Sour dough scones and biscuits will be served at the Relic Home. Fun and games are also planned for the children.

This very special day in this Sesquicentennial Year should stand out as one of the best in the history of Mt. Pleasant. You won’t want to miss it. What a wonderful and fun opportunity it will be to teach the younger generation more about the Pioneers to Mt. Pleasant.
The day will never come when pioneering is at an end, and so it is good to look back and remember and appreciate those who have made possible the achievements of today.

Bring your whole family Saturday, March 28th. The Lunch and Program will begin at noon at the Mt. Pleasant North Stake House with more festivities following. See you there !!!