For the past 89 years folks have been gathering in Callaway for the annual Pioneer Picnic celebration. It has nearly always been a two-day event, initially planned to honor those brave pioneers who forged their way through the valley and settled the village.

The theme of the 2022 Pioneer Picnic was “Bring On The Rain” - appropriate for the times. The parade down Kimball Street featured floats, classic cars, horses and the Callaway school marching band. Both sides of Kimball Street were lined with spectators, and thanks to the gorgeous weather folks weren’t clamoring to find every available shade hole.

Weather is about the last thing on the minds of the children on parade day. They posted up along the curbs with bags in hand ready to pounce as pieces of candy were tossed from passing vehicles along the parade route. However, a couple of the entries had a surprise for the crowd in the form of water guns - and even a hose - which were sprayed at some of the bystanders. All in good fun, of course.

Following the parade most of the crowd made their way to Morgan Park to check out the variety of entries in the car show. A lunch stand provided food while kids played in the park eagerly awaiting the start of the kids carnival and other activities.

Pioneer Picnic always brings alumni back to town to join in reunions and the annual alumni banquet. Though a recent hail storm caused heavy damage to the town, affecting nearly every resident, the celebration continued.

Today’s residents of Callaway have shown the type of resilience that the pioneers of the community would be proud of.