This year marks the 90th year of the Callaway Pioneer Picnic. The first Pioneer Picnic was held in 1933, in conjunction with the dedication in Morgan Park of the first Custer County Courthouse. With the exception of the World War II years, the community event has been held annually ever since.

In the early years the celebration, which is always held on the last weekend in June, featured the 'registering' of the pioneers. Today the Pioneer Picnic serves as an opportunity for community members to gather for fun activities and for Callaway High School alumni to catch up with old friends.

The 2023 event gets underway on Friday, June 16, with the highlight of the Pioneer Picnic - the Seven Valleys Rodeo. Rodeo action will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the rodeo grounds on Highway 40. The 7 Valleys Museum will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the pool will open at noon.

Activities kick off early on Saturday with the fun run at 8 a.m. at Morgan Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the park for the car show; there is no entry fee. Saturday morning will also include sidewalk chalk art on main street in front of the Nigel Sprouse Library, an art show at the library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Henry's famous Bloody Mary bar at 10 a.m. Parade line up in front of the school also begins at 10 a.m.

The annual Pioneer Picnic parade down Kimball Street gets started at 10:45 a.m. with this year's theme, 'Building A Future'. The cook shack, operated by Mrs. Robinson's Cafe, will open at 11 a.m. and the auto show in Morgan Park will begin at noon.

There will also be a kids carnival in the park at noon and the Tropical Sno stand will open at that time as well. Other fun activities in the park beginning at noon include a book sale fundraier by the Callaway Elementary Student Council, and Tail Twisters cow pie bingo. A cornhole tournament will begin at noon at Henry's Bar and the swimming pool will open at noon.

Kids races, spider mountain, bouncy houses, train rides and Bingo will all take place in Morgan Park throughout the afternoon beginning at 12:30 p.m. Those who like to live a little more dangerously can participate in the dodge ball tournament beginning at 1 p.m. in the park.

From 2 - 4 p.m. all CHS alumni are invited to a tea at the Legion Hall, and pickle ball will be played at the Community Center beginning at 5 p.m.

At 8 p.m. on Saturday the always popular street dance in front of Henry's Bar will get started, with entertainment provided by Nashville country singer Graham Nancarrow. Following the dance there will be late night breakfast burritos available at Henry's, catered by Mrs. Robinson's.

Sunday morning the Seven Valleys Rodeo Association slack will begin at 10 a.m., with a church service in the park at 11 a.m. The kids carnival, bingo and 3-on-3 basketball tournament all begin at 1 p.m. at the park, with toad and turtle races at 2 p.m.

The 90th Annual Pioneer Picnic will close out on Sunday evening with the rodeo, beginning at 7:30 p.m.