Callaway’s annual Pioneer Picnic is only eight days away, and those attending this year’s celebration are in for a special, fun-packed three days! The Callaway Chamber of Commerce officer team of Kelsey Wyckoff, Stacey Guthard, Kayla Berg, and Kindle Rice have been busy planning events for Pioneer Picnic for the past year.

“We start planning for the next year’s event right after this one is over,” Wyckoff shared. In honor of the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, the theme for this year is “From Pioneer Days to Today: 250 Years Together”. That theme will be carried throughout the floats and entries in the parade, as well as games and activities during the weekend.

Pioneer Picnic 2026 will begin gearing up on Friday, June 26, when everyone is encouraged to take a refreshing dip in the community aquatic center, opening at noon, and visit the 7 Valleys Museum, which will open at 2 p.m. Friday evening the fun gets rolling with the always popular mutton bustin’ contest at the Seven Valleys Rodeo Arena beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the rodeo at 7 p.m. Admission to the rodeo is $10 for everyone over age 5. The night will conclude with a dance to the live music of Borderline at Sand Creek Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Callaway Good Life Center will host a fundraiser breakfast on Saturday morning at the Community Center beginning at 7:30 a.m., and a fun run to support the South Loup Youth Wrestling program will get underway at 8 a.m.

The parade down Kimball Street begins at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. “I’m excited to see all the floats. There should be some really good ones - there always is - with the patriotic theme. It should just be a really good time,” said Wyckoff.

Following the parade, everyone is invited to enjoy lunch at Morgan Park, where options will include the Cook Shack featuring Mrs. Robinson’s Cafe, and walking tacos to benefit the elementary playground project. Be sure to top off your lunch with a sweet treat from the FCCLA booth, where dirty sodas and scotchcaroo’s will be offered.

The fun activities for kids of all ages kick into high gear at noon on Saturday in Morgan Park. “This year we are going to have some Rockit Event Pros games that are different than what we have had in the past,” Wyckoff explained. “They will have mechanical bull riding, jousting, and three or four other different activities for kids.”

For just $2, kids can get an all-day wristband for the Rockit Event Pros activities. The car show in the park is also a very popular event. That will begin at noon on Saturday. The shady park provides a perfect backdrop for a host of activities throughout the afternoon for all ages. At 1 p.m., the kids’ races begin, along with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The local TeamMates chapter will also be hosting duck races at the pool.

More adult-oriented fun can be found downtown on Saturday, as the cornhole tournament to benefit the After-Prom will be held at Sand Creek Bar beginning at 1 p.m.

All of those activities are sure to work up an appetite, but the Legion has you covered. “Last year we had burgers and brats at the Community Center, and we will do that again this year. The Legion family the Sons, Legion members, and Auxiliary - is putting that on,” said Wyckoff.

Serving of the burgers and brats supper will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday. The day will conclude with live music at Sand Creek Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Jackson Wayne, followed by the Kiley Barwich Band.

The final day of Pioneer Picnic will begin with a biscuits and gravy breakfast at the Community Center, hosted by the Legion Family. At 10 a.m. the fun will move to the rodeo grounds for the rodeo slack, while events will start in Morgan Park at 11 a.m. with a church service.

A kid’s and adult tractor pull will be held in the park at noon, hosted by Sons of the American Legion. Sunday afternoon activities in the park will also include a dodgeball tournament, and toad and turtle races.

Pioneer Picnic 2026 will conclude on Sunday, June 28, with mutton bustin’ at the rodeo grounds at 4:30 p.m., followed by the final performance of the Seven Valleys Rodeo at 5 p.m.

“We’re just hoping families will come out and bring their blankets to the park to enjoy a picnic and enjoy a fun afternoon and weekend,” Wyckoff added. “We very much appreciate all of our volunteers, and we are always looking for more. If anyone is interested in helping plan for next year, we will welcome them with open arms.”