Ronan community participates in annual pioneering fun
Beau Biggs photo
New to this year’s festivities was a human foosball game.
Beau Biggs photo
Kids take off to capture a chicken during the chicken scramble.
A cowboy competes in the bronc riding competiton.
Beau Biggs photo
Beau Biggs photo
Pioneer Days parade participants smile from horseback.
Summer Goddard
Ellis Ruhkala, 10, catches a fish during the kids fishing derby held in Bockman Park.
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN – The community came together to celebrate the 27th Ronan Pioneer Days during a three-day event at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
On Sunday night, the rodeo stands were filled with folks attending one of the most unique events to Montana – the wild buffalo rides. In this unique event, riders climb atop the backs of buffalo to see how long they can hold on.
“It’s something unique you only see in Ronan, Montana,” said Kim Aipperspach, president of the Pioneer Days committee.
There was something for everyone during the three-day event, including a street dance with live music, a three-on-three basketball jamboree, family karaoke, a fishing derby, a golf scramble, a car show, and of course the kiddie slicker rodeo. In the kiddie slicker rodeo kids wrangle loose chickens and attempt to put human clothing on goats —only the underwear required.
The Creston National Fish Hatchery in Kalispell donated 320 rainbow trout to this year’s kids fishing derby. Some 80-90 fish were stocked in two large pools for the youngest particpants. The rest were released into Spring Creek which runs through Ronan’s Bockman Park. Event organizer Lucky Larson recalled fond memories participating in the Pioneer Days fishing derby when he was a kid. He noted that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office donated fishing poles and bait for this year’s event.
The mutton busting competition, modeled after bronc riding, wasn’t held this year as the volunteers who usually provide participant sheep weren’t available. Organizers developed a new event in its place - a human foosball competition. Children participated in the new event this year. Next year’s foosball event could include an adult version.
2023 Pioneer Days Parade results:
Community Floats
1st Place: Ronan Wrestling Club
2nd Place: Farm Bureau
3rd Place: Smokey the Bear
Commercial Floats
1st Place: 2nd Chance Bar
2nd Place: Valley Bank
3rd Place: Little Critters Daycare
Best Overall Theme
Ronan Wrestling Club
Best Class Flat
Class of ‘72
Best Antique Tractor
Issac Cantlon
Best Native American Dress
Jesse White
Best Horse Mount
Hazel White
People’s Choice
The Hunt’s Family Jeep Trippin Bus
Classic Autos
1st Place: Kevin Detwiller’s 1967 Olds
2nd Place: JoAnna Shaw’s ’59 Apache
3rd Place: Jerry Emerson’s ’07 Mustang
Antique Autos
1st Place: Richard Tobel’s - ’41 Zephyr
2nd Place: Bob Shaw’s - ’46 Ford
3rd Place: John Lindburg’s - ’29 Model A
