A reenactor plugs his ears after he lights a canon that shot out candy during the Oregon Trail Days event in Tenino on Saturday.
Susannah Wilson, the grand marshal of the Oregon Trail Days parade, waves to the crowds that lined downtown Tenino on Saturday.
Kids in a school bus wave to the crowd on Saturday during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino.
Thurston County Commissioner John Hutchings stops to talk to some children during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino in this 2017 file photo.
Brynn Johnson, co-founder of Raise for Rowyn, hands out candy during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday.
Chester Cheetah makes his way through downtown Tenino on Saturday during the Oregon Trail Days parade on Saturday while throwing out bags of chips.
Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier and Thurston County Commissioner John Hutchings make their way through downtown during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday.
The Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team rides through downtown prior to the Oregon Trail Days Parade on Saturday in Tenino.
A participant in the parade drives down Sussex Avenue while throwing candy to the crowds of children that lined the street at the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday.
Tenino has a rich history residents are extremely proud of, part of which includes being a part of the Oregon Trail. During the early 20th Century, Ezra Meeker decided to retrace his steps and build monuments along the Oregon Trail to make sure none of the history, memories or people would be forgotten. On Feb. 20, 1906, Meeker arrived in Tenino and placed his very first monument.
Nearly 60 years later, in 1968, the mayor of Tenino issued a proclamation in the Tenino Independent proclaiming Aug. 3-25 as a time to honor their pioneer past. He also ordered all male residents over 18 to not shave for that period (unless they wanted to buy a $2 “beardless permit”) and that only “old-time” dress would be appropriate.
The first ever Oregon Trail Days was soon after and had everything from a parade to slow-pitch baseball and various dances for everyone. The stores on Sussex Avenue even got into the pioneer spirit by putting up historic window displays.
Oregon Trail Days still takes place the fourth weekend in July and features everything from a parade to a rock and gem show and a country music festival to a kid zone. There are activities for all ages throughout the weekend and most activities are free, making it the perfect outing for families on a budget.
“It’s the perfect showcase of Tenino’s history,” said Tyler Whitworth, Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce president. “You can see the modern meets the old.”
The festivities officially kick off Saturday afternoon with the parade. The Oregon Trail Days parade is the representation of the weekend as a whole; there is something for the entire family. There will be antique cars, horses, the Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team and candy thrown from floats.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to do activities such as candle - or apple-cider making, cut logs, carve some stones or even print money at the Tenino Depot Museum.
“Kids can learn about how (the pioneers) did what they did,” Whitworth said.
Country Singer Kaitee Carney will perform from the park stage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and the black powder gun public presentation shoot starts about 12:30 p.m. Those who wish to try the black powder guns can do so for $1, Whitworth said.
“There will be everything under the sun. There’s something for everyone,” Whitworth said.
A kids’ zone will be set up with bouncy toys, dunk tank and various other activities.
The quarry pool will also be open for everyone to enjoy.
Adam Craig is scheduled to perform Friday and Saturday at the Four Square Mile Music Festival.
While the festivities may not officially kick off until Saturday afternoon, there is plenty to do before that. Trader’s Row will be set up Friday afternoon, and will feature a pioneer encampment complete with people wearing vintage-style leather goods and raccoon hats. This is also where anyone looking for whittled or handcrafted goods would find them.
The Tenino Farmers Market will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on Olympia Street.
Other Friday festivities include the Annual Washington Agate and Mineral Society Rock and Gem Show, activities at the Tenino Depot Museum.
Sunday, the final day of Oregon Trail Days, will begin with a free pancake breakfast at the Quarry House. Sunday will also feature Worship in the Park sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church, the rock and gem show, activities at the Tenino Depot Museum and the black powder shooters certificate awards, among other activities. Trader’s Row will be torn down around 3 p.m.
This year the Boys and Girls Club will be running shuttle service from Tenino Elementary/Middle School and the Tenino High School football stadium. Parking is free and the suggested donation is five dollars.
The shuttle will run every seven minutes Friday night for the Four Square Mile Music Festival and all day on Saturday.
