2025 Pioneer Day Program by 13 Stars Media

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to Pioneer Day 2025

In 2025, we have the great honor to celebrate 95 years of Pioneer Day in Paso Robles. That’s almost a century of keeping the traditions of the local Pioneers thriving. Recognizing their dedication to community, their hard work during even the toughest years, and their devotion to family & friends.

The Pioneer Spirit lives in all of us who have planted roots in this area no matter how many generations our family heritage may go back. It’s a frame of mind, an appreciation of those who came before us, and a desire to preserve the small-town sensibility for the future residents of our hometown.

Today, we ask that you take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, “Leave Your Pocketbook at Home”, for a brief moment, and join together in celebrating our community, its history, and the relationships it has brought us.

Take a walk down memory lane with us today as antique tractors, historic wagons and military vehicles make their way through downtown. Wave to our Pioneer Day Royalty, Marshal Gary Tucker, Queen Lorraine Cagliero and Belle Olivia Anderson along with their Attendants as they pass by. Check out the various contests, static displays and events taking place throughout the day and don’t forget to grab the traditional beans and some gelato in the park after the parade.

Before I let you go to enjoy all of those amazing things, I want to take a quick moment to share my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing Community for the various sponsorships, donations and countless volunteer hours so many of you have put in to continue these time-honored traditions.

It’s been a privilege to serve as the 2024-2025 Chairman and I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent my family once again in the customs of this day. So as we mark another year in the books, I hope you have a great one & I want to wish my Gramma Connie a Happy 95th Birthday!

Cheers!

Cover image by Brittany App

paso robles pioneer day

ANNUAL PARADE LINEUP

**Parade Lineup is subject to change

23. Estrella Warbirds Museum

24. Evenson Family Farm

25. Ford Raptor Power Wheels

26. Greg Fanning's 1951 John Deer

27. Haney Family John Deere 265

28. Hidden Power Motorsports

29. Jared and Jenna Brush

30. JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Education Program

31. John Sartori's Model-A

32. Johnboy's Towing

33. Jon Waterfield Motorsports

34. Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse

35. Kings County Sheriff's Posse

36. Las Yeguas Ranch 1984 Service Truck

37. Lemos Feed & Pet Supply

38. M1123 Humvee

39. M1123 Humvee Quick Reaction Vehicle

40. M151 A2

41. Main Street Dance Company

42. Masons of SLO County

43. Miss California MidState Fair Queen & Court

44. Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum

45. Moving and Shakin' Minis

46. Mule M 274

47. North County Nutcracker Ballet

48. Olsen Family 1917 Samson Tractor

49. Operation Christmas Child

50. Parkfield 4-H

51. Paso A Pasito Dance Group

52. Paso Robles American Legion

53. Paso Robles Children's Museum

54. Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association

55. Paso Robles FFA

56. Paso Robles Model A Ford Club

57. Paso Robles Police Department

58. Paso Robles Public School District (High Schools, Jr. High and Elementary)

59. Paso Robles Youth Baseball

60. Pioneer Games

61. Pleasant Valley School

62. Plymouth

Congregational Church

63. Queen's Carriage

64. Richardson Sotheby's International Realty

65. Robert and Melissa Shaver

66. RPSLO

67. San Luis Ambulance

68. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Posse

69. San Miguel Firefighters Association

70. Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon and Color Guard

71. Soto Gutierrez Family

72. Temecula Carriage Company

73. The Bradley Union School District

74. The Ladies of the Barbary Coast

75. The Paso Food Co-Op

76. The Queen’s Court1957 Chevy Short Bus

77. Third Wheel Tours

78. Trinity Lutheran School & Preschool

79. Vaqueros de la Región

80. Veterans Of Foreign Wars Paso Robles Post 10965

81. Williams Family 1955 F100

82. Wine Country Theatre

paso robles pioneer day

SCHEDULE

7 a.m. | Traditional Bean Cooking Begins

Paso Robles City Park

8 a.m. | Children's Pet Show

14 years and under Paso Robles City Park Gazebo

8:15 a.m. | Little Cowboy / Cowgirl Contest

Paso Robles City Park Gazebo

10 a.m. | Pioneer Day Parade

Starts at 16th & Spring Street

12 Noon | Free Bean Feed

Paso Robles City Park

12 Noon | Carnegie Library & Historical Museum Opens in City Park

12 Noon | Pioneer Park/Museum Activities

2010 Riverside Ave — Antique Tractor & Wagon Display and Vintage Engine Show

1 p.m. | Horseshoe Pitching Contest

Paso Robles City Park

12:30 p.m. | Whiskerino Contest

Paso Robles City Park

1 p.m. | Gymkhana

Paso Robles Event Center

3 p.m. | Pioneer Games

Paso Robles Event Center

TRADITIONS

PARADE

This Pioneer Day Parade is one of the finest anyone will see anywhere! It begins at 16th and Spring streets at 10 a.m. sharp, travels south on Spring Street to 11th Street (in front of the Paso Robles Inn), goes east on 11th Street to Pine Street, then north on Pine Street to 13th Street. Each year, there are approximately 200 entries, highlighted by the royalty, the covered wagon, and the biggest collection of antique wagons, and an impressive collection of antique tractors, harvesters, automobiles, horsedrawn carriages, floats, marching bands, military vehicles, and entries from equine groups, schools, and various organizations. It is fun for the entire family. Bring your favorite lawn chairs, hats, and sunscreen, and plan on a memorable experience.

CONESTOGA WAGON

The old covered wagon, a symbol of Pioneer Day, was put through many a year of hard service before it was retired to the comparative calm of Paso Robles summers and winters. It was staunchly built back in 1862 of well-seasoned oak, maple, and walnut. Its bed is 16-feet-long; its huge steel-rimmed wheels turn around wooden axles. The wheels were 6-feet in diameter originally, with wheel hubs 20-inches-across. The old museum piece was used as a freighter running over Donner Pass from San Francisco to the Nevada goldfields for many years.

It was brought to Lockwood in 1882 by William Nance, who used it in regular overland freight service for 15 years. The Patterson family purchased the wagon in 1897, who used it for freighting, and in later years to haul grain. The Pattersons loaned the wagon to the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee from 1931 until approximately 1938, when it was purchased by the committee as a permanent relic.

HOOSEGOW

Operating the hoosegow in the Paso Robles Pioneer Day parade was a lot more fun in the old days when any man along the parade route that wasn’t sporting a beard or mustache could be thrown in the old-fashioned, horse-

drawn jail, transported to the Downtown City Park and unceremoniously dunked in the water trough if their friends didn’t make bail for them. While the wild tradition has been tamed, the hoosegow remains an important part of Pioneer Day celebrations, having become a tradition in itself.

Organizers said it has been a part of the parade for “at least 50 years.” The only modern concession is that it’s no longer horse drawn — it now has rubber tires, and organizers pull it with a jeep. Buttons to support Pioneer Day are sold in restaurants, the Paso Robles Main Street Association office, and the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce. If you’re not wearing one on the day of the parade, you might find yourself offered a free ride in the hoosegow. Wear a pin ... or end up in the hoosegow!

CONTESTS

Kicking off the Pioneer Day morning is the Littlest Cowboy and Cowgirl contest. Children six and under compete for honor as the best dressed (and cutest) cowboy, cowgirl, or pioneer. The contest starts at 8 a.m. at the Paso Robles City Park gazebo.

Later, the gentleman can meet at the Carnegie Library in the park for the Wiskerino Contest. Following the parade at 12:30 p.m., men can gather at the library to compete for the most unique, best mustache, fullest mustache, or best overall mustache.

PIONEER MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

Pioneer Day is about honoring Paso Roblan's history, and the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum is the best way to relive all of it.

The Pioneer Museum begins welcoming visitors at Noon on Saturday. Everyone is welcome to walk through time and visit the museum's exhibits or enjoy the plenty of other activities happening outside.

Enjoy music, watch wool spinning and wheat weaving, listen to small gasoline engines or practice your cowboy skills. See up close the antique tractors that had just strolled down Spring Street in the parade.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 2010 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles.

Remembering Paso Robles' First Pioneer Day

On the brisk morning of October 12, 1931, the town of Paso Robles opened its arms in a warm embrace, welcoming not just its own residents, but all who wished to join in the festivities of the inaugural Pioneer Day celebration.

With great anticipation, citizens from surrounding towns and countryside converged on Paso Robles to pay homage to the pioneers whose determined spirit had shaped the town’s very existence. As Paso Robles Press declared on October 6, 1931, this celebration was dedicated to those who “blazed the trail” and carved a path through hardships to create the modern town of Paso Robles.

The brainchild of Reverend Charles L. Thackeray, known affectionately as “The Dean,” Pioneer Day was conceived during the throes of the Great Depression. Thac keray, while on vacation, realized the need for greater understanding between urban and rural communities. His vision was rooted in acknowledging the vital contribution of those on ranches and farms to the city’s prosperity. Hence, the idea to hold a grand celebration that would bridge this gap and foster unity was born. Thackeray’s passion for this project was palpable when he shared his idea with a small group at St. James Episcopal Church on May 28, 1931.

Thackeray’s proposal found resonance among various organizations and community pillars. Churches, service clubs, the Woman’s Club, Fire Department, PTA, Farm Bureaus, Chamber of Commerce, and the Business & Professional Women’s Club all rallied behind the idea, setting the stage for a collaborative

contests, and even dancing, creating a vibrant tapestry of festivities.

The day arrived with much fanfare and excitement. The parade, a highlight of the Pioneer Day celebrations, showcased five units representing different periods of pioneer history. As thousands lined the streets, the procession wound its way through the town, offering a visual narrative of Paso Robles’ evolution. Sam Eddy led the parade as the first Pioneer Day Marshal, embodying the pioneering spirit.

and inclusive event.

The meetings leading up to Pioneer Day were marked by discussions and decisions and “Pioneer Day” was born. This name captured the essence of the celebration, paying tribute to those who had laid the groundwork for the town’s growth. Various event chairs were appointed, and plans began to take shape. The celebration would include a parade, games,

The heart of Pioneer Day beat vibrantly in Paso Robles City Park, where families gathered for a joyous picnic. Adults were treated to complimentary coffee, while children enjoyed free milk. A belle contest, initiated with a ten-cent-per-vote system, crowned Ann Casper as the Belle of Pioneer Day. Her attendants, Hazel Ernst, Bee Glass, Elizabeth Hibbard, and Olive Street, stood alongside her.

Thackeray’s vision and leadership steered the Pioneer Day celebrations for four successful years until his passing in 1935. Even then, the celebration honored his memory. As the years have rolled on, the legacy of that first Pioneer Day remains embedded in Paso Robles’ identity.

Diamond Lil & the Barbary Coast Girls

keep the spirit sparkling at Pioneer Day

When the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Parade rolls down Spring Street this October, all eyes will be on one of the event’s most beloved and flamboyant traditions: Diamond Lil and the Girls of the Barbary Coast.

With feathers, rhinestones, and flair in abundance, these ladies have been bringing a touch of theatrical charm to Pioneer Day since 1961 — and this year promises nothing less.

The 2025 Barbary Coast Girls — Madame Foxy Finley, Miss de Muir, True Blue Trish, Ravashing Rebecca, Sweet Charity, and Fancy Flory — are ready to dazzle the crowds. Their playful stage names are just the beginning; the real magic is in the gowns, boas, and larger-than-life personalities that light up Paso Robles every fall.

The story of the Barbary Coast Girls began one evening at Busi’s, a favorite Pine Street hangout in 1961. Friends Ellen Goodell, Tully Kirby, and Norma Moye wondered how they could add some lighthearted fun to Pioneer Day. Their idea? Bring dance hall girls — complete with can-can costumes — into the parade.

With friends Betty Luke Williams, Nella Lipinsky, and Lydia Wolf, they stitched together their own gowns and made their first appearance riding in a surrey with the fringe on top. Paso Robles had never seen anything like it.

The following year, a generous donation from Joseph Moore of San Francisco cemented the group’s presence. He gifted the Pioneer Day Committee a Tally Ho wagon with the stipulation

that it always carry the Barbary Coast Girls. That very wagon still rolls today, carrying the latest generation of these colorful women through the streets of Paso Robles.

Over the decades, the group grew, welcoming new members such as Anna Boaz, Carole Heilmann, Lois Barnes, and many others. Their costumes became even more extravagant — heavy rhinestone-encrusted dresses, tulle, feathers, and headdresses worthy of the stage. Each ensemble was paired with fishnet stockings, gloves, and shoes that often bordered on outrageous. The overall effect was dazzling, campy, and irresistibly fun.

The Barbary Coast Girls didn’t confine their sparkle to Paso Robles. They appeared in parades across the Central Coast, from Santa Barbara’s Fiesta Days to Pismo Beach’s Clam Festival, bringing home awards including multiple Grand Sweepstakes titles in the 1960s.

Of course, every wagon needed a steady hand at the reins. That role belonged to the “Diamond Jims” — a small group of gentlemen drivers including Henry Tully, the very first, and later Tom Parks, Tom Cameron, Ken Johnson, and Dud Taylor. Their job: to keep the horses calm while the ladies laughed, waved, and played to the crowd.

More than six decades later, the Barbary Coast Girls are still a highlight of Pioneer Day. While the names and faces have changed, the tradition remains the same: to add sparkle, humor, and a hint of mischief to a community celebration rooted in history.

95th Annual

BEAN FEED

This October marks 95 years of families gathering at City Park on the second Saturday to enjoy the Pioneer Day Parade and savor a steaming serving of beans. The tradition began with the event’s original motto, “leave your pocketbooks behind,” offering the community free food, entertainment, and camaraderie. Central to this celebration has always been the iconic Bean Feed, a community gathering that warms both bellies and hearts.

For over 85 years, the Paso Robles Lions Club has been a constant presence behind the scenes, volunteering to ensure the Bean Feed runs smoothly. Since its incorporation in 1939, the club has contributed to Pioneer Day and the broader Paso Robles community through a variety of civic projects. These include constructing the original horseshoe and barbecue pits in City Park, installing handmade street signs, maintaining street lights, and erecting the flagpole at War Memorial Stadium. Over the decades, the club has quietly poured its efforts into the community, often unnoticed by the public.

On Pioneer Day, nearly 30 Lions Club members arrive early to begin cooking the beans. The process starts around 6 a.m., with water filling the pots and beans slowly simmering throughout the morning. By mid-morning, the aroma of meat, vegetables, and beans fills downtown Paso Robles. Ten large pots are typically prepared to feed the crowds, and by noon, the beans are ready for everyone as the parade concludes. This event remains one of the town’s most cherished traditions, providing a tangible connection between past and present generations.

The Bean Feed continues under the leadership of David Kudija with assistance from Lions Club members, youth volunteers, and firefighters. The event’s ongoing success is supported by a dedicated mix of seasoned volunteers and young community members, ensuring that the tradition will continue for years to come.

The Paso Robles Lions Club is encouraging community members to get involved with the annual Pioneer Day Bean Feed. Volunteers are needed from 6 a.m. to noon to help stir and serve the beans, and participation can

also introduce residents to the Lions Club’s broader mission. Chartered in 1939, the club has a long history of service in Paso Robles, from supporting local to youth to ensuring community traditions live on.

Beyond Pioneer Day, the Lions are working to double their membership by 2026 and plan to host an “Adult Prom” fundraiser next April, with all proceeds supporting scholarships, student awards, and other community initiatives. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the club can contact the Lions via email at calvinlthompson3@gmail.com or pasorobleslionsclub1939@gmail.com, by call or text at (805) 975-9640, or visit pasorobleslionsclub.org

This year, the 95th Annual Bean Feed will be served at 12 p.m. on Pioneer Day, October 11, in City Park across from the Clock Tower on 12th Street. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a plate of beans while honoring the volunteers who have preserved this cherished Paso Robles tradition for nearly a century.

to all of our wonderful thank you

Parkside Real Estate

MOUNTAIN SPRINGS OLIVE OIL RANCH

777 Auction

Ada’s Vineyard LLC

Adelaide Inn

All About Events

All American Drilling

Alliance Board Co.

Anchor Real Estate

Ancient Peaks Winery

Apex Fire Control

Associated Traffic Safety

Bella Jule

Best Restoration

Best Western Plus Black Oak

Bragg Crane

Black Oak Best Western

Blake’s Inc

Borjon Auto Center

Bridge Sportsmen’s Center

Brown-Silva Trucking

Brush Family BBQ

Bryan Butler Insurance Agency

Bryce & Kristie Dilger

Cagliero Ranches Inc

Caliber Accounting & Tax

California Coast Beer Co.

California Standoff Inc.

Carrollo Automotive

Carson & Karen Wiley

Cal Coast Machinery

Cal Portland

Central Coast Equipment Repair

Central Coast Irrigation & Supply

Central Coast Propane

Central Coast Trailers

Central Coast Trail Rides

Chris Iversen, Atty at Law

Coast Counties Peterbuilt

Coast Pipe

Coastal Tractor

Coblentz-Biehle & Cramer CPA - Keith Cramer

Covell Clydsdale Ranch

Cowgirl Café

Creekside Veterinary Hospital

Creston Valley Meats

Cuesta Springs Ice Company

Del Pueblo Furntiure

Derby Wine Estates

Dr. John and Sally Davis

Drapes by Kim

Dwight Peterson

Eagle Door & Hardware

Entrada de Paso Robles

Farm Supply

Filipponi & Thompson Drilling Inc

Floral Parlor

Food 4 Less

Fuller Fabricating

Gabriel Architects

Georgene Barlogio

Grant Marcum DDS

Guyomar Winery

Hank’s Welding Service

Harrod Homes

Homestead Apartments

Harvey’s Honey Huts

Howard Products

Independent Propane Service

Jack’s Bar & Grill

Jeffery Kahler DDS

Jayde – Andrea Phillips

Jayne Orcutt & Edward Casper

JB Dewar

J. Dusi Wines

Jim Irving

Joe Romanini

John Jamrog

J. Smith Painting

Just Baked

K Brush Concrete Inc

Katherine Barnett

community sponsors

Paso Robles Rotary Club

City of Paso Robles

Paso Robles Police & Emergency Svcs.

Paso Robles Community

Volunteer Police Patrol

Estrella Warbirds Museum

Paso Robles Event Center

California Conservation Corps

pioneer day officers and committee chairmen

Chairman: Lori Woods

Vice Chairman: Sarah Kramer

Recording Secretary: Shan Tucker McCornack

Corresponding Secretary: Jill Smith

Treasurer: Fran Tognazzini

Parade Entries: Kelli Johnson

Horse/Wagon Entries: Wade Taylor

Parade Marshal Candidates: Mark Perry & Wade Taylor

Red Scooter Deli

ReMax Parkside

ReMax Success

Rental Depot

Restoration Services

R.J. Potter Construction

Robert Vaz Trucking

Roden Farms - Billy & Karen Roden

Roger Miller

San Luis Ambulance

Santa Margarita Ranch/The Rossi Foundation

Sarah Kramer

Savage Spirits

Shan McCormack

Sharon Roden

Sign Here

Spring Street Auto

Steve Gregory

TAPS Truck & Auto Accessories

Tanner Dye Livestock

Templeton Twerps & Rocky Heber

Terry Minshull

The Blueprinters & Graphics

The Full Belly Deli

The Richard & Joan Morgantini Family

Third Wheel Tours

Tony Domingos Farming Inc.

Trailer Barn

Tom Flynn & Sons Landscape

United Rentals

Vessel Day Spa

Vineyard Professional Services

Walmart Paso Robles

Weber Nelson Real Estate

Western Janitor Supply

Weyrick Companies

Woodland Auto Display

Woods Family Pest

Zio Branch Meats & Sausages

Parade Queen Candidates: Karen Roden & Debbie Vandergon

Belle and Attendant Candidates: Jill Smith & Gelene Dodd-Coehlo

Kick-off Party: Tara Tedeschi

Publicity Director: Karli Twisselman

Gymkhana: Nicole Mitchell

Paso Robles Event Center Horse Stalls & Bedding: Wade Taylor & Shan McCornack

Tractor Entries: Austin Sligh

Political Entry Questions: Lori Woods

Pioneer Day Games: Jon Fuller

Additional Board Members:

Margaret Wicks, Mark Perry, Steve Hansen, Justin Brush, Robby Boneso, Tami (Bertoni) Smith, Scott Reneau, Emily Brush , Zach Taylor, Les Stemper and Andy Brown

Emeritus Board Members:

Maggie Vandergon, Norma Moye, Dottie Reiff, Bob Tullock, Paul Viborg & Tom Madden

Lorraine Jespersen Cagliero QueenPioneer Day

This year, Lorraine Jespersen Cagliero takes center stage as Paso Robles Pioneer Day’s 95th Queen, carrying forward a legacy that stretches back to the late 1800s. Her story is one of ranching roots, civic service, and a deep love for family and community.

When Lorraine learned of her new royal title, she told Magazine, "I was overwhelmed. There’s so many people [who deserve this].”

Lorraine was born in 1943 on the Kentucky Ranch west of Templeton, now known as Thatcher Winery. Her ancestry is steeped in Paso Robles pioneer history. Her great-grandfather, Christen Iversen, immigrated from Denmark in 1882 and homesteaded 160 acres in the Union District. From there, the family’s journey took them along the Estrella River on Shandon Highway, where they ran a thriving feed yard with 200 horses and eventually landed near San Miguel.

Lorraine, proud of her family’s steadfast dedication to agriculture, shared, “For generations our family has been in farming.”

Christen later married Anna Christensen, and together they had Lorraine’s grandmother, Jennie Iversen, who would go on to marry Chris Jespersen. Chris’s family also traced its roots to Denmark; he was a descendant of Christen Jespersen, an immigrant who homesteaded in the Union District in 1863. In 1965, Jennie served as the Pioneer Day Queen.

the 1940 Pioneer Day Parade Belle. Ruby, born in Templeton in 1922, had been a 4-H all-star, attended Oakdale School, and graduated from Templeton High School. Together, Lawrence and Ruby, along with the Jespersen family, established the Kentucky Ranch in Templeton in 1943.

In 1945, the family moved to Los Osos, where they operated a grade B dairy, and Lorraine attended the one-room Los Osos Valley School with just 16 students until the fourth grade. The Jespersens returned to Paso Robles in 1954, purchasing a ranch on North River Road to farm alfalfa hay and sugar beets—the very land where Lorraine’s son Jon and his wife now farm wine grapes and pistachios. Lorraine continued her education at San Miguel Grammar School and graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1961, serving as a student body officer for three years and participating in the American Legion Auxiliary California leadership program, Girls State.

“We think we grew up in the best time. Nobody worried about designer clothes ... everybody was just hard working ... and it was a good life,” Lorraine says, looking back fondly on her childhood.

Chris Jespersen went on to serve as a state assemblyman and then as state senator for San Luis Obispo County, leaving a lasting mark on the community by helping secure property for Camp Roberts, Paso Robles Boys School, Atascadero State Hospital, Camp San Luis, and the Paso Robles Airport. Senator Jespersen also fought to preserve California State Polytechnic (Cal Poly), ensuring the university’s growth into the institution it is today, and championed a school for children with cerebral palsy, which now bears his name.

Lorraine’s father, Lawrence Jespersen, was born in 1915 as the eldest of Chris and Jennie Iversen Jespersen’s five children. He graduated from Paso Robles High School and later earned a degree in Poultry Science from Cal Poly. In 1941, he married Ruby Lapp Luther, a fellow descendant of pioneering families in the area and

High school also brought young love. Pete Cagliero, her neighbor, would become her husband, business partner, and lifelong companion. Together, they farmed the North River Road Ranch and eventually acquired the Jespersen Ranch, expanding their operations to include cattle, hay, grapes, and pistachios. They raised three children—Dena, Jon, and Phillip— instilling in them the same values of hard work, family, and community that defined Lorraine’s own upbringing.

Beyond the ranch, Lorraine has been a pillar of her community. She has served on the boards of the Cuesta College Foundation and French Hospital Medical Center Foundation, contributed to the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society, and supported Mission San Miguel projects. Her dedication to agriculture and ranching was recognized in 2015 when she was named Cattle Woman of the Year.

Even after Pete’s passing in 2004, Lorraine has maintained a vibrant life, balancing travel, entertaining, and ongoing community involvement. Yet, her greatest treasures remain her family—five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren—and the enduring connections to the Paso Robles community that have defined her life.

As the 95th Pioneer Day Queen, Lorraine Jespersen Cagliero embodies the heart of Paso Robles: a love for family, a devotion to community, and a deep respect for the pioneers who came before. Her story is a living bridge between the past and the present, reminding us that the spirit of Paso Robles is carried not just in its land, but in its people.

You can learn more about the Pioneer Day Royalty at pasoroblespioneerday.org/royalty

past queens

1997...... Laura Rist

Jennie Jesperson

Cammack

Bertha Dittemore

Anna Baker

Rebecca McAdams

Julia Brainard

Theresa Daniels

Anna Willis

Alida Nyberg

Emma Rude

Lucy Brown

No Parade

Grace Heaton

Nora and Zora Truesdale

Ida Twisselman

Ida Stahl

Carrie Blake

Marie Sinclair

Kate Swayze

Elise Loose

Velma Dayton Robertson

1998 ..... Audrey Murray

1999 ..... Eleanor Schlegel

2000 Myrtle Boatman

2001 ..... Alta Claassen

2002 Carol Tucker

2003 .... Audrey Cary

2004 Isabel Bermingham 2005 .... Alberta Stone Lewis 2006 Gladys Craspay

2007 .... Beverly Lyle Tornquist

2008 .... Eleanor Heaton Sachs

2009 .... Maggie Vandergon 2010 ..... Carol Root Smeltzer

2011 Barbara Bethel Lewin

Lilian Wreden

Betty Olden

Eleanor Still

Elsie Hawkins

Thelma Jardine

..... Alta Dooth

..... Dolly Barba Bader

Margaret Dyck

Ione MacLean Bowman

..... Irene Leisy Hege

Beth Pfister Lamas

..... Irene Fieguth

Marian Claassen

..... Lois Smith

Agnes Anderson

..... Margaret Gates

..... Aila D. Alley-Beardsley

..... Dorothy Wolf Kleck

2012 ..... Joan Finley Crother

2013 Norma Della Moye

2014 ..... Dottie Reiff

2015 Mary Mastagni

2016 ..... June Bertoni

2017 ..... Ellen Mae (Hansen) Schroeder

2018 ..... JoAnn Switzer 2019 Milene Barlogio

2020 .... No Parade

2021 Irene Marquart

2022 .... Beverly (Jespersen) Steinbeck

2023 .... Margaret (Craspay) Avila

2024 Bonnie Lee Cary Thorndyke

Gary Tucker

PMarshal ioneer Day

Paso Robles celebrates the 95th Annual Pioneer Day with Gary Davies Tucker as Grand Marshal, honoring a family whose roots run deep in North County. Born at Atascadero Hospital on September 25, 1941, Gary is the son of Eldon and Nathalie (Davies) Tucker. His lineage stretches back to England and Scotland, with ancestors on both sides of the Civil War. His parents were children of pioneers from the Cholame and Shandon areas, and the Tucker family has remained firmly planted in SLO County through multiple generations.

When asked about his reaction to being named Pioneer Day Marshal, Gary says, “There’s a lot of older people who have been around here longer than me. [Though] I’ve been here my whole life.”

Gary’s connection to Pioneer Day is personal and enduring. Both his grandfather and uncle served as Pioneer Day marshals, and his granddaughter, Payton Tucker, was a Belle. Professionally, Gary carved his mark on the community as a general contractor, building hundreds of homes, commercial buildings, and banks. He also developed multiple housing projects in Templeton on the land that once held the Templeton Livestock Market. Gary and his wife Kathy later ran several residential care facilities until their retirement two years ago. Today, they reside in Paso Robles, where Gary continues to raise cattle on a Shandon ranch alongside his son Ken, while his other son, William, continues the family tradition as a builder and developer.

The Tucker family story begins with Welsey Tucker Sr., a Kansas native who refused to fight against his brothers in the Civil War. After a yearlong journey to California in 1875, Welsey and his wife, Missouri Ann endured frozen rivers, narrow roads, and frontier hardships to establish a life in the Shandon and Creston areas. Their son Fred later built and attended the Creston School, which now resides at the Pioneer Museum in Paso Robles. Fred and his wife Edna raised a large family, including Eldon, Gary’s father, instilling a love of horses, ranching, and hard work that remains alive in the Tucker descendants today.

wouldn’t know how and wouldn’t have the ambition to do it, and those people just did it.”

On the Davies side, Gary’s ancestry can be traced to Major General Horatio Nelson Davies, who, along with his wife, left India at the urging of his wife after unrest claimed the life of one of their sons. Their children were educated in England before the family eventually emigrated to America. They first settled in Texas but later made their way to California, putting down roots in the Cholame Valley. Horatio Nelson Davies was said to be descended from Catherine, sister of famed English sea captain Lord Horatio Nelson.

Horatio’s son, Henry Holmes Davies, carried the family forward in California, where his descendants continued ranching and agricultural work. Henry’s son, Kenneth Davies, became a key figure in the family’s ranching legacy. He married Lilah Word, who grew up on a nearby ranch in the Cholame area. Lilah’s family also had deep pioneer ties — her father, Judge George Word, was both a circuit judge and a blacksmith, operating a bar and shop along what is now Highway 46 near Cholame.

Lilah married Kenneth when she was just 16 years old, stepping into the demanding life of a ranch wife in the early 20th century. With no electricity and only the most basic amenities, she was responsible for growing food and preparing three meals a day for as many as 20 ranch hands during harvest season. Family stories tell of Lilah relying on help from other local women to feed the crews, her days filled with endless labor while raising children in the rugged, isolated ranching community.

“They were just hard workers,” Gary says of his family who came before him. “Today, people don’t work that hard. They don’t know what it’s like.”

Through both Tucker and Davies lines, Gary’s family history is a tapestry of perseverance, innovation, and community service. Across six generations on the Tucker side and seven on the Davies side, the family has built homes, raised livestock, and contributed to the development of the region. Gary’s life reflects this legacy, from ranch work and military service in France to construction and community leadership in Paso Robles.

Gary cherishes a book that Fred Tucker wrote chronicalling their travels to California by wagon train, “It’s really interesting ... and that’s fun to read because my grandparents talked about those families that were here 100 years ago ... how did they do it? ... If you asked today’s kids to do something like that, when they

Today, the Tucker family continues to thrive in North County, with sons William and Ken and grandchildren Payton, Logan, Grant, and Ben carrying on the family traditions of hard work, service, and dedication to their community. As Grand Marshal, Gary Tucker represents not only his family but the enduring pioneer spirit that has shaped Paso Robles for over a century.

You can learn more about the Pioneer Day Royalty at pasoroblespioneerday.org/royalty

past marshals

1931 Sam Eddy

1932 ..... Walter Brush

1933 Walter Brush

1934 ..... Dan Lewis

1935 Dan Lewis

1936 ..... Henry Ramage

1937...... Victor Ortega

1938 ..... Willis and Hillis Truesdale

1939 ..... John Hardie

1940 Jake Tuley

1941 ...... George Huston

1942 James and Ronald McDonald

1943 No Parade

1944 ..... No Parade

1945 ..... Jake Rector

1946 ..... Jim Lemen

1947...... Joseph Stanley

1948 ..... Frank Halter

1949 ..... Lawrence Barba 1950 R. C. Heaton

1951 ...... Everett Hopper 1952 Bert Morehouse

1953 ..... Louis Wolf 1954 John Tidrow 1955 ..... Fred Blackburn 1956 ..... Ed Dodd

1957...... Robert Work

1958 ..... Jess Wilkinson 1959 Ernest Still 1960 ..... Claude Stockdale 1961 Clyde Taylor

1962 Fred Twisselman

1963 ..... Jack Botts

1964 Ben Claassen

1965 ..... Andrew Iverson

1966 John Bowman 1967 ...... Caryol Stockdale

1968 ..... Don McMillan

1969 ..... George White 1970 ..... Jerry Brush

1971 Jake Martens

1972...... Karl Glass

1973 Wes Wimmer 1974 ...... Leo Stanley 1975 Kenneth Davies 1976 ...... Tom Cameron 1977 ...... Chris Klintworth 1978 ..... Leo Oberg

1979...... Walter Lighti 1980 ..... Brady Palla 1981 ...... Otto Van Horn

1982 Bodie Riewerts 1983 ..... Miles Barlogio 1984 Ed Birmingham 1985 ..... Daniel E. Lewis 1986 Earl M. Newsom 1987 ..... Albert Sauret 1988 ..... William J. Parlet 1989 ..... Louis Bergman 1990 ..... Clarence Sayler 1991 Elmer Morehouse 1992 ..... Elvin Casteel 1993 LeRoy Stewart

1994 Ray Dodd

1995 ..... Gene Bryan

1996 Harrison Wilson

1997...... Clarence Sinclair

1998 Gene Ernst 1999 ..... Bill Gerst

2000 .... Nick Marquart 2001 ..... George Hansen 2002 .... Joe Brown 2003 Dave Rowe 2004 .... Gilbert Davies 2005 Bob Lewis

2006 .... Oliver “Obbie” Terrill

2007 Lester Rougeot

2008 .... Wayne Harris

2009 .... Ray Pesenti, Sr. 2010 ..... Don Keefer

2011 ...... Art Von Dollen

2012 ..... Bruce Tuley

2013 ..... Norm Bridge

2014 Ole Viborg

2015 ..... Calvern Saylor

2016 John Bertoni

2017 ..... Daryl Stinchfield

2018 Bob Tullock

2019 ..... Larry and Tom Moore

2020 .... No Parade

2021 ..... Tom Flynn Sr.

2022 .... Harold Steinbeck

2023 Don Campbell

2024 .... Dick Woodland

Meet the Pioneer Day Belle & her attendants

This year, we celebrate a Belle and her five attendants, each representing a different region of Paso Robles and carrying forward a proud family legacy in the Pioneer Day Parade. Through this tradition, the nominees not only honor their roots but also discover more about the generations who came before them. These nominees come from families whose hard work and service have long shaped Paso Robles. Their stories reflect the spirit of dedication and community that Pioneer Day celebrates.

Don’t miss the chance to see them, along with their families, at the 95th annual Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday, October 11, in downtown Paso Robles.

Belle | Olivia Anderson

Olivia Anderson is proudly representing the York Mountain District of Templeton for this year’s Pioneer Day. While most of her family has traditionally represented El Pomar, Olivia chose York Mountain to honor where her local family story began. Her great-grandmother, Dorelice “Big Nonna” Luzi, was born in Templeton in 1918 and raised in York Mountain, where her father worked the vineyards. After graduating from Templeton High School in 1935, she married Emidio “Nonno” Venturini, who had immigrated from Italy as a child and settled in Templeton during the Great Depression. Together, they built a farm on Almond Drive and raised six children, including Olivia’s grandmother, Debra. From farming roots to proud Pioneer Day traditions, Olivia’s family has been part of the community for generations. Now a

senior at Templeton High, Olivia enjoys cooking family recipes and sewing with her Nonna. She plans to pursue fashion and is excited to be the fourth generation in her family to represent Pioneer Day.

Taylor Gignoux

Taylor Gignoux, a senior at Paso Robles High, is a proud descendant of two long-standing local families: the Allreds and the Pauls. Her great-great-grandparents, John Leslie and Martha Allred, settled in SLO County during the Great Depression, raising 10 children and helping shape the community through ranching, midwifery, and civic involvement. Today, the Allred-Pauls family includes over 500 descendants who remain active in business, law enforcement, and community service across the county. Taylor’s family legacy reflects deep roots and widespread influence in the area, a heritage she proudly represents while pursuing her own path in marine biology and community involvement.

Emma Marquart

Templeton High senior Emma Marquart proudly represents a family rooted in San Luis Obispo County for more than 150 years. On her mother’s side, her great-great-grandparents, Jack and Edith Akers, settled in Lockwood in the 1930s before managing the historic Goodwin Ranch in Pozo — still family-owned today. On her father’s side, Nicholas and Bena Marquart homesteaded in the Josephine area in the 1870s, establishing a ranch still operated by Emma’s family. With ties to past Pioneer Day royalty and

past pioneer belles generations active in 4-H and Farm Bureau, Emma continues her family’s enduring legacy of community and tradition.

Samantha Martinez

Paso Robles High senior Samantha Martinez is a fifth-generation descendant of two pioneer families, the Roots and the Wolfs, who both settled in the area in the 1880s. Her ancestors helped shape Paso Robles through farming, ranching, real estate, education, and civic involvement, with contributions ranging from agricultural innovation to the Pioneer Museum. Samantha’s grandparents, Russell Root and Mary Wolf, united the two families, carrying on a legacy of community leadership. Today, Samantha is active in varsity volleyball, basketball, and the Bearkitten Preschool Program. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher and is honored to represent the Union District.

Amelia Peterson

Paso Robles High senior Amelia Peterson is the great-granddaughter of Virginia Peterson, the beloved educator and community leader whose legacy still shapes Paso Robles today. Virginia’s lifelong dedication to children and local history earned her numerous honors, including having Virginia Peterson Elementary School named in her honor in 1989. Amelia’s family has carried on that tradition of service through education, history, and civic involvement. Today, Amelia serves as Vice Chairperson of the Paso Robles Youth Commission and volunteers with local nonprofits. She hopes to attend a four-year university and continue inspiring positive change, proudly following in her great-grandmother’s footsteps.

Jaklyn Woodland

Paso Robles High senior Jaklyn Woodland is a fifthgeneration Roblan with deep Pioneer Day roots. Her great-great-grandmother, Jennie Orton, settled in Paso Robles in 1922, and her great-grandfather Frederick Woodland later arrived during the Depression, eventually opening a service station downtown. The Woodland family became intertwined with other pioneer families, including the Viborgs and Stempers, while continuing traditions of farming, racing, and community service. Jaklyn’s grandfather, Richard Woodland Sr., served as Pioneer Day Marshal in 2024, carrying on that legacy. Born in North Carolina but raised in Paso Robles, Jaklyn loves dance and feels honored to represent her family’s history.

You can learn more about the Pioneer Day Belle and her attendants at pasoroblespioneerday.org/ royalty

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

Ann Casper Jordan

Olive Cammack Pool

Louise Lund Paulsen

Beverly Sharp Oster

Hazel Kuhnle Arnold

Rose Ramage Troller

Beverly Duncan Tucker

Marilyn Tucker Dauth

Mary Smith Center

1940 Ruby Luther Jesperson

1941 Deloma Bland Kuofos

1942 Lucille Erickson Rader

1943 No Parade

1944 No Parade

1945

Betty Twisselman

Bowman

1946 Eileen Erickson

Engleman

1947 Mary Rominger Kelly

1948 Selah Arends Lindberg and Sharon Arends Daniels

1949 Vivian Davis Blake

1950 Nila Taylor McCornack

1951 Johnita Work Fisher

1952

Gloria Stockdale Mandella

1953 Patricia Cooper Twisselman

1954 Bonnie White Wren

1955 Velma Licthi Thimm and Velma Lichti Steen

1956 Barbara McMillan

Smith

1957 Beverly Jesperson Stienbeck

1958 Caroline Cooper Bello

1959 Lynette Pond Shaw

1960 Jerry Akers Stinchfield

1961

Susan Brown Swank

1962 Darlene Craspay Lloyd

1963 Kay Ellen Peterson

Martinelli

1964 Peggy Martin Knight

1965 Kathy Bergman Drake

1966 Dorothy Anderson

Seymour

1967 Charlene Burden Hibrard

1968 Nancy Root Ryan

1969 Rita Gates Beckett

1970 Claudia Arnold Russell and Kathy Arnold Loftus

1971 Evelyn Schroder Bailey

1972 Lisa Milburn Law

1973 Ann Von Dollen Jordan

1974 Mary Ruth Manry

1975 Cindy Twisselman

Switzer

1976 Rebecca Iverson

1977 Belinda Martin Rodel

1978 Debbie Lauridsen

1979 Maureen Johnson

1980 Susan Rowlett

1981

Dana Thorndyke

1982 Kim Bergman

1983 Susan Silva

1984 Stephanie Edrington

1985 Marie Wood

1986 Carrissa Wreden

1987 Amy Hoffman

1988 Susan Lynn Hurl

1989 Cheri Eastwood

1990 Tawnya Stemper

1991 Lori Hodel

1992 Audra Davis

1993 Lisa Van Horn

1994 Sheri Bermingham

1995 Rosalie Root and Carim

Ryan

1996 Lisa Abramson

1997 Vickie Palm

1998 Melissa Dyck

1999 Lynda Heaton

2000 Karin Loftus, Kelsey Mosby, and Morgan Taylor

2001 Jessica Barba

2002 Sandy Martin

2003 Christina Roden

2004 Kortney Kasfeldt

2005 Kayla Roth

2006 Hannah Hutchings

2007 Hattie Robertson

2008 Haley Jackson

2009 Nicole Sonne

2010 Michela Marie Cagliero

2011 Mackenzie Lynn Erb

2012 Mattie Work

2013 Madison Rae Heely

2014 Abigail Marie Venturini

2015 Mary Elizabeth Hambly

2016 Marina Corrine Smeltzer

2017 Riley Rae Coelho

2018 Jewel Anthony

2019 Becca Stroud

2020 Jenna Smith

2021 Isabelle Stemper

2022 Jenna Wilshusen

2023 Kayla Degnan

2024 Reese Jaureguy

Paso Robles Pioneer Royalty Dinner

The Estrella Warbirds Museum hosted the annual Pioneer Royalty Dinner on Sunday, August 17, introducing the 95th Pioneer Day Queen, Marshal, and Belle while celebrating Paso Robles’ enduring family and community traditions. The dinner provided an intimate setting for guests to learn about the Royalty’s backgrounds and contributions to the region.

Olivia Anderson of York Mountain was crowned this year’s Belle, representing her multi-generational Venturini and Lindberg families alongside five attendants from across North County. Olivia continues a family legacy of Pioneer Day participation that spans four generations and enjoys cooking, sewing, and hopes to pursue a career in fashion.

Queen Lorraine Jespersen Cagliero, born in 1943, hails from long-standing pioneer families in Union and Willow Creek. Her life has been marked by ranching, farming, community service, and leadership roles in local foundations and historical societies. Serving as the 95th Marshal, Gary Davies Tucker, a Shandon native, represents the Davies and Tucker pioneer families. He has built a career as a general contractor, managed residential care facilities, and continues ranching with his family. The dinner, catered by the San Miguel Lions Club, allowed attendees to share stories of migration, farming, and resilience, reflecting on nearly a century of community heritage.

San Miguel Lions Club Old Timers BBQ

The San Miguel Lions Club Old Timers BBQ, held on Sunday, August 24, continues a long-standing tradition of celebrating local history and honoring senior community members. Hosted by the San Miguel Lions Club, the annual event has been part of Paso Robles Pioneer Day festivities for decades. The Lions Club, founded in 1949, has worked closely with the Pioneer Day Committee to preserve these traditions, providing free meals to residents aged 80 and older as a way of giving back.

This year, the BBQ faced additional challenges as several Lions members were assisting with the Gifford Fire, prompting friends and neighbors to volunteer and keep the event alive. Attendees enjoyed a hearty meal while mingling with Pioneer Day Royalty, including Queen Lorraine Cagliero. The event honored seniors such as Don Smith, the oldest gentleman present, and Joy King, the oldest woman. The Old Timers BBQ is part of the larger Pioneer Day celebration, now in its 95th year, which highlights Paso Robles’ agricultural heritage. The BBQ remains a cherished tradition that connects past, present, and future generations.

Pioneer Day Kick Off Party

Paso Robles officially began its countdown to the 95th annual Pioneer Day Parade with the Pioneer Day Kick Off Party on Saturday, September 27, at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. The sold-out evening brought the community together for food, entertainment, and fundraising to support one of the city’s most cherished traditions. Guests were treated to a lively program starting with cocktail hour and the always-popular dessert auction, where everything from homemade treats to elaborate cakes were bid on to raise additional funds. A barbecue dinner followed, setting the stage for a night of celebration. DJ Andy Morris kept the dance floor full while casino games and cocktails gave attendees more ways to enjoy the evening.

Another highlight was the return of the photo booth, complete with whimsical hats and props, offering families and friends a fun way to capture the night. The event also served as an important fundraiser, helping cover the costs of Pioneer Day, including parade logistics, publicity, and the beloved free bean feed. Proceeds also contribute to the upkeep of historic tractors and wagons showcased during the celebration.

All

current articles were written by or with the assistance of Camille DeVaul of Paso Robles Press, and all new images were taken by Derek Luff for Paso Robles Press.

& Q u e e n

Lorraine Jespersen Cagliero

Gary Davies Tucker