Town of Burlington celebrates pioneering ancestors

Burlington’s Pioneer Day wrapped up over the weekend. The theme this year was “Rooted and Growing” and included many well-loved and well-attended activities, including class reunions from the classes of 1974, 1995 and 2000.

A cornhole tournament kicked off the celebration. Lee Allen and Matt Thompson took first place, Brian O’Barr and James McNiven second, David Yutzi and Yoder third and Josh and Jayden Wennburg fourth. 

Friday night also featured a pickleball tournament. After more than four hours, Janna and Matt Pedersen won the advanced division and Casey Pedersen and Chris Daley won the intermediate division. 

Saturday started early with the annual Fun Run and Bike Race with 56 runners participating. Robby Lee once again topped the men’s side with a time of 16:23 but Kellen Winters was close behind in second place with a 16:38. Kelli McNiven won the women’s race with a time of 20:36. This year included a one-half mile kids race with 17 runners. 

The parade was well-represented with over 30 entries, including members of the Bates, Davidson, Neves, Christiansen, Aagard families, multiple businesses from Burlington and the local first responders. 

The Pioneer Day program was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with lunch held afterwards in Centennial Park. 

A tug-of-war and a historical presentation from Jerry George about the history of education in the area followed in the afternoon.

Eighteen teams participated in the volleyball 4-on-4 jamboree. Instead of a bracket winner, there were crossover games based on the win/loss records and saw the Loveland, Stolk, Philpott, Neves, Winters, McIntosh, Preator, Bullinger, Wardell, Gormley and Elder’s teams as the highest competitors. 

The weekend concluded with a family dance and another incredible show from Thunder Fireworks.