The many achievements and accomplishments of the pioneer Nelson family and descendants have long been heralded.

Now members of that family will punctuate their legacy in Skagit County by speaking at the 118th annual Pioneer Picnic on Aug. 4 at Pioneer Park.

Speakers include the five grandchildren of Emil and Anna Dalan Nelson.

Reggie Nelson, who has helped preserve several generations of the family’s history, will describe its Norwegian and Danish roots and recount how Emil and Anna Dalan Nelson met and were wed in Burlington in 1910.

He will be followed by Roger Nelson and Jerry Nelson presenting the family’s history in Skagit agriculture, with an emphasis on the contributions by Floyd and Norman Nelson.

Greg Nelson and Debbie Mitchell Bloodgood will address the farming career of Virgil Nelson and of the daughters of Emil and Anna Nelson and other family members.

“The stories of Vida Nelson Evans, Esther Nelson Bressler and Donna Nelson Mitchell will be included,” Reggie Nelson said.

Four longstanding Skagit County organizations – the Harmony Birthday Club, Territorial Daughters of Washington Chapter Two, the Edison Women’s Club and La Conner’s Billiken Club – are recipients of the 2022 Pioneer Spirit Award.

Organized by the Skagit County Pioneer Association, chaired by Liza Peth Bott, the day is a celebration of the Skagit Valley’s unique history.

The festivities begin at 11:15 a.m. with a $20 salmon barbecue luncheon prepared by the “Good Girls” Serving are La Conner Civic Garden Club members.

Your commemorative pioneer ribbon serves as a weekend pass to the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner.

The Leif & Sunnie accordion duo will perform.

Picnic proceeds support the Skagit County Historical Society and the historical museum, located on Fourth Street.