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August's annual Pioneer Picnic has provided a boost to the Skagit County Historical Museum for the year ahead.

The Skagit County Pioneer Association, which for over a century has coordinated the picnic on the first Thursday in August, has contributed $3,000 to the historical museum from proceeds from the picnic.

That represents the association's largest contribution to the museum in a decade and is $2,000 more than the amount donated a year ago.

Former La Conner mayor Bud Moore, the pioneer group's treasurer, presented a $3,000 check to museum director Jo Wolfe during the association's fall meeting at Skagit City School on Fir Island Sept. 9.

A large turnout at the picnic to honor descendants of Emil and Anna Dalan Nelson, the Pioneer Family of the Year, made possible the association's increased financial support of the museum.

"The town is proud to have this picnic," Moore said. "It means a lot to a lot of people that we still recognize that La Conner is the oldest town in Skagit County."

The Nelsons drew in excess of 300 people to the picnic and the pioneer association's business meeting that followed.

"From our point of view," said La Conner Civic Garden Club member Kim Good Rubenstein, "it was a very successful event. We planned for 250 people and served 300.

"It was heartwarming to see the community come together the way it did to celebrate the history of our pioneers," she added. "It was great to have an honored family that truly embraced the event and shared their stories."

Liza Peth Bott, the 2021-22 president, agreed. She praised La Conner High School alum Reggie Nelson for having facilitated his family's participation.

"I think we could all take a lesson from Reg in compiling family histories," she noted.

Prior to presentation of the check to Wolfe, Moore announced he would be stepping down as treasurer after serving for the past decade.

"I better leave while I can still find my way home," Moore, 90, said with his trademark humor. "As you get older, numbers get more difficult. I'll still help out, but we need a new treasurer."

The association has already welcomed a new president. Peggy Stowe will preside between now and the 2023 Pioneer Picnic. She handled the gavel for the meeting.