YOUR AD HERE »

Pioneer Block party continues Independence Day celebration

Allison Plean

— St. Paul’s Episcopal Church gave out more than 720 free hot dogs in 55 minutes at the Pioneer Day Block Party. But as supplies dwindled, the line of hungry people got anxious.

“We count them back when we are down to 100 hot dogs,” church member Jim Curd said. “Their eyes get bigger and bigger when we got closer to them.”

Although the hot dogs ran out, there was no shortage of festivities at the event, with live entertainment provided by the Alpen Brass Ensemble, children’s activities with Yampatika and Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue’s truck and giveaways.



Joe Oakland climbed the 105-foot ladder attached to the truck for practice and public relations.

“We have the new recruits going up there to show people what we do and show what the truck is capable of,” firefighter Dave Roberts said. “We are always training, and it’s good to get up there and get comfortable with heights. It’s a little different feeling, but it’s a good view and workout.”



Grace Buckler, 6, got a chance to look around the fire truck and was given a firefighter’s hat.

“I would like to ride in the fire truck but not climb the ladder,” she said.

Her brother, Joseph, 9, enjoyed the Tread of Pioneers Museum’s “Routt” beer floats.

“The Routt beer float tastes a little different,” he said. “It’s foamier because of the altitude.”

Joseph’s other sister Anne Marie’s favorite part of the block party was taking a picture with executive director of the museum, Candice Lombardo, who was dressed up as a pioneer lady.

“The lady was my favorite because she looks like a princess,” Anne Marie said.

Lombardo dresses up and organizes the block party every year so people can remember pioneers, as well as celebrate Independence Day.

“I had my picture taken more times than I can count,” she said.

The block party also was used this year as an opportunity to present the Steamboat Springs Heritage Award to Jayne Hill.

“The award is presented every two years for someone who provides Steamboat Springs leadership and values the heritage of the Steamboat community,” City Clerk Julie Jordan said. “Jayne Hill signified the perfect recipient of the Heritage Award because of her leadership to the museum and historic preservation. She’s the one who devoted countless hours to the Tread of Pioneers Museum, and she led the mill-levy fund for museum and historical preservation throughout Routt County.”

The presentation of the award ties in with this year’s Fourth of July theme, because it is centered on honoring Steamboat’s hometown heritage. Attending the block party is a yearly tradition for many residents, such as Jan Kaminski.

“Everybody comes every year,” Kaminski said. “Because it’s part of the community, and that’s what it is all about.”

— To reach Allison Plean, call 871-4204

or e-mail aplean@steamboatpilot.com


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.