The 111th annual Routt County Pioneer Picnic will be held June 7 at the Yampa Masonic Hall in Yampa.

The event, which begins with a potluck lunch at 1 p.m., is hosted by the Oak Creek and Phippsburg Historical Society and

Yampa-Egeria Historical Society.

Guests are invited to bring a favorite side dish or a dessert to share, and the main dish and drinks will be provided.

Music will be provided by Belinda Rossi and Gene Sanders, along with a selection by Rose Karow.

The Yampa Museum, adjacent to the picnic location, will be open and a historic tour of Yampa will be offered at 3 p.m., weather permitting.

According to the Hayden Heritage Center, the Pioneer Picnic developed out of the loosely organized early day Fourth of July celebrations where pioneers from all across the county gathered together to enjoy a day of relaxation. The first picnic was held July 7, 1886, in Steamboat Springs when the county boasted 763 residents and extended to the Colorado/Utah border. Throughout the years, the picnic became the social event of the summer.

The Pioneer Association was formed to continue the yearly picnics and record the stories told at them, and, on June 14, 1904, the first official Pioneer Picnic was held in Hayden. The group later changed its name to The Routt-Moffat County Pioneer Association after the county was divided in 1911. Eventually, the association disbanded, and the picnic became what it is today, a loosely organized event put together by local pioneer families and museums rotating throughout the county every two years.

No longer is it exclusive to only the pioneer families, but now the event is open to anyone interested. For more information, call the Tracks & Trails Museum at 970-736-8245 or email tracksandtrailsmuseum@gmail.com.

Food bank seeks personal items now in short supply

LIFT-UP of Routt County is in need of personal items for its food bank. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, dish and laundry soap and razors are currently in short supply. Donations can be dropped off at the LIFT-UP offices, 2125 Curve Court.

Volunteers needed at Steamboat Art Museum

Steamboat Art Museum is looking for volunteers to assist in greeting visitors, assisting in special events or working in the museum’s store.

Shifts are 3 1/2 hours, one day per week Tuesdays through Saturdays during the summer and winter exhibits.

Perks include getting to enjoy the fabulous art exhibits, meeting exhibiting artists at exhibit openings, free admission to all Saturday lectures during exhibit opening and meeting visitors from all across the country and world.

If you are interested in volunteering, call Dottie at 970-870-1755 or email sam@steamboatartmuseum.org.