Arizona state miner., 1927-04-02
P PIONEERS GATHER
FOR REUNION

Days of the long ago will be liv-
ed over again when pioneer men
and women gather for their seventh
annual reunion, April II and 13.
Pages of history will be turned
back to frontier days as the hardy
old times, joined in a great two
day jollification, recount the hard
ships and privations endured in the
struggle to found new empire.
The annual reunion of Arizona
pioneers is more than just a gath
ering of men and women-it is the
recreation of the pioneer stage by
the hundreds of players who figured
SO prominently in developing the
story of the "baby commonwealth. y
It is life again for the trail-blaz-
ers, as they lived it half century
ago. Present day surroundings and
conveniences are lost in the pic
ture of yesteryear that rises so viv-
idly at the celebration.
The spirit of the early eighties
dominates these pioneer gatherings
as the men and women join in a
great family reunion. Home-com-
ings, they are in a sense, for it
seems that the empire builders have
been scattered to all corners of the
state in the march of progress.
The reunion is the friendly We
hicle that opens the way for re-
newal of friendships formed in the
struggle for peace and plenty, such
as confronted most of the pioneers
upon their advent into Arizona.
Again, the reunion more firmly
cements the ties that were formed
upon the frontier-ties that will
ever be firm and fast. Today, as
always, the pioneer men and women
stand united end even the march
of Old Father Time cannot dim the
past.
Two days of entertainment and
fun are provided for the pioneers in
the great annual reunion that at
tracts men and women from the
four corners of Arizona-and not in
frequently from other states, whence
they have drifted in recent years.
and by the pioneers and, in con-
sequence, little time is devoted to
other purposes or persons. Brief
welcoming ceremonies are observed,
merely as a matter of courtesy, and
thereafter the sessions are given
completely into the keeping Of the
pioneers.
Three outstanding features are
arranged for the meeting. The first
of these is the storytelling period,
generally consuming from three to
five hours. Stories of the old Ari-
zona, as the pioneers found it when
they arrived, 35, 40, so and even
so years ago are recounted by the
men and women who actually lived
through the days of hardship.
Next is the barbecue, monster
affair, arranged just as the old
timers arranged their barbecues in
the old days.
Third is the list of special fea-
lures the annual cold time dance"
featuring such popular old numbers
as the Schottische, the Virginia Reel
and the barn dance. Music for the
dance is provided from among the
pioneers themselves, old-time fid-
dlers playing the numbers that had
such tremendous appeal 30 years
ago.
The program this year, as tenta-
lively arranged by the special COM
mittee, will include several innova-
tions. Pioneers themselves are now
being consulted with the idea in
mind of including events that will
have an appeal to the greatest num-
Der.
Phoenix, because of it's central To-
cation, will be host to the pioneers
at the 1927 reunion. The Arizona
Republican is the sponsoring organ
ization this year, as previously.