Pony Express Days is almost here, and McKinleyville is getting ready for one of our favorite community traditions.
This year’s theme is Coastal Roots, Western Boots, and the celebration runs May 28 through June 7, with events happening throughout town. From the Kick Off Mixer and community dance to the Chili Cook-Off, parade, pancake breakfast, and festival at Pierson Park. During Pony Express week you can really feel McKinleyville come to life.
It is fun, yes.
But it is also more than that.
Pony Express Days is about community pride, local businesses, families, volunteers, service clubs, and neighbors all helping create something that feels uniquely McKinleyville.
What Is Pony Express Days?
Pony Express Days has been part of McKinleyville since 1968. Over the years, it has grown and changed, but the heart of it has stayed the same: bringing the community together.
It is a chance to celebrate where we live, support local businesses, enjoy time with friends and family, and be part of a tradition that has meant something to McKinleyville for generations.
Some people come for the parade. Some come for the chili. Some come for the festival. Some just for the feeling of seeing the whole town show up.
That is what makes it special.
What’s Happening This Year
There is a lot planned for Pony Express Days 2026.
The celebration begins with the Kick Off Mixer on Thursday, May 28 at McKinleyville ACE from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is a great way to start the week, connect with local businesses, and build excitement for the events ahead.
The Community Dance will be Saturday, May 29 at Six Rivers Brewery from 7 to 10 p.m. with free entry and an all-ages atmosphere.
The Pie Eating Contest is Wednesday, June 3 at Six Rivers Brewery at 6 p.m.
The Chili Cook-Off will be Thursday, June 4 at Pierson Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with local teams serving up chili for the community to taste.
Then on Saturday, June 6, the day starts with the parade down Central Avenue at 11 a.m., running from Murray Road to School Road. After the parade, the festival continues at Pierson Park from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, kids activities, food trucks, vendors, and pony rides.
How Local Businesses Can Get Involved
Pony Express Days is a great time for local businesses to be visible and part of the excitement.
A few simple ways to participate:
Put up a Pony Express Days poster in your window
Share event posts on social media
Enter the window decorating contest
Bring a raffle prize to the Kick Off Mixer
Enter the parade
Encourage your customers to attend events
Sponsor, volunteer, or help spread the word
You do not have to do something huge to be part of it. Even a poster in the window or a shared post helps build the energy around town.
This year’s window decorating theme is Coastal Roots, Western Boots, and it is a fun way for businesses to help bring the celebration into storefronts and public spaces.
How Residents Can Join the Fun
If you live in McKinleyville, this is a great week to show up and enjoy your community.
Invite a friend to the Kick Off Mixer. Bring the family to the Chili Cook-Off. Cheer from the parade route. Grab lunch from a food truck. Walk through the festival. Support the vendors. Take photos. Say hello to someone you know. Bring someone who has never been before.
These are the simple things that make community traditions feel alive.
Why It Matters
Events like Pony Express Days do not just happen casually.
They happen because businesses sponsor, volunteers and service clubs step up, vendors participate, parade entries get creative, families attend, and the community decides it is worth showing up.
That matters.
In a growing community like McKinleyville, traditions like this help us stay connected. They give people a reason to gather and remember that community is something we build together.
Pony Express Days is fun, but it is also one of the ways McKinleyville tells its story.
And this year, we are excited to continue to add to that story.
Stay Connected
For the full schedule, applications, tickets, volunteer opportunities, and event updates, visit the Pony Express Days page on the McKinleyville Chamber website.
