Behind the Scenes of Pony Express Days: How McKinleyville Pulls It Off

Posted on June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Jesse

Featured Title Image above by Matt Filar

When you think of Pony Express Days, you probably picture the big moments. The parade rolling down Central Avenue. Live music filling Pierson Park. Kids running around with sticky faces. Food vendors cooking. Families setting up lawn chairs. The joyful chaos of the pie-eating contest. That feeling that, for a little while, the whole community steps outside at the same time.

That is exactly what we want people to see.

But behind that picture is a lot of moving pieces, and a lot of people who said yes in different ways to make it happen.

Before the music, food trucks, vendors, and kids activities arrive, the park starts as a blank canvas with a lot of little signs, maps, and decisions.

Why This Takes a Community

Because McKinleyville is an unincorporated community, we do not have a city hall, a municipal budget, or a parks department with a full-time event staff. The Chamber steps into that gap because we are deeply committed to supporting the people who live, work, and play here. But we are a small team with a tight budget and whatever hours our community is willing to give us.

That is what makes Pony Express Days special. It is not just a tradition. It is a community collaboration, rebuilt from scratch every single year.

The Good Old Days vs. Modern Reality

We hear it often: “I miss the old street dances.” “Why isn’t the parade route longer?” “It used to be a whole week of horse events.”

We love that history. We treat it with real respect, which is why we started anchoring each year with a theme: 2025’s “Where Trails Lead to Community” and this year’s “Coastal Roots, Western Boots” being two examples of that effort.

But here is the honest truth: the world of event production today bears almost no resemblance to the 1970s, 80s, or 90s. The things pulled off decades ago with a handshake and a clipboard now require a mountain of compliance.

To shut down Central Avenue or pack Pierson Park, we navigate liability insurance requirements that get stricter every year, months of permits covering public safety and regional health requirements, and a coordinated planning process with multiple public agencies just to handle traffic control and all the details.

When pieces of the festival shift or change, it is not random. It is a deliberate strategy to keep this tradition alive under modern constraints. Every decision is made with the goal of getting to the next year.

From the Mixer to the Main Event

Most people know the Saturday parade and festival, but Pony Express Days is really a full week of community events, planning, preparation, and a little bit of controlled chaos.

The Chamber Mixer kicks things off and sets the tone. Business owners, community leaders, and neighbors all in the same place, catching up and officially launching the celebration. The Friday Night Dance at Six Rivers Brewery worked at bringing something back we had been missing, and it felt like a great step toward rebuilding that energy.

The Pie-Eating Contest, a new tradition in its 2nd year, also hosted at Six Rivers, is pure, messy joy. Watching kids and adults dive face-first into pies with no hands is exactly as hilarious as it sounds. As community member Allison shared on social media, “Such a great turn out, it was fun to watch!”

Partnerships matter. Pony Express Days comes together because people show up, pitch in, and help make it happen.

The Chili Cook-Off brings out friendly competition and a whole lot of strong opinions, while the stick horse race keeps the kids in the action. We received some wonderful feedback on the park layout this year from Patricia , who shared on the community watch facebook page:

“Chili Cook-Off Kudos! To the participants—WOW. From classic to fiery to green, you did a great job and made picking the ‘best’ very difficult. To the organizers—Fantastic job. Having the booths laid out as a perimeter instead of in aisles made it a lot less congested and easy to navigate.”

Before the parade rolls on Saturday morning, the day starts with pancakes at Azalea Hall. The Dow’s Prairie Grange crew fuels the community for the big day ahead, and there is something genuinely special about starting parade day with hot coffee, pancakes, and familiar faces.

Then comes the big Saturday finale. Central Avenue fills with horses, classic cars, community groups, kids, and people waving from the sidewalk. After the parade, the energy moves to Pierson Park for food trucks, vendors, live music, kids’ activities, pony rides, the petting zoo, and all the little moments that make the park feel alive.

That is the part most people see. Getting there takes months of work.

Spreadsheets, Signs, and Last-Minute Questions

Before the parade and festival, there are signs, supplies, boxes, bins, and a lot of little details to get in place.

Long before anyone grabs a spot along the parade route, there is a lot of unglamorous work happening behind the scenes.

Permits. Insurance. Vendor layouts. Safety planning. Parade entries. Sponsor follow-up. Volunteer schedules. Maps. Posters. Social media. Signs. Tickets. Supplies. Emails. So many emails. And yes, a truly unreasonable number of spreadsheets.

Turning Pierson Park into a festival space is its own puzzle. Food trucks need room. Vendors need spaces. Kids’ activities need to fit safely. The band needs power. People need to find the bathrooms. Trash and cleanup need to be planned for. Parade logistics need to be answered. Volunteers need to know where to go.

And then event day arrives.

Someone needs an extension cord. Someone cannot find check-in. Someone has a parking question. Someone needs ice, tape, scissors, a trash bag, a chair, or a quick decision on something no one predicted.

You are carrying a box, answering a text, pointing someone in the right direction, and trying to remember where you left your water bottle.

It is chaotic. It is tiring. And then you look up.

You see kids laughing, old friends reconnecting, local businesses getting cheered on in the parade, vendors serving long lines of people, volunteers helping without being asked, and Pierson Park full of community life. That behind-the-scenes hustle didn’t just make things smooth for visitors – it kept our local business and artisan economy moving too. Hearing from our vendors makes every bit of the coordination worth it:

“Very much enjoyed Pony Express Days as a newer vendor. Had a great time and met lots of great people!” — Randy
“I think this was my first vendor event that I didn’t have a chance to take photos—it was busy!” — JoAnn
“It was wonderful! Very well organized. Very family friendly.” — Maria

Thinking Ahead to 2028

Pony Express Days has been part of McKinleyville since 1968. In 2028, we celebrate the 60th anniversary, and that milestone is already on our minds.

A diamond jubilee will not build itself. It will be built on a community deciding to show up, year after year, with fresh energy and a willingness to carry a piece of the weight. We want the years leading up to 2028 to bring in new ideas, new volunteers, and new momentum while still honoring what this tradition means to the people who have been part of it for decades.

If you want to see an old event come back, help us build it. If you see a problem, help us fix it. Our doors are genuinely open.

Why We Keep Doing This

Events like this support the local economy. They bring people into town, give vendors a place to sell, give sponsors a way to invest in the community, and give nonprofits and local organizations a chance to connect with the people they serve. They give families memories. They give volunteers a role.

They also help McKinleyville tell its own story.

As McKinleyville grows and changes, traditions like Pony Express Days help keep us connected to place. They remind us that we are not just a spot on the map. We are a community with history, pride, humor, generosity, and a whole lot of people willing to roll up their sleeves.

This is why the planning matters: people finding vendors, kids enjoying the day, families spending time together, and local businesses getting in front of the community.

A Genuine Thank You, McKinleyville

To every person who played a part. Whether you sponsored an event, marched in the parade, flipped pancakes, cooked chili, sold food, volunteered, hosted, performed, decorated, donated, answered questions, shared a post, brought your family, or simply showed up to enjoy the day – thank you. You helped make Pony Express Days happen.

Pony Express Days happens because people show up, pitch in, serve, volunteer, and bring the community together.

As community member Shel beautifully shared on the community page alongside photos from the weekend:

“Pictures from the 2026 Pony Express Day Parade. An amazing day in McKinleyville. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to bring us all together.”

A strong community does not appear on its own. We build it. Sometimes with meetings and maps. Sometimes with folding tables, duct tape, chili pots, parade floats, music, and a whole lot of heart.

Pony Express Days is not perfect. No event this big ever is. But it is uniquely ours. And year after year, McKinleyville keeps showing up for it. That is something worth celebrating.

Share Your Favorite Moments!

Did you capture great photos during Pony Express Days? We would love to see the week through your eyes. Tag the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce on facebook and Instagram or send your favorites our way. Those photos help tell the real story too!

McKinleyville Is More Than a Place You Pass Through

Posted on June 4, 2026June 2, 2026 by Jesse

If you ask someone to describe McKinleyville, they’ll probably start by naming what we’re close to. The airport, Arcata, Cal Poly Humboldt, Trinidad, the redwoods, the beach.

And yes, all of that is true. But McKinleyville is so much more than a convenient line on a map between bigger‑name destinations. It’s not just where you grab rental car keys before heading somewhere else or a stretch of highway to speed through on your way north or south.

McKinleyville is its own community. It’s a place shaped by families, schools, local businesses, and neighborly traditions. Built by people who care deeply about where they live. And the more I work in and around this town, the more I realize something critical: if we don’t tell our own story, someone else will tell it for us.

We Are a Gateway, But We Are Also a Destination

Let’s be real: McKinleyville is absolutely a gateway. The California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (ACV) is right here, meaning we are the literal front door for visitors exploring the North Coast.

That role matters, but being a gateway shouldn’t mean being invisible. It means we have an incredible opportunity to welcome people well, help them ground themselves in where they are, and give them a reason to pull over. There is something here worth noticing if you take a second to look.

The Beauty of Everyday Places & Local Businesses

Not every meaningful place has to be flashy or designed for tourists. McKinleyville is defined by the spaces we use in real, everyday life, the Hammond Trail, Hiller Park, Clam Beach, and Pierson Park. It’s the local coffee stops, the grocery stores, the gyms, and the neighborhood streets where you inevitably run into someone you know and end up catching up for ten minutes.

Our local businesses are the backbone of those everyday spaces. They aren’t just places to buy things; they are the employers, the youth sports sponsors, the school fundraiser donors, and the neighbors who show up for community needs behind the scenes.

When we talk about building McKinleyville’s identity, it isn’t about chasing a specific population number. It’s about deciding who we are, what we value, and what we want to build. If we want visitors and new residents to see us as a true destination, we have to make it as easy as possible for them to find and support the incredible businesses already rooted here.

Traditions and Real Conversations

We have deep traditions that give us a sense of place. Whether it’s the energy of Pony Express Days, summer evenings at Music in the Park, Chamber mixers, or local baseball games at Hiller Park. They aren’t always perfect, and they don’t have to be. They matter because they give us a reason to gather, helping newcomers feel connected and reminding long-time residents why they love it here.

Being proud of McKinleyville doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect, either. We’re not without growing pains. But genuine community pride isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff, it means caring enough to keep showing up and investing in what makes this place good.

This Is the Work

At the Chamber, our job is to support local businesses and advocate for a strong economy, but a massive part of that is simply telling the McKinleyville story.

That’s exactly why we’ve been building out more resource-heavy content on our website. When we share business spotlights, trail ideas, or event updates, it isn’t just content for the sake of content. It’s a deliberate effort to help visitors find us, help residents stay connected, and ensure our businesses are seen. It’s a way to remind everyone that McKinleyville isn’t just near the good stuff. McKinleyville is the good stuff.

Stop, Stay, and Explore

So, if you’re flying into ACV, take a little time to notice where you landed. If you’re driving through town, pull over for a meal, take a walk on the trail, or check out a shop you haven’t seen before.

And if you live here? Keep exploring your own backyard. Try a restaurant you haven’t visited in a while. Show up to the local events. Share the post, invite a friend, and cheer at the parade. McKinleyville is a place where people live, work, build, and care. That’s a story worth telling, and it’s a story we’re writing together every day.

How to Find What’s Happening in McKinleyville

Posted on May 26, 2026May 21, 2026 by Jesse

Sometimes people will say, “I had no idea that was happening.”

We get it!

There is a lot going on in McKinleyville and throughout Humboldt County. Community events, school activities, business events, fundraisers, public meetings, Chamber mixers, summer concerts, festivals, nonprofit events, workshops, and local celebrations all pop up throughout the year.

One of the Chamber’s goals is to help make those things easier to find.

We may not know about every single event happening in town, but we are always working to share what we can, point people in the right direction, and help residents, businesses, visitors, and community partners stay connected.

Start With the Chamber Member Events Calendar

If you are looking for local happenings, the Chamber Member Events Calendar is a great place to start.

This calendar highlights events hosted by McKinleyville Chamber members and gives people one more way to discover what local businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and community partners are doing.

You might find a business open house, a nonprofit fundraiser, a workshop, a food or beverage event, a seasonal celebration, a ribbon cutting, or another opportunity to connect with the local business community.

It is helpful for residents looking for something to do, visitors exploring the area, and members who want to support each other.

Members Can Add Their Own Events

If you are a Chamber member, this is one of the tools available to you.

Adding your event to the Chamber calendar helps give it more visibility and makes it easier for the community to find. It also gives the Chamber something we can help point people toward when they ask what is happening.

Your event does not have to be huge to be worth sharing.

A class, sale, fundraiser, open house, live music night, hiring event, anniversary celebration, workshop, community activity, or special event can all be a good fit.

The more our members use the calendar, the more useful it becomes for everyone.

Follow Along on Social Media

Social media is still one of the quickest ways we share timely updates.

The Chamber uses Facebook and Instagram often to share event reminders, member updates, ribbon cuttings, photos, and last-minute details. We also use LinkedIn for business-focused updates, community leadership topics, and member news.

Not everything can fit into one post or one calendar, so following the Chamber on social media is one of the easiest ways to stay in the loop.

It also helps local events reach more people. Every like, share, comment, and tag can help someone else find out about something happening in the community.

McKinlevyille Chamber of Commerce on Facebook

@mckinleyvillechamber on Instagram

McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce on Linked In

Sign Up for Chamber Emails

Email is still one of the most reliable ways to stay connected.

Our Chamber emails help share upcoming events, member news, community updates, local resources, and opportunities to get involved. They are especially helpful if you are not on social media every day or if you want information gathered in one place.

For businesses and organizations, email can also be a helpful way to see what is coming up, plan ahead, and find opportunities to participate.

Newsletter Signup

Don’t Forget About Public Meetings

Not everything happening in McKinleyville is an event.

Some of the most important conversations happen in public meetings, advisory committees, board meetings, and county-level discussions. These conversations can affect roads, development, housing, public safety, recreation, infrastructure, tourism, business conditions, and the future of our community.

That is why the Chamber also created a Civics Meeting Calendar.

You do not have to attend every meeting to be informed. But knowing where to look is a good first step.

Send Events Our Way

The Chamber cannot share what we do not know about.

If you are a Chamber member and have an event coming up, make sure it is added to the Member Events Calendar or send the information our way.

If you are planning a fundraiser, business celebration, workshop, open house, special event, or community activity, we want to know about it.

And if you are not sure where something belongs, ask us. We may be able to point you to the right calendar, page, contact, or resource.

Why It Matters

Events and community updates are more than just a calendar to keep updated.

They are how people find each other.

They help businesses connect with customers. They help nonprofits reach supporters. They help residents find things to do. They help visitors experience the community. They help members support members.

We are a growing community, but we still have that local feeling where showing up, sharing information, and helping people connect can make a real difference.

So whether you are looking for something to do, trying to promote an event, wanting to attend a public meeting, or just hoping to feel a little more connected, we hope these resources help.

Start with the Member Events Calendar. Follow along on social media. Sign up for updates. Share what you know.

There is more happening in McKinleyville than people sometimes realize, and we are glad to help share it.

McKinleyville Is Growing: Why Local Voice Matters

Posted on May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 by Jesse

McKinleyville is growing.

You can feel it in conversations happening around town, at public meetings, inside local businesses, during community events, and when people stop to catch up with neighbors.

Growth can bring opportunity. New jobs, new services, new customers, new investment, and new reasons for people to pay attention to McKinleyville.

It can also bring questions.

What kind of growth fits our community? What infrastructure do we need? How will roads, housing, public safety, recreation, tourism, local business, and community character be affected? How do we make sure McKinleyville has a voice in the decisions that shape our future?

Those questions matter.

And in McKinleyville, local voice matters a lot.

McKinleyville Is Not a City

One important thing to understand is that McKinleyville is an unincorporated community.

That means we do not have a city council or mayor making decisions only for McKinleyville. Many decisions that affect our community move through Humboldt County departments, special districts, public agencies, advisory groups, and regional partners.

That does not mean McKinleyville is without a voice.

It means our voice has to show up in different ways.

It shows up when residents attend public meetings, when business owners ask questions, when community members read agendas, serve on committees, take surveys, speak during public comment, volunteer, share information, and stay connected.

It also shows up when local organizations work together to make sure McKinleyville is part of the conversation.

That is one reason the Chamber created a Civics Meeting Calendar: to make it easier for people to find local meeting information and follow the conversations that affect McKinleyville.

Growth Is More Than One Project

When people hear the word growth, it is easy to think about one project, one development, or one issue.

But growth is bigger than that.

Growth is roads and sidewalks. It is housing and local jobs. It is business development and public safety. It is parks, trails, and recreation. It is tourism and airport access. It is whether families can find what they need close to home and whether small businesses can survive, adapt, and thrive.

Growth is also about identity.

McKinleyville has a strong local feel. We have businesses that support fundraisers, families who show up for events, volunteers who quietly make things happen, and people who care deeply about this place.

As McKinleyville grows, we should keep asking how we protect that sense of connection while also planning for what comes next.

Why This Matters for Local Business

Local businesses feel the impact of community decisions every day.

Road conditions, traffic patterns, signage, development, workforce needs, housing, public safety, events, tourism, permitting, broadband, utilities, and regional access all shape the environment businesses operate in.

Most business owners do not have time to attend every meeting or follow every agenda. They are already busy running their business, managing staff, helping customers, and keeping up with everything else life brings.

That is one reason the Chamber’s role matters.

We may not be the decision maker, and we may not have every answer. But we can help track what is happening, share information, ask questions, create opportunities for connection, and help elevate the needs of local businesses and the broader McKinleyville community.

That work is not always flashy.

Sometimes it looks like attending a meeting, reading an agenda, forwarding information, asking who needs to be in the room, or making sure McKinleyville is not forgotten in a larger countywide conversation.

But it matters.

A Balanced Voice Matters Too

Not every issue has a simple answer.

Sometimes there are real benefits and real concerns at the same time. A project might bring jobs and investment, while also raising questions about traffic, infrastructure, neighborhood impacts, the environment, or how it fits into the long-term vision for the community.

Those conversations can get emotional because people care.

That is not a bad thing. It means people are paying attention.

The challenge is to make space for good questions, accurate information, different perspectives, and respectful conversation.

We can care about economic opportunity and still ask thoughtful questions.

We can support local business and still talk about infrastructure.

We can welcome investment and still expect community impacts to be taken seriously.

We can be proud of McKinleyville as it is and still plan for what it is becoming.

The Chamber’s Role

The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce exists to strengthen local business and community life through advocacy, connection, and practical support.

That work shows up in a lot of ways.

Sometimes it is promoting a local business, planning an event, hosting a forum, attending a meeting, sharing resources, or connecting people who should be talking to each other.

We believe McKinleyville is stronger when businesses, residents, organizations, agencies, and community leaders stay connected.

We also believe being involved does not have to mean doing everything.

It can start small.

Read an agenda. Attend one public meeting. Follow a local committee. Ask a question. Fill out a survey. Talk with a neighbor. Support a local business. Show up to a community event. Share reliable information.

Small actions help build a more connected community.

Staying Connected

McKinleyville has a lot ahead.

There will be conversations about growth, infrastructure, economic development, tourism, public services, events, business needs, and community priorities. Some will be exciting. Some will be complicated. Many will require patience, follow through, and people willing to stay engaged.

The Chamber will continue working to support our members, share information, strengthen connections, and help McKinleyville have a voice in the conversations that shape our future.

Because McKinleyville is growing.

And the best way to grow well is to stay connected, stay informed, and keep showing up for the community we call home.

Want to stay more connected to local public meetings? Visit the Chamber’s Civics Meeting Calendar to find meeting information for local and county committees serving McKinleyville and Humboldt County.

5 Easy Ways to Support Local Businesses in McKinleyville

Posted on May 17, 2026May 19, 2026 by Jesse

Supporting local businesses does not always have to mean making a big purchase.

Of course, buying local matters. Dining at a local restaurant, shopping at a local store, booking a local service, or choosing a local professional all make a real difference.

But there are also smaller ways to support local businesses that cost very little, or nothing at all.

Here in McKinleyville, our local businesses help shape the everyday feel of our community. They sponsor events, donate raffle prizes, employ local people, support schools and youth programs, show up for fundraisers, volunteer, serve on committees, and help make community traditions possible.

When we support them, we are also supporting the community around them.

1. Choose Local When You Can

You do not have to do everything locally all the time. Life is busy, budgets matter, and sometimes convenience wins.

But when you have the choice, choosing local adds up.

That might mean grabbing lunch from a McKinleyville restaurant, buying a gift from a local shop, hiring a local contractor, using a local insurance office, visiting a local salon, booking with a local lodging property, or calling a local service provider first.

Those choices help keep money moving through our community and help local businesses stay strong.

2. Leave a Good Review

A positive review can make a big difference, especially for a small business.

If you had a good experience, take a minute to leave a review on Google, Facebook, Yelp, or wherever that business shows up online.

It does not have to be long or fancy. A few honest sentences can help the next person feel confident choosing that business, pictures can add even more of a positive impact!

Something as simple as, “Great service, friendly staff, and easy to work with,” can go a long way.

3. Share Their Posts

Social media is one of the easiest ways to support local.

When a business posts about a special, event, job opening, new product, fundraiser, or update, sharing it helps more people see it.

You can also like, comment, tag a friend, or save the post for later. Those little actions help boost the post and remind the algorithm that people care about what that business is sharing.

And for the business owner or staff member behind the post, it is also just encouraging to know someone is paying attention.

4. Tell Someone About a Business You Love

Word of mouth still matters.

If you love a local business, tell someone. Recommend them when a friend asks for ideas. Tag them in a comment. Mention them to a neighbor. Bring someone with you next time you stop in.

Sometimes the best support is simply helping someone else discover a business they might not have known about yet.

5. Use the Chamber Business Directory

When you are looking for a local business, service, restaurant, nonprofit, or organization, the McKinleyville Chamber Business Directory is a great place to start.

Our directory includes Chamber members from many different industries, including food, lodging, retail, health and wellness, professional services, construction, real estate, community organizations, and more.

Before heading straight to a search engine, take a quick look through the directory and see who is right here in McKinleyville and the surrounding area.

Small Actions Add Up

Supporting local is not about doing everything perfectly.

It is about noticing the businesses around us and choosing to support them when we can.

Buy local when it makes sense. Leave the review. Share the post. Tell a friend. Check the directory. Show up.

Small actions really do help, and they help keep McKinleyville connected, active, and strong.

Explore the McKinleyville Chamber Business Directory and find local businesses to support today.

Welcome to McKinleyville: Where Community, Business, Forest, and Coast Come Together

Posted on May 11, 2026May 18, 2026 by Jesse

Welcome to the McKinleyville Chamber Blog

McKinleyville is one of those places that is hard to sum up in just a few words.

For starters, we are a growing community on California’s North Coast, tucked between the redwoods and the Pacific Ocean. We have beaches, trails, parks, schools, local shops, family friendly events, and businesses that help give our town its character.

At the heart of it all, though, McKinleyville is made up of people who care.

You can see it in the way our community shows up for local events, supports small businesses, volunteers, sponsors youth programs, serves on committees, and helps make things happen.

That sense of connection is something we get to see everyday at the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce.

Just as importantly, our businesses are a big part of the story. They are owned and operated by neighbors, families, friends, employers, and people who are invested in this place. When you support a business in McKinleyville, you are helping keep our community connected and strong.

Between the Redwoods and the Sea

McKinleyville is also a special place to visit. With the California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport nearby, local lodging, restaurants, shops, beaches, trails, and easy access to the greater Humboldt County area, our community is a natural gateway to the North Coast.

Through events like Pony Express Days, Music in the Park, mixers, ribbon cuttings, and community celebrations, the Chamber works to bring people together and help tell the story of McKinleyville.

This blog will be one more way for us to share that story.

We will use this space to highlight local businesses, community events, visitor ideas, member news, resources, and the people and places that make McKinleyville feel like home.

So whether you live here, work here, own a business here, are thinking about moving here, or are just passing through, we are glad you found us.

There is a lot to love about McKinleyville, and we are excited to keep sharing it with you.

Stay Connected

This blog is just the beginning. We will continue sharing local business stories, community updates, event highlights, visitor ideas, and resources to help you stay connected to McKinleyville.

Take a look around, explore our local business directory, check out upcoming events, or follow the Chamber on social media to see what is happening next.

McKinleyville has a lot to offer, and we are glad to help share it.

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