The Long Way
Lincoln County
Two people in historical costumes walk along a street in front of a crowd of onlookers.
Plate I. Parade participants, Panaca Pioneer Day. From lincolncountynevada.com
A crowd of people gathering along a street in front of a building.
Plate II. Parade spectators during Panaca Pioneer Day. From lccentral.com
A young cowgirl wearing a cowboy hat and sash waves while riding a horse.
Plate III. Parade participant, Panaca Pioneer Day. From lincolncountynevada.com

Panaca Pioneer Day

Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada. Pioneer Days Celebration; summer.

Details

Map. Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada. Larger map
Where
Main Street, Panaca, NV. Directions
When
Last held July 25–26, 2025; this year’s date not yet stated.
Fees
Breakfast and dinner pricing was to be posted.
Hours
Friday craft fair: noon-5 p.m.
Access
The parade was on Main Street; the silent auction and dinner were at the LDS Church.
Walk-in or reserve
Everyone is welcome.
Website
lincolncountynevada.com
Managed by
local wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A two-day, family-friendly celebration honoring early settlers with food, festivities, and community traditions.

Notable Events

  1. 1847The arrival on July 24 became the event commemorated by Pioneer Day. lccentral.com
  2. 1864Francis Lee and his wife, Jane Vail Johnson, founded Panaca in May, five months before Nevada became a state. reviewjournal.com
  3. 1866Congress was petitioned to shift the boundary by one degree of longitude, moving Panaca into Nevada. reviewjournal.com
  4. 1870After conflict and surveys, Panaca's Mormon settlers were declared to reside in Nevada; many left, leaving only a handful. lincolncountynevada.com
  5. 1871After bitter litigation, the boundary-related tax dispute was settled in favor of Panaca's citizens on December 4. shpo.nv.gov
  6. 1964Linda Lee later wrote a book about Panaca after the town's 1964 centennial celebration. reviewjournal.com
  7. 2014Panaca held a multi-day celebration including a parade, original play, races, meals, and fireworks. reviewjournal.com

People

  • William Hamblin, Mormon missionary shown the location of abundant panacker, where the Panacker Ledge was staked.
  • Francis Lee, Panaca founder.
  • Jane Vail Johnson, Panaca founder.
  • Linda Lee, Panaca Heritage Center chair and organizer preparing the sesquicentennial event.

Sources

  1. lincolncountynevada.com/events/summer-events/pioneer-day-2
  2. instagram.com/lincolnnv
  3. lincolncountynevada.com/tag/panaca-pioneer-day-celebration
  4. lincolncountynevada.com/panaca-pioneer-day-following-in-their-footsteps
  5. lincolncountynevada.com/discovering/towns/panaca
  6. lccentral.com/2026/07/16/community-invited-to-take-part-in-panaca-pioneer-day-celebration
  7. reviewjournal.com/news/panaca-shares-sesquicentennial-with-nevada
  8. shpo.nv.gov/nevadas-historical-markers/historical-markers/panaca
  9. lincolncountynevada.com/panaca-honors-the-pioneers