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After COVID cancelled the biggest event for the Pioneer Club of Lee County for two straight years, it will make its triumphant return this month.

The Pioneer Club of Lee County will celebrate the 73rd anniversary of its’ founding with its annual picnic on Saturday, April 30, at the Lee County Civic Center’s Tinsley Pavilion, located just off Bayshore Road.

The club is a social organization comprised of many of the old families of Lee County, who get together annually to catch up on one another’s lives and to have lunch together.

Theresa Clements, who handles publicity for the club, said after a two-year hiatus, they are looking forward to putting the picnic on again and residents are looking forward to getting out of the house.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout this year. I’ve spoken to four different couples who are looking forward to this so much. They’ve been cooped up and are looking to meet up with friends and enjoy the picnic and socialize,” Clements said.

The Pioneer Club of Lee County was founded in 1949 by R.A. Henderson Jr. to honor those living persons who had been residents of old Lee County for 50 or more years.

The initial meeting was held in 1950 at the Lions Park on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.

Those who attended had lived in Lee County since 1900 or before.

This year, the eligibility requirement for membership is that the person was a resident of Lee County prior to 1972.

Registration and visiting begins at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon, followed by presentations and a raffle at 1 p.m.

Barbecue chicken or pork, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, chocolate chip cookies and iced tea or lemonade are available to the attendees for $10 per plate.

The Classes of 1972 from Alva, Bishop Verot, Cypress Lakes, Dunbar, Fort Myers and North Fort Myers high schools will be recognized at the picnic as celebrating their 50-year class reunions.

Also recognized at the picnic will be the eldest pioneer man and woman born in Lee County; the couple married the longest (both spouses need to be in attendance); pioneer who traveled the longest distance to the picnic; and the eldest person in attendance.

“People just want to reconnect. Old friendships, new friendships. There’s a great meal, and it’s all very nice,” Clements said. “I had a friend say they weren’t going on vacation until they went to this picnic.”

Also, the Edison and Ford Winter Estate and the IMAG History & Science Center will offer free admission on that weekend to the members of the Pioneer Club by presenting their membership card to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on Thursday, April 28, Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.

Approximately 1,200 invitations are mailed out for the picnic, of which two-thirds are sent to area residents. There are normally 600 to 700 people who attend.

Email pioneerleecounty@gmail.com to receive registration information or you may register the day of the picnic.

There are no membership dues.