Ride the Rendezvous Excursion Hits Town Friday at Noon to kick off weekend celebration

information released; Rural Valley Life photo above

Join the fun at the 81st annual Winthrop Washington ’49er Days!

Come enjoy a celebration of our rich western history and community spirit. The event starts with the annual Ride the Rendezvous, a week-long horse-packing excursion through the Methow Valley high country.

At high noon on Friday May 8th the Ride the Rendezvous horses, wagons and cowboy crews will come through town to kick off the celebrations! 

On Saturday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. the historic 49ers Grand Parade will roll through Riverside Ave with floats, bands, vintage vehicles, pack strings, hydroplane boats and more! Congratulations to the 2026 Royalty: Grand Marshal and Grand Lady: Don and Lorah Super; Junior Queen: Layla Mortland; Junior Princesses: Mylie Erks and Alice Esmiol.

Before and after the parade there will be music and games, dancing in the street and shopping specials at our local boutiques.

Don’t miss the Storybook Scavenger Hunt for kids at these participating businesses: 3 Bears Quilt Shop, Aspen Grove, French Quail Boutique, Inside Out, Purple Sage Gallery, Farmer’s Exchange, Shotgun Nellie’s, Oliver’s French Farm Cafe, Courtyard Quail, Winthrop Mountain Sports, Trails End Bookstore and Shafer Museum!
 
Head to Mack Lloyd park after the parade for more fun with cowboy meals, live music, crafts and loads of family fun!  

Schedule of events for the 81st Annual Winthrop 49er Days 

Friday May 8th at High Noon – Ride to Rendezvous

Gather along Riverside Ave to welcome the Washington Outfitters & Guides Association (WOGA) Pack Train as they ride through town!

The grand entry of horses, wagons and riders often represents the largest pack string parade in the state.

Their arrival into downtown Winthrop celebrates the completion of the historic Ride to Rendezvous week-long pack trip.

Photo credit: Rural Valley Life

Saturday May 9th:

  • 10:00 a.m. – Line dancing with West Coast Country Heat
  • 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Storybook Scavenger Hunt: Starts at the downtown Winthrop Visitor Information Center then continues through 12 downtown stores
  • 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Shafer Museum Activities: Washboards, kids’ lasso, and rolling hoops at the museum.
  • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Games, Face Painting, Food, and Crafts at Confluence Park
  • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Chamber Support & Merchandise: In front of Town Hall
  • 11:00 a.m. – Grand Parade on Riverside Ave followed by fun & games! (participants line up at 9AM on Castle & Englar St for judging)
  • Noon to 1:00 p.m. – Stick Horse Rodeo on Riverside Ave Hwy 20 intersection *Sponsored by River Run Inn & Cabins and Winthrop KOA*
  • Starts at Noon – Kiwanis pulled pork lunch at Mack Lloyd Park
  • Noon to 5:00 p.m. – Rooster Tails Hydroplane Boats on display at the Winthrop Barn
  • Noon to 5:00 p.m. – Live music at the outdoor stage in the park and Rooster Tail Hydroplanes at the Barn
  • 5:00 p.m. – *WOGA Dinner in the park ($30 per person)
  • 6:00 p.m. – Line dance lessons at the Winthrop Barn
  • 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – 49er Days Barn Dance with Pack String & Friends ($10 entry at the door)
  • 8:00 p.m. – Dance competition! $5 to enter, winner takes the money!

Winthrop ’49er Days Junior Royalty, from left, are Princess Alice Esmiol, Princess Mylie Erks and Queen Layla Mortland.

Photo courtesy of River Run Inn & Cabins

Sunday May 10th

  • Starts at 7:00 a.m. – *WOGA Breakfast at Mack Lloyd Park ($15 per person)
    10:00 a.m. – Packing Contest

The event is organized by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Outfitters & Guides Association.

For more information, visit the Chamber website.

*Washington Outfitters & Guides catered meals accept cash and credit card payments.

Photo credit: Mitchell Image Photography