Sue Cejner-Moyers, a longtime Pioneer Day volunteer, assists visitors at the Assay Office demonstration, where children can pan for gold and trade their findings during the annual Smartsville and Timbuctoo festival.

SMARTSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Three longtime volunteers will be recognized for their years of dedication during the 17th annual Smartsville and Timbuctoo Pioneer Day on Saturday, April 25.

Sue Cejner-Moyers, Mike Moyers and Stacey Hinton will be honored at noon with the Pioneer Day Volunteer Award, recognizing their contributions to the Gold Rush-themed festival.

“In the year 2026 we’re happy to recognize three members of a family who have faithfully contributed to Pioneer Day with a variety of activities and ideas,” organizers Janet Burton and Kathy Smith said.

Cejner-Moyers has played a key role in organizing children’s activities and performs in the Timbuctoo Theatre, while also encouraging others to portray historical characters.

“Sue is creative and enthusiastic, offering children’s activities and performing in the Timbuctoo Theatre, and has encouraged others to portray historic characters as well,” organizers said.

Mike Moyers, known for portraying stagecoach robber Black Bart, has served as master of ceremonies for many years and will again take part in this year’s program, sharing stories from the Gold Rush era.

Hinton, described as “ever dependable,” assists with setup and coordinates children’s activities, including gold panning and trading their findings at the Assay Office.

“These three volunteers … will be recognized on the main stage at noon on Pioneer Day. Their names on our perpetual plaque are a small way to thank them for years of major participation,” Burton and Smith said.

The award program began last year with the recognition of Leroy Prindle, who portrays Father Andrew Twomey, and will also include remembrance of the late Ken Freeman, a past master of ceremonies.

Following the recognition, the annual Pioneer Day festival will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Smartsville, offering a look at life during the Gold Rush era.

Visitors can tour nearby mining areas and the historic town of Timbuctoo, enjoy live music, food and craft vendors, and watch demonstrations such as blacksmithing and weaving. Family-friendly activities, including gold panning, are planned throughout the day.

Held each year on the last Saturday in April, the event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Smartsville Church Restoration Fund and highlights ongoing work at the former Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Smartsville, located along the Yuba River northeast of Marysville, traces its roots to the 1850s when flooding forced the relocation of the mining town of Rose’s Bar to higher ground. Named after early settler James Smart, the community became a stagecoach stop during the height of hydraulic mining before declining after the 1884 Sawyer decision.

Today, Pioneer Day continues to reflect that history while supporting preservation efforts.

For more information, visit smartsvillechurchrestoration.org