For more than five decades, Atascadero Colony Days has brought the community together to celebrate the city's history, traditions and the people who have helped shape its story.
The annual celebration began in 1973 as a way to honor the community of Atascadero, with the first Colony Days parade following in 1974. Since then, the parade has become a longstanding local tradition.
After more than 50 years of being held on either the first or third Saturday of October, Colony Days took a temporary turn in 2025, moving to November to partner with the Atascadero Fall Fest. This year, Colony Days returns to its traditional October schedule, with Fall Fest once again joining the celebration.
The Atascadero Colony Days Parade and Fall Fest will take place Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., bringing a full day of activities, food, entertainment and community celebration to downtown Atascadero and the Sunken Gardens. However, the Fall Fest will give you three full days of fun in the Sunken Gardens.
The Atascadero Colony Days Committee, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the force behind the annual celebration. Since its inception, Colony Days has relied on the support of local residents, businesses, sponsors, volunteers and community partners to keep the tradition going.
This year's parade will carry special significance as it is being held in honor of Colony Days founder and first Grand Marshal Maggie Rice Vandergon. This year's parade will be known as the "Maggie Rice Vandergon Memorial Parade," providing an opportunity for the community to honor her memory.
Maggie passed away earlier this year in January at the age of 98. Born in Paso Robles in 1927, Maggie graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1945 and later attended Mercy College in San Diego to pursue a nursing degree. She returned to the area and worked as a surgical nurse while raising her family. After the death of her husband, Dr. Chet Rice, she continued living in Atascadero and later married Jack Vandergon.
Maggie devoted decades to community service. In addition to founding the Colony Days Parade, she served on the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, chaired the Twin Cities Hospital Board of Directors and served on the County Grand Jury. She also chaired the Pioneer Days parade committee, ran the first-aid tent at the California Mid-State Fair for 11 years and organized quarterly blood drives at the Elks Lodge for 20 years.
Her service earned her Citizen of the Year honors from both Atascadero and Paso Robles, as well as recognition from the Elks.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. behind the Administration Building on Lewis Avenue. From there, the procession will cross the Arch Bridge and continue along Lewis Avenue as it becomes Capistrano Avenue. The parade will proceed toward Highway 41 before turning northwest onto El Camino Real, then turning onto Entrada or West Mall and finishing near Lewis Avenue.
The day will begin even earlier, with breakfast available from 9 to 11 a.m. at local businesses and vendors throughout downtown Atascadero and around the Sunken Gardens. Parade awards are scheduled for approximately noon or 12:30 p.m.
Following the parade, the celebration will continue as the Atascadero Fall Fest takes over downtown and the area surrounding the Sunken Gardens. From immediately after the parade until 10 p.m., attendees can enjoy a variety of vendors, food and entertainment throughout the festival.
Colony Days festivities will begin earlier in the week with the annual Colony Days Tea on Sunday, October 11. The tea, held in honor of Lon Allan, will celebrate the 2026 Colony Days Royalty and Parade Grand Marshal with small bites, beverages, entertainment and storytelling focused on Atascadero history and Colony Days traditions.
Long-time local journalist and historian Lon Allan passed away in April of this year at the age of 86. Lon moved to Atascadero in 1966 and spent more than five decades contributing to the community. He taught English, journalism and speech at Atascadero High School before joining the Atascadero News, where he served as editor for more than 34 years. His weekly column, “Along the King’s Highway,” chronicled local people, places and history for three decades in the Atascadero News and another 10 years in the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
A passionate advocate for local history, Lon served as president and historian of the Atascadero Historical Society and authored three books about the community, including Atascadero: The Vision of One — The Work of Many, Atascadero’s Historic Business District and AHS First 100 Years.
He was active in organizations including the Atascadero Kiwanis Club, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, Atascadero Printery Foundation and Estrella Warbirds Museum. His community contributions earned him numerous honors. Through his writing, teaching and historical work, Lon spent decades preserving Atascadero's stories and sharing them with generations of residents.
The week will continue Thursday, October 15, with a Colony Days Mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Atascadero Chamber's Oktoberfest at Atascadero Lakeside Park inside the Zoo Gardens at the Central Coast Zoo.
For more information about Colony Days, visit colonydays.org
CUT OUT BOXES
Colony Days Tea
Sunday, October 11 | 2 p.m.
Atascadero Bible Church
6225 Atascadero Ave
Colony Days Mixer
Thursday, October 15 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Central Coast Zoo
9100 Morro Rd
Atascadero Fall Festival
October 16–18
Friday | 4–10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | Noon–10 p.m.
Sunken Gardens
6505 El Camino Real
Colony Days Events & Parade
Saturday, October 17
9–11 a.m.
Breakfast at local businesses and vendors throughout downtown Atascadero and around the Sunken Gardens.
10 a.m.
Colony Days Parade
Noon or 12:30 p.m.
Colony Days Parade awards
After the parade–10 p.m.
Vendors, entertainment and food in and around downtown Atascadero and the Sunken Gardens.
