pioneer day irrelevant in California?

As the Ward Activities leader ( AKA cruise director), I'm deep into planning our Pioneer Day festivities. Or not.
Last year was my first time around. I really knocked myself out. It was outrageously hot and no one wanted to play the games or participate in all the activities that I had spent untold hours preparing. I'm not stupid ( I think?), so there will be no repeat this year. But I have this nagging sense of guilt that I'm trying to ignore.
So here's the question: for those who do not live in a community that was settled by Mormon pioneers, is Pioneer Day relevant? Does skipping the focus on people who walked (or road in a covered wagon) to Zion mean that we're ingrates?
Quick disclaimer: I have "pioneer heritage". I also have Lutheran, Catholic and undetermined heritage. Some of my ancestors came west on foot, some in covered wagons and some in cars (without air conditioning!) I'm either the 5th generation or the second or the first, to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( there's another subject for an entire posting on that name!) So, I am and am not one of those people.
Is that why I'm conflicted? I loved dressing up and turning our wagon into a covered wagon for the Stake parade when I was a Primary girl. I loved the big party. As an adult, I don't like to wear costumes. Especially long dresses in July in southern California. But I do like to party. However, I have been to so many boring pioneer day picnics that I'd love to never see another one. If I promise to not drag out my pedigree charts ( or let anyone else drag out theirs!)will that solve the problem?
Let me say, the trek I got to chaperone last summer fulfilled a dream of mine. One item off the bucket list. The stories of what the pioneers endured move me to tears, sometimes just from thinking about them. I don't want to forget those stories, or purge them from our culture. The thought that angels helped to push the carts of those who couldn't go another step make me ask, "could I have been one of those angels?" I hope so!
So here is the point. I don't know if I was "there in spirit" or not. But I am here in body today. And all around me are those who cannot pull their load another step. So, will I set down what I'm doing to help, or race on? Overcoming obstacles is always a relevant topic. Our culture is obsessed with self-help. If we combine the two, help others overcome their obstacles, we have helped ourselves overcome a bit of self-centeredness and followed in the footsteps of more than just the pioneers.
Our Ward will not be holding a service project on Friday night. That part of the plan didn't work out. But we will eat, play and enjoy each others' company. Hopefully bonds will be created that will make someone, someday, say "I'm a little tired, but my brother needs my help, and I'm going to give it all I've got!"
We don't need to dress up, have a parade, or do the stick-pull game to honor those who sacrificed on our behalf. All we have to do is follow their example: don't give up when the going gets rough, and then help those around us up and over the hill, too.