CCCVB's Blog

70th Annual Nevada Day Celebration Highlights 144 Years of Statehood
with Parade, Carnival, Mad Hatter Ball and the Bizarre

(Carson City, Nev.) – Once again, the Silver State will do it up right by taking four days, Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2008, to celebrate its admission to the Union on Oct. 31, 1864. This year’s theme, “Hollywood in Nevada – Movies and Television,” celebrates Nevada’s long history with the Silver Screen.

Long-time Nevada resident Kathryn Grant Crosby, the widow of Bing Crosby, will serve as Grand Marshal and lead the parade of floats, marching bands and other entertainment down U.S. Highway 50 in Carson City. Crosby starred in numerous films including “Rear Window” and “Cyrano de Bergerac”. She also made guest appearances on “The Bing Crosby Show”.

Nevada Day, the state’s exaggerated definition of fun – where it takes four days to mark one day when the 36th state was admitted to the Union.

Offbeat historical homage and family activities include:

Thursday, Oct. 30
-- RSVP Carnival, in its 23rd consecutive year, provide carnival rides for adults and small children at Mills Park in Carson City. The RSVP Carnival will open at 4 p.m. Thursday and noon, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Admission is free, with a fee for rides.

Friday, Oct. 31
-- V&T Railway Silver Coin Minting at the Nevada State Museum. The 6th silver coin in the V&T Railway Series will be minted at 10 a.m. Sales benefit the ongoing reconstruction of the V&T Railway on its original 17-mile route from Carson City to Virginia City. To order a limited-edition coin, call 775-687-7410 or e-mail VTProject@aol.com.

-- The Nevada Day Pow-Wow, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, has been held on Nevada Day for more than 20 years. This year’s event will highlight Native American dancing and offer food, arts and crafts and other cultural events and entertainment in the Colony Gym on South Curry Street. Admission is free. Call 775-841-3182.

-- The Mad Hatter Ball is a dance for all ages from 8:30-10 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada. Adults are $9 and kids under 16 are free with an adult; otherwise kids are $4 each. Call 775-883-9351.

Saturday, Nov. 1-- 19th Annual Carson Nugget Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk will feature hundreds of runners and walkers in Carson City’s historical district. The event includes an 8K run at 8:15 a.m., a two-mile walk at 8:25 a.m. and a two-mile fun run at 8:25 a.m. Registration is $25. All races start from the corner of Telegraph St. and Curry St. Proceeds benefit The Special Olympics. Call 775-883-3361.

-- An Air Show includes all types of aircraft, including an 8 a.m. hot-air balloon launch, followed by a flyover with F-18 Hornets and an F-16 Falcon from Fallon Naval Air Station, a C-130 Hercules from the Nevada Air Guard. A UH-60 Blackhawk and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Nevada Army National Guard will signal the start of the Nevada Day Parade festivities which feature marching bands, floats, equestrian groups and historical displays. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from William St. and U.S. Highway 50 and ends near Stewart St. and Carson St. Call 775-882-2600.

-- A Nevada Day Battle of the Bands will highlight high school marching bands at the Carson City High School field at 3 p.m. Awards will be given for best overall parade and field with the winners receiving the Governor’s Grand Champion Trophy.

-- The Annual Nevada Day Beard Contest on the steps of the State Capitol immediately follows the parade. Admission and contest entry are free, with winners awarded in the following categories: longest; fullest; reddest; whitest; blackest; best salt and pepper; best groomed; scruffiest; and most bearded community – which has been bestowed on Virginia City the past four years.

-- The 33rd Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest is set for 11:05 a.m. at the Carson Nugget west parking lot. Contestants have 10 minutes to drill holes in Sierra White Granite using pound hammers and bits of graduated steel. The contest celebrates the heritage of the Comstock mining days when blast holes for dynamite were punched into ore bodies by hand. Entry fee is $50. Admission is free.

-- Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki will host the 26th Annual Chili Feed at the Carson Nugget’s upstairs Banquet Center, from noon-2 p.m. This free event is an opportunity to meet state and local leaders. To further the tradition of hospitality, the Governor’s Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St., will be open for tours from 2-4 p.m.

-- The 8th Annual Silver State Rumble highlighting live amateur boxing and hosted by Bruno’s Boxing Club, will take place at 3 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. Williams St. There are 15 bouts scheduled and admission is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and kids under six are free. Call 775-888-6806.

-- The Pinewood Derby Race is set for Saturday from 1-5 p.m. in the Carson City, 1313 S. Carson St. Registration is free and begins at 11 a.m. Kits are $4 and can be purchased at any American Family Insurance site. All ages are welcome.

-- The inaugural Battle Born Softball Tournament, Nov. 1-2, is open to “D” and “E” men’s softball teams. Teams receive t-shirts and the chance to win the championship Silver State trophy. Games will be held at Incline Park in Incline Village, Nev. Call 775-450-8911.

Sunday, Nov. 2-- The Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St., is steaming up an 1888 locomotive for public rides from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors 65 and older; $3 for children six to 11; and free for children under 6.

For more information on all Nevada Day events, log onto www.nevadaday.com or call the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-NEVADA-1.

14th Annual Tour Includes Visits and Past Tales of Homes from the 1800s

(Carson City, Nev.) – This year, Carson City is celebrating its sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) and the city’s rich historic past is coming to life during the Wild West Tour Spring Ghost Walk, Saturday, May 24, 2008.

The guided walking tour along the historic Kit Carson Trail features 1800s Victorian-style homes and costumed docents. Stops along tour include:

• Ferris Mansion, home of George Ferris, Jr., inventor of the Ferris Wheel for the Chicago World Columbian Exposition in 1893.
• Orion Clemens House, home Mark Twain’s older brother who served as secretary to Territorial Governor William Nye, was built in 1863 and was called “the Governor's Mansion,” though the real Governor’s Mansion wouldn’t be built until 1909.
• Rinckel Mansion, built by the fortune of Mathias Rinckel, a forward-looking meat magnate who struck it rich supplying Gold Rushers and Lake Tahoe lumbermen.
• Lee House, also known as Judge Clark J. Guild home, Lee, a prominent doctor and surgeon for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, built the home from the lumber of the razed school on the same sites.
• St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, the first in Carson City, which was built in 1871.

Tour guides will tell colorful stories about the buildings and its owners inside the humble, and not-so-humble abodes, of yesteryear.

Other notable characters including Kit Carson, Margaret Ormsby and a Pony Express Rider, will make special appearances from the past. Kit Carson will be at Eagle Station, the site of the first outpost which sold pans and supplies to miners.

There are 12 stops along the specially designed 1.5-mile route with five historic homes welcoming guests inside. Seven of Carson City’s “original” residents will greet tour-goers along the way to tell their semi-fictional stories.

The tours begin at 3rd and South Carson Streets, departing every half hour from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

With the popularity of this annual event, advance reservations are recommended by calling 775-687-7410 or 1-800-NEVADA-1. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children six to 12, and free for those under six. The route is a flat, easy walk, accessible to strollers, which can be left outside the houses open for viewing.

The 2.5-mile Kit Carson Trail, follows a sidewalk route marked by a blue line and inlaid bronze medallions signifying historical points of interest. Annual themed walks along the Trail include the Ghost Walk in late October and the Victorian Home Christmas Tour in early December. Those who prefer a self-guided tour can hear the stories of featured houses and points of interest at any time by downloading the podcasts at www.visitcarsoncity.com/ attractions/kitcarson_talkinghouses.php, by getting the RSS, or by purchasing a refundable $5 CD at the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Complimentary maps of the route are available at the CCCVB.

CARSON CITY PAINTS THE TOWN FOR WINTER WINE AND ALL THAT JAZZ

13th Annual Event Complete with Music, Food, Silent Auction and Wines

(Carson City, Nev.) – There will be plenty of holiday cheer leftover as the Carson Nugget hosts the 13th Annual Winter Wine and All that Jazz event from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26th 2008. Good food, wine, entertainment and prizes make this party a favorite with locals and visitors.

Proceeds from Winter Wine and All That Jazz go to Cancer Advocates for Cancer Care (CACC), which provides prescription and other assistance to cancer patients.

This year, the Carson Nugget will provide a variety of hors d'oeuvres and fresh fruit to accompany the fine wine tastings from more than 40 wineries, including the Rosenblum Winery, which has been recognized by "Wine Spectator" and "Wine & Spirits". The best red and white wines will be judged and awarded.

Silent auction prizes up for bidding include paintings from local artists, hotel getaway packages and a motor scooter!

Russ Lindquist and his 18-piece High Sierra Band will again entertain listeners and dancers with its unique big band-era jazz music.

Tickets are $30 in advance and can be purchased at Mike's Pharmacy (1007 N. Curry St.) and Aloha Wines and Liquors (4555 S. Carson St.). Tickets are $35 at the door.

The Carson Nugget is also currently offering a lodging package that includes a motel room, two restaurant vouchers, four cocktail vouchers, four $1.50 Keno credits and $1 gaming tokens for just $54.50 per night, per couple. For reservations, call 1-800-338-7760.

For Winter Wine and All That Jazz information, please contact Carson Advocates for Cancer Care at 775-883-7477 or J.R. Baird (Event Chairman) at 775-781-0063.

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Nestled between Reno and Lake Tahoe, Carson City boasts an array of fine restaurants, challenging golf courses, historical attractions, museums and gaming opportunities. Visitors will find plenty of open space, fresh mountain air and welcoming residents. For more information regarding any of Carson City’s annual events and attractions, or for room package information, call 775-687-7410 or 1-800-Nevada-1, or visit www.visitcarsoncity.com.