Tag: halloween

It was another successful Halloween on the west side of Carson City. We hit all the same houses and saw all the same decorations, but even though things change little from year to year there is a refreshing familiarity to it all. Some of the houses on the west side really go all out with the decorations, and it makes the whole thing much more fun than just trick or treating in an ordinary neighborhood.

One thing we noticed, though, is that the Governor's Mansion is a lot less exciting now that Jim Gibbons is in office. The governor was there, handing out candy and posing for photographs, just like Kenny Guinn used to do. But the whole atmosphere around the mansion was subdued. There use to be music, and dancing, and elaborate decorations, and a feeling like this was really something special. Now there's just as many people there, but the decorations are lackluster, there's no music so it's quiet, and the place just feels like the life is gone from it. It was like that last year too, Gibbons' first Halloween in the mansion, and this year was even more pronounced. The family and staff just don't put as much into Halloween as the Guinns used to, and the experience suffers for it.

Here's some video of this year's decorations.

The Nevada Appeal has a guide to some of the upcoming Halloween/Nevada Day events coming up over the couple of weeks. They also have a look at Halloween night, where First Lady Dawn Gibbons will be handing out candy at the Governor's Mansion, even though she and the governor are in the middle of divorce proceedings.

Plus the Travel Nevada blog brings this video of last year's Nevada Day parade.

It's time to start getting excited for Halloween! Many of the houses on Carson City's west side, including the "hot spot" along Mountain Street between Musser and Caroline, have put up their decorations already. Less than two weeks now until the big day!

Once again we had a blast trick-or-treating in Carson City, in the historic district surrounding the Governor's Mansion. My mother-in-law said it was too crowded for her, but I like going down there, with the endless throngs of people parading up and down Mountain Street. The decorations are the best you're going to find anywhere in town, the Governor's Mansion itself is all lit up, and there's a party atmosphere across the whole neighborhood. Going trick-or-treating anywhere else would just seem too boring and lifeless.

So sit back and enjoy this photo journey through Halloween 2007, West Side style.

The former Mt Cyanide Hospital was transformed this year into the School For Ghouls.

A merry bunch of trick-or-treaters.

The Governor's Mansion is the heart of the festivities. It always attracts the biggest crowds, most of them there to trick-or-treat with the actual Governor. There is also live music playing to entertain the throngs, and keep the atmosphere lively.

This is Governor Gibbons' first year in the mansion, and he stood on the porch taking pictures just like Governor Kenny used to do. But I noticed the line to meet him was a lot smaller this year than it had been in the past. Sucks to have low approval ratings.

The band played on.

Dave Morgan was spotted, filming video to be used on NewsCarsonCity.com.

I love the colors you get at Halloween. Everything is purple and yellow and green and orange.

Watch for killer clowns dropping from trees.

This mad scientist was experimenting on his latest "patient".

Even the dogs got into the Halloween spirit.

They're not bad guys, they just want to roast some marshmallows.

Jack Skellington, all eight feet of him, made a brief appearance.

This band of pirates never got to enjoy their treasure.

Gateway to Hell? Certainly, sir. Right through here.

To see all of my Halloween pictures (including some of the kids) just follow this link to Flickr.

The Nevada Appeal has a list of Halloween events happening tonight in Carson City and Virginia City, and the Record Courier has the list for Minden-Gardnerville.

Myself, I'll be in the Governor's neighborhood as usual. Best decorations around.