Outdoors with Don Q: Time to Celebrate Nevada Day 2012

As an "Old Timer" who was born and raised in Carson City, the Nevada Day celebration has always been something special in my life.
Through many years of living in Carson City, I have enjoyed many of the activities associated with the celebration of our state's admission to the Union, way back on October 31, 1864.

My fondest memories are of the annual Nevada Day Parade and this year that event will be held on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 10 a.m. That parade will start at William Street and end at Stewart Street.

1. Go early, go early, go early to stake out a location to watch the parade.
2. Carson Street will be jam packed with parade viewers, and if you procrastinate, you will be standing in a second or third row of elbow-to-elbow people, who got there, way ahead of you.
3. If you go to Carson Street, super early, be advised that Team ReMax will be flying its hot air balloon, along with others, along the length of the street, beginning at about 8:00 a.m.
4. A military plane fly over at 10:00 a.m. will signal the start of the parade.
5. I would suggest finding a viewing place on the east side of the street, where the sun will be shining, in the event that the day is cold and raw.
6. Many parade viewers take folding chairs to sit on during the almost two hours of watching all kinds of national, state and local politicians, marching bands from everywhere, different kinds of floats, equestrian groups (AKA horses, horses and more horses), cars, clowns, frontier clad people, costumed characters, historical displays, etc., etc., etc.
Being seated is a comfortable way to see everything, right in front of you.
7. Last but not least, here is an important tip: Don't forget to take a camera to take all kinds of photos for your personal scrapbook or album of the parade entries and/or activities that you want to remember.

In addition to my personal favorite of the annual parade, the Nevada Day celebration will also feature:

Thursday, Oct. 25:
The Nevada Day Governor's Banquet at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno with proceeds going to Gold Star Families and Blue Star Mothers of Nevada, honoring veterans, fallen soldiers and active-duty military personnel. Tickets are $45 per person and doors open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m.
For information or to buy tickets, go to www.help.nevadaday.com.

Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 25-Oct. 28:
The 27th Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Nevada Day Fair at Mills Park with all kinds of carnival rides for adults and children.
The fair is open to the public 4:00-10:00 p.m. on Oct. 25-26, and noon-10:00 p.m. on Oct.27-28.
For information, go to www.NevadaDay.com.

Friday, Oct. 26:
Historical tour of the east side of Carson City.
It is a two-mile walk that begins at 10:00 a.m. at the front steps of the State Capital, and it includes visiting the location of the former children's home for orphans, the site of the Corbett-Fitzsimmons prize fight, the site of the former V&T railroad shops, etc. For information, call Bernie Allen at 883-7264.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk races beginning at the corner of Telegraph Street and Curry Street in downtown Carson City. An 8K run begins at 8:00 a.m. and a 2-mile walk and a 2-mile fun run both begin at 8:10 a.m.
Registration is $35 per person until Oct. 25 or $40 the day of the event. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics.
For information, call 882-04210.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
A pancake breakfast at the Governor's mansion, hosted by the Carson City Republican Women's Club. The breakfast will be held 7:00-9:30 a.m. and the cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children with proceeds benefitting Carson High School and Dayton High School. For information, call 841-4183.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest, beginning at 11:05 a.m. in the Carson Nugget's west parking lot (across from the casino). There is an entry fee of $50 per competitor with a grand prize of $2,000.
The competitors will be trying to drill the deepest hole in a slab of granite by using hammers and bits for 10 minutes. For information, go to www.NevadaDay.com.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
Nevada Day Beard Contest immediately after the parade.
It will be held just south of the steps to the State Capital, with prizes for the longest, fullest, reddest, whitest, blackest, best salt and pepper combo, best groomed, scruffiest and the most bearded community.
For information, go to www.NevadaDay.com.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
Governor's mansion tour at 606 North Mountain Street - 2:00-4:00 p.m.
For information, call 687-3000.

Saturday, Oct. 27:
Nevada State Railroad Museum train rides on the south end of Carson City.
Ticket prices are $10 for anyone 12 and over, $5 for ages 4-11 and free for ages 3 and under. Tickets will be for sale at the Depot at the Museum. For information, call 687-6953.

Finally:
If none of those Nevada Day activities appeal to you, then I suggest that you spend the day in bed, pouting as a "Miserable Old Grump."
For the rest of you, have a happy and fun filled Nevada Day Celebration.
See ya at the parade!

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you what happens in many neighborhoods near Carson Street on the morning of the parade.
If he grins and says, the streets on the east and west sides of Carson Street from Bath Street to William Street are the staging areas for many of the entries in the parade," he probably lives in one of those older neighborhoods.

— Writer Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor South Tahoe Now and www.CarsonNow.org. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com