Nevada celebrates 154th birthday with parade and full slate of activities

Nevada's celebration of statehood provides for a bevy of activities that showcase the Silver State's best. From contests to exhibits, food and beverages of all kinds, Native dancing, hot air balloons, concerts, a carnival celebration at Mills Park and the famed Nevada Day parade, there is something for everyone throughout the long weekend.

Here's a schedule of events:

Ongoing

68th ANNUAL NEVADA DAY ART EXHIBIT AT NAA’S BAC GALLERY
The 68th Annual Nevada Day Art Exhibit at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery will be held from October 21 - November 30. The NAA Gallery is located at the Brewery Art Center at 449 West King Street. There will be an Artists Reception on Sunday November 4th from 2 - 4pm which is open to all. The NAA gallery is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m - 4:00 pm.

Thursday - Sunday, October 25 – 28, 2018
RSVP NEVADA DAY CARNIVAL MILLS PARK IN CARSON CITY

Carnival rides for adults and children, live music, food booths, craft vendors and more. Hours: 10/25 5pm - 9pm; 10/26-27: 1pm - 9pm; 10/28: 1pm - 8pm.

All-day ride wristbands are $30; $5 Discount Coupons available at RSVP website, RSVP office, & RSVP Beer Booth. Proceeds assist seniors to help them remain independent and at home with dignity.

Carnival Thurs-Sunday: Thursday All Rides $1, Family night; DJ Friday 2 pm-8 pm; Sunday, 1pm-7pm; Live Music by KrossRoads Saturday, 3pm-6pm. To learn more, visit www.nevadaruralrsvp.org.

NEVADA DAY STORE
Features Nevada and Battle Born Logo Wear, Home Means Nevada, local pottery, jewelry, authors, and more. Located at 716 N. Carson St., open Mon-Sat 9am – 5pm. Home Means Nevada will have their booth out front of the store on Friday October 26th from 12:00 to 5:00 and 9am-1pm on Parade Day. Also, at Telegraph Square area near Curry and Proctor.

Friday, October 26, 2018
HISTORICAL EASTSIDE TOUR

Join Bernie Allen and Eileen Cohen on Friday Oct. 26, 2018 at 10:00am as they lead you on a two mile walking tour of the historical east side of Carson City. This free tour begins at the Capitol steps and continues to the location of the former children’s home, which was also the site of the 1897 Corbett Fitzsimmons heavyweight title fight. The tour also includes a visit to the site of the former V&T Railroad shops as well as many other historic locations. For more info call Bernie at 775-883-7264.

HISTORICAL WESTSIDE TOUR
This free tour begins at 1:30pm in the front courtyard of the Nevada State Museum. Explore the historic Westside of Carson City where many notable residents have lived. These include Abraham Curry, Orion Clemens and his brother, Samuel, Duane Bliss, William Stewart, James Nye, Dat-So-La-Lee and many others including the Governor’s Mansion. This approximately 90 minute walking tour will highlight the homes, churches and schools of early Carson City. Most of this area is also an historic district with other beautiful historic homes all along the way. For more information, call Debbie Lane at 775-841-4456.

SIXTH ANNUAL BLINKY MAN BIKE RIDE
Blinky Man is a nighttime bike ride through the streets of Carson City. Participants dress up in costumes and decorate their bicycles with colorful lights, and they ride together to five different stops. This year’s event starts Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at The Tap Shack, 112 Rice Street. The ride will leave at 7 p.m., going first to McFadden Plaza, then past the Governor’s Mansion on Mountain Street, then east on Long Street to The Feisty Goat. From there, riders will take a scenic ride through Mills Park on the way to the Westside Pour House on Telegraph Square, and then finishing at Living the Good Life on North Carson Street. Anyone with a bicycle that is properly lighted for night riding is free to participate. For more info, go to Facebook.com/BlinkyManCC.

Friday & Saturday, October 26-27, 2018

NEVADA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM
Located at South Carson Street & Fairview Drive, the museum is open Thursday through Monday, 9 am to
4:30 pm.
In honor of Nevada Day, FREE admission all day Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27, 2018! The museum also offers McKeen Motor Car rides October 28-29, from 10am to 4pm. Ride tickets: $8 for ages 12+; $4 for ages 4-11 yrs; free for 3 and younger. Purchase ride tickets at the Wabuska Depot at the Museum. For more info call 775-687-6953 or visit museums.nevadaculture.org/nsrmcc.

NEVADA STATE MUSEUM
The Nevada State Museum – located at 600 N. Carson Street in Carson City. The museum celebrates Nevada’s natural and cultural history and features the historic Carson City Mint. The Historic Press Number 1 will be running and minting medallions. Museum open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. In honor of Nevada Day, the Nevada State Museum is offering FREE admission all day Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27, 2018. Regular Museum Admission other days: $8 for adults; FREE for 17 & younger and for museum members. For more information call 775-687-4810 or visit museums.nevadaculture.org/nsmcc.

Friday - Sunday, October 26 -28, 2018
NEVADA DAY POW WOW

Friday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Pow Wow starts at 2:00 pm), Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Nevada Day Pow Wow will take place at The MAC, located at 1860 Russell Way in Carson City, and will feature music, hand games and bone hog tournaments, horseshoe tournaments, Carson Indian Bowling tournaments, and more. Featuring Alyssa Song as the Royalty Princess. The Gold Dust West and Carson Plaza Hotel are both offering promotional rate deals for those attending the Nevada Day Pow Wow tournaments.

For general information, please call Martin Montgomery at 775-450-9655, or Rebecca Gomez at 775-450-3612.

Saturday, October 27, 2018
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT GOVERNOR’S MANSION
A Nevada Day tradition, the pancake breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion (606 N. Mountain St.) is hosted by the Carson City Republican Women’s Club and takes place from 7:00-9:30 am on parade day. Cost is $6 for Adults and $3 for Kids 10 and younger. Proceeds go towards a scholarships of $2,000 to a deserving senior from Carson or Dayton High School.

Breakfast includes: pancakes, eggs, ham, orange juice and coffee. The Governor is often available for photos. You might even spot surprise celebrities and famous political guests at this annual Carson City tradition! For more info visit www.ccrwclub.com or call Mary Burgoon, 775-315-0993.

NEVADA BUILDERS WOMEN’S COUNCIL PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT RED’S OLD 395 GRILL

Join Red’s and the NBA Women’s Council for the 19th Annual Pancake Breakfast beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Red’s Old 295 Grill is located at 1055 South Carson Street.

Enjoy a full breakfast buffet of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, coffee, orange juice and cocoa. Red’s famous Bloody Marys available at the bar. Proceeds go to the NBA Women’s Council Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to all four community colleges in our great state. Tickets are $6 per person and can be purchased at the door or, new this year, buy in advance online at www.nevadabuilders.org and avoid the wait! For more info, call 775-887-0395.

Nevada Day Parade Pancake Breakfast hosted by Carson Lodge No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons, 7 a.m. Nevada Day Parade for a Pancake Breakfast at Carson Lodge No. 1 Free & Accepted Masons, 113 E Washington St, Carson City, Nevada In the former V&T Railroad depot (yellow building). Cost is only $5, please pay at the door.

29TH ANNUAL NEVADA DAY CLASSIC RUN/WALK

The Classic starts and finishes in historic downtown Carson City, Nevada. All racers finish just before the start of the Nevada Day Parade with 1000’s of people lining Carson Street to cheer them on.

Costumes are encouraged - and the best are rewarded!

• DATE: October 27, 2018

• LOCATION: Start and finish on Carson St. in front of the Carson Nugget

• TIME: 8:00 am Start for All Races.

• PACKET PICKUP: Starts at 6 am if you didn’t get yours on Friday

Course Description

Both are flat and fast road courses through the streets of west Carson City.

For more information visit www.tahoemtnmilers.org

RE/MAX NEVADA DAY BALLOON LAUNCH

Watch the majesty of hot air balloons launching right on Carson Street near the Carson Mall beginning at 8:00am on parade day (weather permitting).. The balloons fly for about an hour and are usually down before the parade even starts. The launch operates under the assistance of the Great Reno Balloon Race. Team RE/MAX flies their signature hot air balloon, along with many other balloons.

NEVADA DAY PARADE

The military fly-over will signal the start of the parade, which begins at William Street and N. Carson Street, and ends 4 hours later at the intersection of Stewart Street and S. Carson Street. The parade features marching bands, floats, equestrian groups, political candidates, historical displays, burning man art cars, and much more. Full list of parade entries and information: http://nevadaday.visitcarsoncity.com/. Parade begins at 10 a.m.

CARSON VICTORY ROLLERS BATTLE FOR NEVADA

It’s the first annual Battle For Nevada, with roller derby teams coming from every corner of state to battle it out. Watch the teams in the parade and then come to the Carson City Community Center for a free weekend of roller derby. Doors open at noon on Saturday, first game at 1 p.m.

NEVADA DAY BEARD CONTEST

Held immediately following the parade, the Beard Contest takes place on the main stage at McFadden Plaza There is no entry fee, the contest is open to anyone with a beard. Award categories include: best overall winner, longest, fullest, reddest, whitest, blackest, best salt and pepper, best groomed, scruffiest, and most bearded community. The American Tea Mistresses International will be present at the Beard Contest and will be offering photos opportunities with the commuity. Learn more at www.nevadaday.com.

45TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLE JACK DRILLING CONTEST

The World Championship Single Jack Rock Drilling Contest takes place on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in its new location: Max Casino parking lot on North Carson St. The competition begins around 11 am. Contestants use 4 1/2 pound hammers and a 3/4” bit of steel to drill as deep and as fast as they can in a 4,320 pound piece of Sierra White Granite from the Yosemite area (the hardest known granite in the region). Contestants have 10 minutes to pound the drills into the solid stone. Their only help is from an assistant who runs water into the hole so the loose stone chips are splashed out with every stroke of the hammer. The deepest hole wins.

The contest goes back to the Comstock mining skills of earlier times, when blast holes for dynamite were punched into ore bodies by hand. Contestants vie for a chance at a World Champion title. To learn more visit www.NevadaDay.com.

GOVERNOR’S MANSION TOURS

Tours of the Governor’s Mansion (606 N. Mountain St.), take place after the parade from 2-4 pm. Tour the upstairs and downstairs of the home where Nevada’s Governors and their families have lived since 1909 – the current home to Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and his family. For more info, call 775-687-3000.

34th ANNUAL CHILI FEED

This is the fourth year U.S. Senator Dean Heller will host the annual Chili Feed at the Carson Nugget’s upstairs Banquet Center (507 North Carson St.) on parade day from Noon-2pm. Admission is free. So arrive early for the popular event! Enjoy free chili with all the fixin’s . It’s a great opportunity meet old and new friends, plus chat with federal, state, and local leaders. More info available at NevadaDay.com, or contact Senator Heller’s office at (775) 686-5770.

TELEGRAPH SQUARE BLOCK PARTY

Join old and new friends and dance to the music of “The Trippin King Snakes” from 3-6 pm in Telegraph Square (at Telegraph & Curry Streets), sponsored by the Westside Pourhouse. Enjoy free live music, plus visit food and drink vendors and nearby businesses.

NEVADA DAY FREE CONCERT

The Capital City Community Band opens its 42nd season with a free concert of patriotic and Halloween favorites on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at 2 pm at the Legislative Mall Amphitheater.

The concert will also feature a passing of the baton from the organizing director, Richard Doede, to the bands new director, Nick Jacques. Be sure to head over to the family-friendly event after the parade. Lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged. For more information, visit cccb.weebly.com.

Sunday, October 28, 2018
Carson City Parks Foundation to host Sunday open house at Wungnema House in Mills Park. Looking for something different to do after all the Nevada Day celebrating? Want something a little more laidback for your Sunday afternoon? Drop by that small stone house on east side of Mills Park, opposite Carson High; it’s the Wungnema House. The house is open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission charge, although donations are always welcome.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018
TRICK-OR-TREATING IN CARSON CITY & THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION

The OFFICIAL night for trick-or-treating in Carson City this year is Wednesday, October 31st. Stop by the Governor’s Mansion (606 N. Mountain St.) where Governor Sandoval and the First Lady will hand out candy from 5-8 pm.