Official theme of 2007 event - Area 51 - celebrating Nevada's Mysteries

Amelia Calvert, reno.com
December 3, 2008

Nevada Day honors the day Nevada joined the Union, becoming part of the United States of America, Oct. 31, 1864. Traditionally, Nevadans celebrated Nevada Day Oct. 31, until 2000, when Nevada Day's celebration changed to the last Friday of October, creating a three-day weekend celebration of the event.

This year Nevada Day is observed Friday, Oct. 26 with the Nevada Day Parade Saturday, Oct. 27 in Carson City.
Although the parade is an important part of the celebration of Nevada Day, the final week of October in Carson City is devoted to recognizing Nevada heritage with activities and events through the last week of the month.

Area 51
Reg Creasey, president of Nevada Day organization, said the parade has about 190 entries so far and some are really spectacular. Grand Marshal of this year's parade is George Knapp, of Las Vegas, who has done extensive investigative work on Area 51, and members of the Roadrunners Internationale organization will be on hand during Nevada Day celebration. The Roadrunners is a collection of retired Area 51 employees, including military, CIA, Air Force and others who worked on the U-2 and A-12 spyplanes and other top-secret projects.

The whole Area 51 theme came about when organizers began discussing all the 'wondrous' mysteries of Nevada - sparking an idea for a series for future Nevada Day celebrations over the next few years, highlighting the little-known mysteries of Nevada.


What's new this year?
Two events will make their inaugural appearance in the Nevada Day festivities, Creasey said. New to this year's Nevada Day celebration is the Pinewood Derby. Organizers have had a tremendous response from this event after circulating flyers out to the area schools advertising the Derby. They are expecting a big turnout, Creasey said.

Also, 2007 will feature the USSBA Reno-Tahoe Regional Battle of the Bands. Since the Nevada Celebration changed from one day to a three-day weekend in 2000, organizers have been trying to recruit more marching bands for the parade.

This year, Nevada Day will feature Battle of the Bands at 5 p.m. Saturday, following the parade. Creasey said the parade will feature 12 bands, 9 high school bands and three middle school bands. And after the parade, 11 high school bands will compete in a field competition at Carson High School, complete with formations and uniforms.

Some of the other 2007 Nevada Day highlights include:
Oct. 20: The Kit Carson Trail Ghost Walk, a walking tour of historic homes. Tour departs every half-hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the St. Charles Hotel, center of Third and Carson streets. Adults:$15, children 6-12, $10.

Oct. 21: Carson City Symphony Concert, performing Steven Rosenhaus' The Nevada Bagatelles 4 p.m. at the Carson Community Center, 851 E.Williams St., admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, youth to age 16, free.

Oct. 25-28: Carnival and Celebration at Mills Park, Highway 50, all-day passes available.

Oct. 26: Pow-Wow at the Colony Gym, 2900 S. Curry St.; traditional food, crafts, dance, art.

Battle Born Golf Tournament 10 a.m., Silver Oaks Golf Course, 1251 Country Club Drive; $100 per person.

Fireworks Extravaganza, 8:30 p.m. at Silver Oaks Country Club.

Saturday, Oct. 27
Run-Walk for Special Olympics, Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson,
8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost $25.

The Nevada Day Parade, begins 8 a.m. with air balloon lift-off, weather permitting, followed by the fly over of Navy, Nevada Air National Guard and Nevada Army National Guard aircraft fly-over, which signals the beginning of the parade.

The parade route begins at Williams Street and Highway 50 and ends at Stewart and Carson streets.

The Pinewood Derby, registration begins 11 a.m. at the amphitheater on the legislative grounds. Races 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and for ages 6 and older. Entry is free and kits are $4. Kits are available at American Family Insurance offices in Carson City.

The Battle of the Bands will begin around 5 p.m. at Carson High School, 1111 Saliman Road, featuring contests from area marching bands.

Mad Hatter Ball featuring a live caller and music of Wild Sage, 7 - 10 p.m., Brewery Arts Center Ballroom, 449 W. King St., Carson City; $10 in advance, $12 at the door. $6 for kids.

1864 Grand Ball - Piper's Opera House in Virginia City, 12 North B. Street; 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. period or formal dress; ticket information (775)847-0433.

For more information
For a complete schedule of events, open the Nevada Day's official schedule here.

For information about the Roadrunners Internationale, visit www.roadrunnersinternationale.com.

For more details about Nevada Day, visit the official website www.nevadaday.com.