Las Vegas Sun

November 10, 2009

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Nevada Day draws crowd and horses

Monday, Nov. 1, 1999 | 9:56 a.m.

The four-hour parade drew 241 participants, including eight Budweiser Clydesdale horses and most of the state's major elected officials.

The parade celebrated the 135th anniversary of Nevada's statehood.

Parade board Chairman Joe Dilonardo, who had predicted a record crowd of 100,000 people, said he was disappointed that more people did not attend.

But he expects a bigger crowd next year because of a new state law that will turn Nevada's birthday into a three-day festival on the last weekend of October.

The three-day weekend celebration was approved by Nevada voters in November. Under the action, Friday will always be a holiday for state employees, while the parade will be held on Saturdays.

John Turcich of Jack's Valley in Douglas County, who watched the parade, is a great believer in celebrating state history.

"Nevada is one of the few states that openly celebrates its birthday," he said. "It's important to know the history of your state, even it is your adopted home."

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