Dayton Valley Days celebrates Italian heritage

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 11:53 a.m.

The Italian heritage theme will be carried through with spaghetti sauce competition, bocce ball, spaghetti-slurping contests and a wine and cheese tasting.

Ricci, 30, the grand marshal of the parade, is the third generation managing the family ranch along the east side of the Carson River.

Settled in the 1860s as one of the oldest farms in the Lyon County community, the Ricci's land has yielded alfalfa hay and a rich array of produce over the years as well as been a successful cattle and sheep operation.

"Living on the land and caring for it has been very rewarding to our family for a long time, as it has for other families here," Ricci said.

"It's hard work but it's also a way of life that includes many benefits. And people here really care about each other. If someone is in need, everyone pulls together and helps out."

Ricci's grandfather Bernardo established the Ricci Ranch about 1900. At the time, about two dozen ranches in the area were owned by Italian-American families. Later, Joe Ricci Sr., took control of the operation.

Produce from the ranch was marketed in Dayton, Carson City, and Virginia City. Also, it was shipped by rail as far as Tonopah and Goldfield.

Commitment to family and community was a hallmark of Dayton's pioneers, and it's in that spirit organizers decided on an Italian heritage theme for this year's celebration.

Events during the two-day celebration include a crafts show with at least 70 vendors and a senior pro rodeo with about 190 entries.

Joe Ricci operates the 200-acre Ricci Road ranch with his mother, Grace Ricci.

Grace said her father came to Fallon from Italy in 1907 and was able to set up a farm as part of the Homestead Act. Her mother arrived in 1910.

In 1949 and 1950, Grace was working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Fallon. The agency moved its offices to Carson City and she moved too. She and Joe Ricci Sr., were married in 1953.

The senior Ricci, who died in 1993, was a longtime Lyon County commissioner.