Nevada celebrates its 137th birthday

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001 | 8:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada celebrates its 137th birthday this three-day weekend with a series of events including a giant parade, games, a carnival, parties and concerts.

Friday is a holiday, with state and local government offices closed. And schools will be out.

The state was admitted to the Union on Oct. 31 and the festivities were traditionally held on that day until the 1999 Legislature made the last weekend in October a three-day holiday. Most of the events will be held on Saturday.

State archivist Guy Rocha says that with the exception of Hawaii, Nevada has the only admission day activity of its kind in the country. The celebration is centered in Carson City.

One of the big attractions is the parade down the main street Saturday, lasting more than two hours and featuring floats, marching bands, beauty queens, horses and politicians. It's been held continuously since 1938.

Thousands are expected to line the streets to watch the more than 200 entries.

This year's theme is "Where the Past Meets the Future" and the grand marshals are Ed Blanchard, Joe Foster, Mike Shaughnessy, Jean Stokke and Bill Dolan, who have worked in past years putting together the celebration.

As the parade starts, there is a scheduled flyover of FA-18 Hornets from the Fallon Naval Air Station. And an hour after the parade starts, it will halt for two minutes of silence and the Star Spangled Banner will be played in memory of all those who died or were injured in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11.

Nevada Day President Virginia Nuzum said, "We should come together as Americans and despite the recent unhappy events, we should move forward with resolve and with our lives."

The weather forecast for Saturday is for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 60s.

The festivities kick off Friday night with the 1864 Grand Ball with some of those attending wearing 1860s hoop-skirted ball gowns, tuxes or civil war uniform.

Events on Saturday include a pancake breakfast at the governor's mansion, the traditional Nevada Day Classic Run-Walk, the parade, the 29th annual world championship rock drilling contest, a free chili feed sponsored by Gov. Kenny Guinn and state Treasurer Brian Krolicki, the Marine Corps band concert, beard judging contest, boxing matches and parties.

On Sunday there will be all terrain vehicle barrel racing and handcar races at the Nevada State Railroad Museum.

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