Columnist Barb Henderson: From corner to corner, state ready for its day

Barb Henderson

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

The state of Nevada is gearing up to celebrate its 140th year of statehood.

On Oct. 31, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the union as the 36th state. The state of Nevada honors and celebrates its state holiday and there are celebrations planned in nearly every corner including Las Vegas, Elko and Carson City.

There will be living history demos, refreshments, children's activities and contests, prizes and fun for all. Park fees will be in effect, $3 for adults and $2 for children. More information can be obtained by calling 486-3511.

Other entries include: Elko High School Band of Indians, Girl Scouts, Elko County Sheriffs Posse and others. Parade sponsors include: KELK and the Elko County Sheriffs Posse. For more information on the Elko Nevada Day Parade, call (775) 738-7991.

"We took on this responsibility many years ago. It has become a tradition in more ways than one," said Ron Bowman, president of Nevada Day, Inc.

The 66th Nevada Day Parade, themed Entertainment Nevada Style, will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, with approximately 200 entries, and is estimated to last approximately three hours. Frank Sinatra Jr. has been named the grand marshal by the Nevada Day committee.

Besides the parade, folks can enjoy a variety of other activities.

The Nevada Day Battle Born Golf Tournament, hosted by Silver Oak Golf Club and sponsored by Casino Fandango, takes place on Friday. Tee time has been set for 10 a.m. Categories include: men, women, couples and juniors. The first prize will be a one-year membership to the club along with green fees and cart.

Additional activities include: Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk; the World Championship Rock Drilling Contest; the popular Beard Contest and more. The annual 1864 Grand Ball will be at the historic Piper's Opera House in Virginia City.

For more information on Nevada Day, call the Nevada Day, Inc. office at (775) 882-2600 or (866) NVDAY4U or visit www.nevadaday.com.

I have been invited to be a solo guest on board the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World entry for both the Elko and Carson City Nevada Day parades and, I do mean on board -- a shining new Nitro Bass Boat.

Side note: Bass Pro Shops will be opening its first store in the West on Nov. 16 in Las Vegas, a 165,000-square-foot store that will offer fishing, hunting, camping, marine, sportswear, gifts and more.

After my participation in the first section of the Carson City Nevada Day Parade, I will help out as one of the parade announcers.

For those of you who will be dressing up little goblins for Halloween, why not take this opportunity and educate children about Nevada Day?