Carson City, Nev. – Many celebrations are scheduled throughout the Silver State in the month of October. These Nevada 150 events celebrate all things Nevada and help bring awareness to the 150th Anniversary of Statehood. The following events are held Oct. 16 through 30.
The Vegas Valley Book Festival, Nevada’s largest literary festival, will take place Oct. 16 – 18 in Las Vegas, NV. For the last thirteen years, the festival has served as a celebration of written, spoken, and illustrated word, offering a “one-stop shopping experience for literature.” Each year this festival draws more than 10,000 attendees, and since it’s founding in 2002, the festival has presented over 600 authors and speakers and over 450 events. Call for more details 702-229-5902 or contact them via email at www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org.
On Friday October 17th, come watch the Nevada 150 Pony Express Delivery, on the south steps of the Nevada State Capitol Building in Carson City, NV at 3:30 PM. Pony Express riders will deliver special Proclamations issued in honor of Nevada’s Sesquicentennial by the White Pine, Eureka, Lander, and Churchill County Commissions and hand them off to Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki at the State Capitol Building. For more details call 775-687-0645 or visit www.nevada150.org.
The annual Carson City Ghost Walk will be held Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning on the corner of 3rd and Curry Street in Carson City, NV. Explore and relive Carson City’s rich history by learning about the Victorian Era through lingering spirits of the past, including visiting the inside of at least five different houses. Tours depart every half hour and last about 90-minutes. Ticket cost is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets call 775-348-6279 or visit www.carsoncityghostwalk.com.
The Las Vegas Ultra Marathon Run and Relay will be held on Oct. 18 from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., dependent on the distance you plan on racing, in Floyd Lamb Park in Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas Ultra Marathon has made Nevada’s Sesquicentennial their theme this year, honoring Nevada’s 150 years in the union by having a special 150K Run and Relay. Contestants can run through incredible trails, by the lake, through the Nevada desert and under the stars. For more information or to register visit www.desertskyadventures.com/las-vegas-100 or call 702-241-2044.
A Celebration of Nevada’s 150th Birthday and Festival of Diwali, will be held on Saturday Oct. 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Laxalt Auditorium in Reno, NV. Organized by TACH International, Inc., this event includes a celebration of Nevada’s 150th Birthday and the festival of Diwali together with Music & Dance in association with the Indo-American Community. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.tach.info or call 775-336-9733.
Join the University of Nevada alumni and friends on Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. for the Original 1874 University of Nevada Bell Restoration Dedication at Elko High School in Elko, NV. The University first opened its doors in Elko on Oct. 12, 1874, a century later a dedication was held for a bell monument that was erected as part of the University of Nevada’s Centennial Celebration. The original bell, which sits on the Elko High School campus, is now in need of a refurbished monument since the original wood monument deteriorated. Help rededicate the new brick monument at the location in which higher education began in Nevada, while marking Nevada’s Sesquicentennial and the 140th year of the University of Nevada. For more information or to donate please call 775-397-7536.
Open Spaces and Special Places, an annual benefit will be held Oct. 23 – 26 at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno. The annual benefit art show will run all day at the museum, showcasing local artists and artisans all to support the Nevada Land Trust. Artwork featuring both Nevada and its local artists will be for sale as well as a special section of the show called YEA! that will feature emerging artists in the area. The event includes two receptions, one of which is a closed VIP event for invitees only. The other is free and open to the public, and a portion of the sales of the art goes to the Nevada Land Trust. For more information call (775)-851-5180 or visit www.nevadalandtrust.org.
Join the Silver Stage Players at the Northeastern Nevada Museum Theater in Elko as they help celebrate Nevada’s 150th birthday with their production of Beth Fine’s The Last U.S. Mail Stage Robbery: A Mellerdrammer of Truth & Fiction from Oct. 23 – 25 at 7 p.m. This classic melodrama is inspired by Helen Wilson’s account of the last documented mail stagecoach robbery in the west which took place in Jarbidge, NV. The show is family-friendly and filled with intrigue, murder, and lots of fun! Tickets are only $7 general admission, $5 for seniors and students. The Friday October 31st Nevada Day performance is FREE! For additional information please visit www.silverstage.org or call 775-934-3721.
The Mormons in Northern Nevada: Influence & Historical Significance, with Anita Hicks will take place on Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Downtown Reno Library Auditorium. This program touches on the history and influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Nevada’s history. Anita Hicks was born and raised in the Reno/Sparks area and holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Brigham Young University, and is the author of a forthcoming book about the history of the LDS Church in Nevada. For more information or please visit www.washoecountylibrary.us or call 775-327-8300.
Duke’s Place is an original story and dance production designed, written, and choreographed by Rosine Bena that will take place on Oct. 24 and Nov. 1 at the Carson City Community Center in Carson City, NV. This original production, set in 1940’s and 50’s Reno, presents an important part of Nevada’s history telling the story of a magical reunion between a father and long lost daughter. The cast features 20 professional dancers including former Joffrey Ballet principal, Domingo Rubio, Sierra Nevada Ballet principal, Ananda Bena-Weber, and international tap star, Sam Weber, known as the “fastest feet in Tap.” Another 15 – 20 student dancers and a full 16 piece orchestra with music arranged and conducted by Chuck Reider truly bring the show together. For more information or please visit www.sierranevadaballet.org or call 775-737-9101.
The 5th Annual PDOP Pumpkin Days, a fundraiser for the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, will take place on Oct. 24 – 26 at Ian Deutch Park in Pahrump, NV. Fun activities include a Monster Dash 5K, pumpkin patch, hay rides, hay maze, petting zoo, face painting, and more, including photo opportunities, snacks and hot apple cider. During the week the pumpkin patch is open from 3 – 9 p.m. and on Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Monster Dash 5K will be held Saturday October 25th beginning at 8 a.m. with registration at 7 a.m. Entry is $5 per person or $10 for a wristband to access the event during the entire weekend. For more information visit www.pdop.info/pumpkindays.com or call 702-516-0847.
The Strozzi VFW Post 12108 is hosting the Bullfrog Historical Mining District Poker Run on Oct. 25 in Beatty, NV. This poker run is held in honor of Nevada’s Sesquicentennial, a $25 entry fee for the day includes 1 poker hand and 1 BBQ dinner; all registrants must be 18 or older. For additional information call 775-553-9313 or email beattyvfw@att.net.
Nevadaween is an annual Nevada tradition taking place on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park in Las Vegas. The event celebrates both Nevada Day & Halloween and will include children’s activities, pioneer games, cookie decorating, pumpkin painting & Native American fry bread. A special Costume Contest begins at 10 a.m., the Soup Cook-off begins at 11 a.m., and the Dedication for Charlene Cruze begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $1 and children 12 and under are free. For additional information or please visit www.friendsofthefort.org or call 702-486-3511.
Join thousands of Nevadans and recreational enthusiasts for Get Outdoors Nevada Day on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event takes place at the beautiful Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas, NV. Sample many of the region’s incredible outdoor adventure opportunities, featuring community groups, non-profit organizations, local, state and federal agencies as well as retailers, outfitters and outdoor event promoters. For additional information or please visit www.getoutdoorsnevada.org/day or call 702-997-3350.
Join the Friends of the Fort and the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe in a historic Re-Enactment of the Helen J. Stewart Land Deed on Oct 25 at 12:30 p.m. at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park in Las Vegas. On Dec. 30, 1911 Helen J. Stewart deeded 10 acres of her land to the United States of America for use by the Southern Paiutes. Current dignitaries will represent important people from the past. This activity is part of the Nevadaween celebration at the Old Fort that same day which continues from 9-2 pm. Admission to the park is $1 and children 12 and under are free. For additional information or please visit www.friendsofthefort.org or call 702-486-3511.
Always Lost: A Meditation on War Exhibit will be displayed at the Nevada State Museum at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas until Oct. 27. The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and will include original poetry by Nevada writers; the 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning Iraq War combat photograph collection courtesy of The Dallas Morning News; and the Wall of the Dead, faces and names of U.S. military war casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. Admission to the Museum is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children, and $8.95 for 65+ and those with a military or student ID. Free admission for Nevada State Museum and Springs Preserve members. There is no additional charge to view the exhibit. For more information please visit www.wnc.edu/always_lost/ or call 702-486-5205.
The Nevada 150 Concert will take place on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center in Carson City, Nevada. This Carson City Symphony concert features music composed specifically in honor of Nevada’s history with a chorus, narrators, soloists, and a pre-concert talk that describes the cultural and historic context of the musical selections. Tickets will be $15, with $3 discount for students and seniors, and free for violin students and youth age 16 and under. Visit www.ccsymphony.com or call 775-883-4154 for more details.
The 4th Annual Nevada Day Governor’s Banquet will take place at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV on Oct. 28 beginning at 6 p.m. The gala is a tradition and fundraising event – led by Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval. A portion of the proceeds of this year’s Banquet goes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nevada, in addition to the non-profit Nevada Day, Inc. The evening features; special guest speakers, door prizes, silent auction, live entertainment, a Nevada birthday cake-cutting ceremony and much more. Semi-formal attire suggested. Tickets are $60 per person or $500 for a table of 10. For additional information or to purchase tickets please visit www.NevadaDay.com or call 775-882-2600.
Every Sunday at 2 p.m. through the month of October the Downtown Reno Library is hosting; Reno the Biggest Little City in Hollywood Movie Series. As part of the Nevada 150 celebration this special Sunday movie matinee series features 5 classic films that were filmed in Reno. For more information please visit www.washoecountylibrary.us or call 775-327-8300.
The 36th Star Nevada’s Journey from Territory to State exhibit will be on display the entire month of October all day at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, NV. The exhibit honors the “Battle Born” state with a significant exhibition detailing the journey toward Oct. 31, 1864. This special show features historic treasures from our nation’s capital, including a special 36-hour Nevada Day Weekend presentation of the original Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln, on loan from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and the 175-page transcription of Nevada’s State Constitution. For additional information or please visit www.nevadaart.org/exhibitions/detail?eid=286 or call 775-329-3333.
Join the Nevada Indian Commission for a special Sesquicentennial Honoring Reception for the Centennial Indian Princess Contestants on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Gold Dust West Casino Hotel in Carson City, NV. This event will honor 22 contestants who participated in the Centennial Indian Princess contest that took place on Nevada Day in 1964. The event is open to the public and all are invited to participate. For additional information please visit www.nic.nv.gov or call 775-687-8333.