Nevada Day is a 4-day event

Nevada Day, the celebration of the Silver State’s admission to the Union, is a four-day (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) extravaganza complete with a parade, carnival and beard contest in Carson City.

This year’s theme, Nevada Salutes President Lincoln, celebrates Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday and his push to grant Nevada’s statehood.

The 36th state was admitted to the Union on Oct. 31, 1864.

Activities include:

Oct. 29:

RSVP Carnival, in its 24th consecutive year, provides carnival rides for adults and small children at Mills Park in Carson City. The RSVP Carnival will open at 4pm Thursday and noon, Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Admission is free, with a fee for rides.

Oct. 30:

Folkabilly group Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours will perform at the Brewery Arts Center, Oct. 30-31 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and members.

Oct. 31:

Pancake Breakfasts are available for two worthy causes. The Builder’s Association of Western Nevada features a feast to benefit the Women in Business scholarship and the “Helping Hands program for $6 at Red’s Old 395 Grill from 7-10am. Children under 6 are free. Call (775) 882.4353. The Carson City Republican Women pancake breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion from 7-9:30am gives residents a chance to meet political representatives prior to the parade. Adults are $6 and children under 10 are $3. Proceeds benefit the Carson City High School scholarship fund. Call (775) 884.3011.

20th Annual Carson Nugget Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk will feature hundreds of runners and walkers in Carson City’s historical downtown district. The event includes an 8K run at 8:15am, a two-mile walk at 8:25am and a 2-mile fun run at 8:25am. Registration is $25. All races start from the corner of Telegraph and Curry streets. Proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Call (775) 883.3361.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St., is steaming up an 1888 locomotive for public rides from 10am-4pm. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors 65 and older; $3 for children six to 11; and free for children under 6.

An Air Show to kick off the Nevada Day Parade includes all types of aircraft, including an 8am hot-air balloon launch, followed by a flyover with F-18 Hornets, an F-16 Falcon from Fallon Naval Air Station and C-130 Hercules from the Nevada Air Guard. Parade festivities include marching bands, floats, equestrian groups and historical displays. The parade starts at 10am from William and Carson streets and ends near Stewart and Carson streets. Call (775) 882.2600.

RE/MAX Nevada Day Balloon Launch offers hot-air balloon rides above the parade route for $200 and benefit Nevada Day Inc. Tethered rides in Mills Park on Sunday from 7-11am supporting the Children’s Miracle Network are $5. Sponsorships are available: $300 for two passengers. Sign up by calling (775) 844.1000.

Free admission to the Nevada State Museum, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

A Nevada Day Battle of the Bands will highlight high school marching bands at the Carson City High School field at 3pm. Awards will be given for best overall parade and field with the winners receiving the Governor’s Grand Champion Trophy.

The Mad Hatter Ball is a dance for all ages from 8:30-10pm at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada. Adults tickets are $10 and kids under 16 are free with an adult; otherwise kids are $4 each. Call (775) 830.7939.

The Annual Nevada Day Beard Contest on the steps of the State Capitol immediately follows the parade. Admission and contest entry are free, with winners awarded in the following categories: longest; fullest; reddest; whitest; blackest; best salt and pepper; best groomed; scruffiest; and most bearded community — Carson City’s title for two years running.

The 34th Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest is set for 11:05am at the Carson Nugget west parking lot. Contestants have 10 minutes to drill the deepest hole in Sierra White Granite using 4.5 pound hammers and bits of graduated steel. The contest celebrates the heritage of the Comstock mining days when blast holes for dynamite were punched into ore bodies by hand. Entry fee is $50. Admission is free.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki will host the 27th Annual Chili Feed at the Carson Nugget’s upstairs Banquet Center, from noon-2pm. This free event is an opportunity to meet state and local government leaders. To further the tradition of hospitality, the Governor’s Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St., will be open for tours from noon-4pm.

The 10th Annual Silver State Rumble highlighting live amateur boxing and hosted by Bruno’s Boxing Club, will take place at 3pm at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. Williams St. There are 15 bouts scheduled and admission is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, $5 for kids six-12 and kids under six are free. Call (775) 888.6806.

The Pinewood Derby Race from 1-5pm in the Main Hall of the Carson Mall. Registration is free and begins at 11am. Kits are $4 and can be purchased at any American Family Insurance site. All ages are welcome.

For more information on all Nevada Day events, log onto www.NevadaDay.com or call the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-NEVADA-1.