Nevada Day, a four-day celebration of the Silver State’s admission to the Union in 1864, will recognize “100 Years of Aviation in Nevada.” The centennial marks the history-making flight of daredevil pilot Ivy Baldwin just west of Carson City – at elevation 4,675 feet the highest at that time.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dick Rutan of the U.S. Air Force will serve as grand marshal for the 2010 celebration. A modern day aviation pioneer, Rutan is known for piloting the first nonstop unrefueled flight around the world in 1986 and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002. He flew 325 missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and a Purple Heart.

Currently, he is flying a Berkut, a homebuilt, experimental airplane with hopes to establish additional world records, while breaking some of his own.

Nevada Day festivities will include family activities with history, live music, contests, dining events, parades and carnivals.

Details:

Oct. 28

· RSVP Carnival will provide carnival rides for adults and children at Mills Park in Carson City. The RSVP Carnival will open at 4pm Thursday and noon Oct. 29–31. Admission is free, with a fee for rides.

Oct. 29

· The Carson Nugget hosts the Grand Marshal Dinner beginning at 6pm with a social and cocktail hour followed by a buffet dinner at 7pm. After dinner the grand marshal, Dick Rutan, treats guests to a presentation highlighting his many accomplishments. Tickets are $30. (775) 882.2600

Oct. 30

· A Pancake Breakfast will be hosted by the Carson City Republican Women’s Club 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 Carson City High School and Dayton High School. (775) 884.3011

· An Air Show will include all types of aircraft, including an 8am hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting), followed by a flyover of F-18 Hornets and an F-16 Falcon from Fallon Naval Air Station and a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane from the Nevada Air Guard. The flyover will signal the start of the Nevada Day Parade at 10am. Parade festivities feature marching bands, floats, equestrian groups and historical displays. The parade starts at William St. and Carson St. and ends at the intersection of Stewart and Carson streets. (775) 882.2600