Celebrate Like a Local: Nevada Day Weekend in Carson City
As the end of October approaches, people find themselves in a whirlwind of activities, from Halloween decorating, kids’ testing schedules, parties with friends, holiday planning, and more. With everything going on, you could use an escape—and Nevada Day celebrations in Carson City is the answer. Whether you need a quick trip or you’re planning to revel in the weekend-long festivities, we’re thrilled to unveil the exciting events that await you.
Nevada’s history in a nutshell
Nevada’s history is a testament to its resilience and patriotic spirit. It became a state on October 31, 1864, amidst the turbulence of the Civil War, earning the nickname the “Battle Born State.” Its rapid path to statehood was driven by a deep commitment to the Union. The legendary Comstock Lode silver strike in the mid-1800s ushered in an era of prosperity, drawing people from around the world to Nevada in search of opportunity.
Today, Nevada proudly stands as a symbol of freedom and exploration. Celebrating Nevada Day is not just a commemoration of its statehood, but an opportunity to delve into the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of the region.
Your epic guide to enjoying Nevada Day
Live like a local for a weekend or a day! We’ve got the inside scoop on all of the events taking place in Carson City for Nevada Day Weekend.
Friday, October 28, 2023
Tour the historical east side of Carson City
Join Bernie Allen and Donna McLaren on Fri., Oct. 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. for a free two-mile walking tour of the historical east side of Nevada’s capital. Meet your hosts on the Capitol steps and explore various locations, including the former children’s home (which was also the site of the 1897 Corbett Fitzsimmons heavyweight title fight).
Fishers, unite for the Tie-A-Thon
The Carson Fly Fishing Club is holding a Tie–A-Thon to tie flies as part of a fundraising event. The flies will be used by the High Sierra Fly Casters to help cancer patients and veterans through their programs: Reel Kids, Reel Recovery and Reel Vets. This event will take place at the Silver City RV Resort from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
Visit the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum
Nevada State Museum will be offering free admission on October 27 and the following day, October 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Coin Press No. 1 minting demonstrations and interpretive talks in the historic Mint from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday only. The Friends of the Nevada State Museum will be serving hot chocolate and baked goods during the Nevada Day Parade.
Visit their website to learn more: www.carsonnvmuseum.org.
You can also receive free admission into the Nevada State Railroad on October 27 and October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30.p.m. As a special Nevada Day Weekend treat, the museum will be operating the McKeen Motor Car from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm each day.
Check out the fare prices and more details on Nevada State Railroad Museum’s website: www.carsonrailroadmuseum.org.
Tune into Spirits & Spirits: Presentation by Janice Oberding on Folklore and Ghosts
Curious about the Silver State’s railroad background, folklore, and ghostly encounters? Join us for this special event on October 27 at 5:30 p.m. to understand the part the railroad played in Nevada’s rich history.
General admission tickets are $35 and tickets for members of the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum are $30.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Eat a pancake breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion
A classic Nevada Day tradition, the pancake breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion is hosted by the Carson City Republican Women’s Club from 7:00 – 9:30 a.m. on parade day. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, ham, orange juice and coffee. Keep an eye out—the Governor may be available for photos as well as surprise celebrities and famous
political guests!
Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for kids 10 and younger. Proceeds go towards a scholarship that will be gifted to a deserving senior from Carson or Dayton High School.
For more info visit www.ccrwclub.com.
Walk or run in the 35th Annual Nevada Day Classic
Locals love the Nevada Day Classic, an 8K walk/run through the beautiful, historic West Side of Carson City and a homestretch to the finish line down the main drag. Since Nevada Day Weekend takes place around the Halloween weekend, participants and spectators alike are encouraged to wear costumes. So come one, come all!
All runners of all distances will receive a custom wooden medal, and the first 300 runners that register are guaranteed a t-shirt.
The Nevada Day Classic is organized by the Tahoe Mountain Milers in partnership with Guide Dog for the Blind, Kaia Fit, Delta Gamma and Lynn Mentzer Timing.
To register for either race, visit https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=105179.
Watch the hot air balloons in amazement at the RE/MAX Nevada Day Balloon Launch
We just can’t get enough of hot air balloons in northern Nevada! This balloon launch takes place a month after the annual Great Reno Balloon Race. Watch all of the hot air balloons launch right on Carson Street starting at 8:00 a.m. on parade day (weather permitting). The balloons fly for about an hour and are usually down before the parade starts.
Team RE/MAX flies their signature hot air balloon, along with many others.
Sit or stand as the Nevada Day Parade passes through the heart of Carson City
The military flyover will signal the start of the parade at 10 a.m., which begins at William Street and N. Carson Street. Locals and visitors alike will celebrate the history and culture of Nevada for four hours as marching bands, floats, equestrian groups, Burning Man art, classic cars and much more make their way through the Carson City streets.
View a list of parade entries in the parade program or online at Carson Now.
Have a beard? Check out the Nevada Day Beard Contest after the parade
Head to the Beard Contest hosted by both Cipriani’s Downtown Barber Shop and Paradise Salon Spa Wellness immediately following the parade. It takes place on the main stage at McFadden Plaza (3rd St). There is no entry fee; in fact, the contest is open to anyone with a beard! Award categories include best overall winner, longest beard, fullest beard, reddest/whitest/blackest beards, best groomed, scruffiest and more.
Come to a truly unique event: the 50th Anniversary of the World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest
The World Championship Single Jack Rock Drilling Contest takes place around 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, at the Carson Mall parking lot. Men and women contestants use 4-1/2 pound hammers and a 3/4” bit of steel to drill as deep and as fast as they can in a 4,320 pound piece of Sierra White Granite from the Yosemite area (aka, the hardest known granite in the region). Contestants have 10 minutes to pound the drills into the solid stone with the deepest hole marking the winner. Those participating will have a chance to earn a World Champion title.
This contest is a true flashback of Nevada’s history, going back to the Comstock mining day when blast holes for dynamite were punched into ore bodies by hand.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Lend a hand at the Post-Nevada Day Trash Mob
Help us take care of our environment after the Nevada Day Weekend celebrations. Nevada Day Inc.’s team will meet at the parking lot at the intersection of 3rd Street and Curry Street at 8 a.m. to tidy up downtown Carson City after the parade.
Events happening all weekend long
Participate in the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt
The Nevada Day Treasure Hunt is a time-honored tradition for many families throughout the area. Put your mind to the test as you decipher clues throughout each day to uncover the secret location of the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Medallion. If found before October 31, you could receive a cash prize of $1,000!
To keep up to date with Treasure Hunt news and clues, visit nevadadaytreasurehunt.org or our Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Facebook page.
Honor Native culture and attend the Nevada Day Pow Wow
The Nevada Day Pow Wow—formerly known as The La Ka Lel Be (People’s Gathering)—will run all of Nevada Day Weekend. This public event showcases Native American/First Nations dancing and singing as well as a wide variety of crafts and food vendors. More event highlights include the family culture night on Friday at 7 p.m., the grand entry celebrations on Saturday (at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and on Sunday at 12 p.m. at the MAC Center.
Enjoy the Great Basin Native Artists’ Gallery
The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. We will hold a beading demonstration by Dale Bennett, Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California. Additionally, the current exhibit in the Great Basin Native Artist Gallery—“Creating Story: Artwork of the Stewart Indian School”—will also be open to the public until February 2, 2024.
Extend your weekend
If you want to keep the fun going into the next week, be sure to pack your costume and stay till the official night of Halloween. On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, you and your family can trick or treat all over Carson City. Make a pit stop by the Governor’s Mansion, where you can grab some candy from the First Lady and take a picture with her outside this historical building.
Don’t miss this year’s theme
The Nevada Day, Inc.’s Board of Directors has announced that the theme for Nevada Day 2023 is—drumroll, please—”Home Means Nevada”! This truly hits close to home for Nevada residents. For those of you who don’t know, this is also our state song, written by Bertha Raffetto in 1932 and picked up by our legislators a year later.
“We couldn’t believe it hadn’t been chosen as a theme before,” stated Bobby Bean, Nevada Day, Inc. President. “Our records go back to the 1950’s, and in the past 70 years, ‘Home Means Nevada’ has never been selected as a theme.”
Come spend the Nevada Day Weekend with us in Carson City to see how we’ve made Nevada our home since 1864 and enjoy all of the ongoing festivities.
For more information about most of these events or to see the comprehensive schedule for Nevada Day Weekend, please visit nevadaday.com.