Each October, Nevadans turn their attention to the state capital, Carson City, home of the “official” Nevada Day Parade. Since 1938, the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City has been an annual coming together to celebrate Nevada’s heritage and the founding of this great state on October 31, 1864!
COVID-19 may have changed the look of Nevada Day for 2020 but that doesn’t mean the weekend won’t be filled with smaller, safe events spread out across Carson City the entire weekend. Here’s the events we know so far, so mark your calendars:
Balloon Launch | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Viewable from Downtown Carson City
Watch the majestic of hot air balloons launching at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday the 31st (weather permitting). The balloons fly for about an hour.
Beard Contest | Red’s 395 | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Beard Contest takes place at the Copper Pointe Plaza near Reds Old 395 starting at 10:00 A.M. There is no entry fee and anyone with a beard, and for the first time, a mustache, can enter. If you are interested in entering, or would like more details, stop by or call Nick (775-515-4038) at Cipriani’s Downtown Barbershop, located at 318 N Carson Suite 102. Categories include; Best overall, longest, fullest, reddest, best groomed, scruffiest, and most bearded community, plus for the first time, best mustache.
Rock Drilling | Carson Mall | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The 46th Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest takes place on Saturday October 31st starting at 9:00 A.M. in the Carson Mall Parking Lot near Carson Homes Furnishings and Dutch Brothers. Contestants use 4 1/2 pound hammers and a 3/4″ bit of steel to drill as deep and fast as they can in a 4,320 pound piece of Sierra White Granite. They have 10 minutes to drill and their only help is from an assistant who runs water into the hole to clear out loose stone chips. The deepest hole wins.
Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum: Tours & Demonstrations | Stewart Indian School | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Three Great Basin Native artists will be demonstrating and sell their art for the public in the museum’s Wa-Pai-Shone Gallery. Linda Eben Jones, Paiute and Yavapai, and Stewart Class of 1965, will be demonstrating how she makes beaded bags. Linda is an enrolled member of the Reno Sparks Indian Colony and member of the Great Basin Native Artists. Linda and her sister Janice Eben Stump, Paiute and Stewart class of 1972, will be demonstrating how to make beaded bags from 10-1. Beading kits will be available for people to take for a small cash donation. All cash donations go to pay our cultural teachers.
Loretta Burden, Toi-Ticutta (Fallon Paiute) will demonstrate basket making and cradle board making from 1-5 pm. She will have small cradle board making kits available for visitors who would like to make a small cash donation. Loretta is a member of the Great Basin Native Artists and the Great Basin Native Basket Weaver’s Association.
Stewart memorabilia will be available for sale at special Nevada Day prices at the Stewart Welcome Center from 10-5 as a fundraiser for the museum.
Merchandise includes Stewart t-shirts, hoodies, caps, water bottles, lanyards, tote bags, and coffee cups. The museum can accept cash and checks but no credit cards for purchases.
Prison Tours | Nevada State Prison | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Guided experience at the Nevada State Prison Historic Site on Nevada Day, Saturday, 31 October 2020. Each experience will last 90 minutes, and be prepared to walk about a half mile, and climb about 60 steps. We have 12 start times available, the first starts at 10:00 am, then every half-hour until the last one at 3:30 pm. See the official Nevada State Prison to purchase a ticket. [Tickets Sold Out!]
Due to the Governor’s directives, we must limit the number of people on the site, so once you arrive in our free parking area, please wait in your vehicle until 10 (ten) minutes before the time on your ticket. Then proceed to the gate for check-in. Please keep all members of your party together at all times. Masks are required at all times. There will be time after your event to check out our pop-up gift shop where we will have NSP merchandise and memberships available for purchase. May we suggest that you wear comfortable clothing and closed toed walking shoes, bring water and of course, your camera.
Reverse Parade | Western Nevada College Parking Lot, Saturday, Oct. 31st | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Drive through the Reverse Parade and see your favorite parade entrants in the comfort of your own vehicle. Ambient music brought to you by the Brewery Arts Center. Reverse Parade will be 2 hrs.
Made in Nevada Film Festival Presented By Carson City Toyota | Western Nevada College Parking Lot | Friday & Saturday, Oct. 30th & 31st | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Film Festival is a drive-in movie and it is two nights. On Oct. 30th The Shootist will be screened at 6:15 and The Misfits at 8pm. On Oct. 31 The Muppets will be screened at 6:15 at Sister Act at 8pm. The film festival is sponsored by Carson City Toyota and if you pick up your tickets there, they are free and you are also entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. If you reserve your space online, it is $5.
Railbike Tours | V&T Eastgate Depot | Friday & Saturday, Oct. 30th & 31st | 10-2pm, 6-8pm | Sunday 10-2pm 
Halloween haunted fun for riders of all ages! Come in your costume and join us for a spooky ride. Family rides will be held at 6 p.m. with trick-or-treating along the V&T Bridge Short Rides route. For those 17 and older, join us for our spooky adult’s ride at 8 p.m. Zombies, ghosts, vampires, and monsters will be hiding along the Carson River Canyon route with lanterns lighting your way.
Spooky Ride for ages 17+: 8 p.m. Reserve Tickets by calling 877-724-5007 or by clicking here.
Nevada Healthcare Heroes Event | Nevada State Museum | Friday, Oct. 30th | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
To honor and raise funds for Nevada’s health care workers, historic Coin Press No. 1 will mint a special medallion from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. in Carson City. Attendees can purchase up to two .999 fine silver planchets and watch as they are minted on the press. Cost for a planchet is $100; a portion of the proceeds will go to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Registration is required for this event, as the museum itself will be closed for the Nevada Day holiday. Participants will be given a scheduled admission time, will need to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing protocols. Note that if you do not already have a museum log-in account, you will be asked to create one before registering for the event. To register, go to carsonnvmuseum.org, click on the Events tab, and scroll down to the Healthcare Heroes Medallion Release event.
“Nevada has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and our front-line health care workers are among the hardest hit,” Myron Freedman, Nevada State Museum, Carson City director, said. “The museum is glad to offer this opportunity to honor their contributions and give back to the men and women who work so hard to protect the community’s health. Buying and minting a medallion not only funds this important cause, but also connects the purchaser with a piece of history that can only be found at the Carson City Mint.” Medallions will be minted on Coin Press No. 1, the first coin press to operate at the Carson City Mint, and each one will be struck with the famous CC mintmark. A former U.S. Branch Mint, the Carson City Mint was in operation from 1870 to 1893. Some of the most collectible U.S. coins were produced on the very same coin press in the very same mint building. Today, the old mint building is incorporated into the museum.
The Carson City Ghost Train Has Come Back From The Dead! | Friday, Oct. 30 | 3:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Join The Wild Horse Children’s Theater and the Carson City Railroad Association.
Tickets will be $5.00 and go on sale Oct. 1st. A friendly reminder that this is a Covid-19 regulated event and all safety precautions will be taken to make this a safe and family-friendly event for all ages.
Nevada Day Chalk Art Contest Hosted by the Carson City Lions Club | Saturday, Oct. 31st | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Benefits go to Carson City Host Lions’ Scholarship Program. Theme: My Favorite Moment in Nevada.
Chalk art contest is open to all Carson City residents. $10 entry fee which includes chalk must be submitted by Friday October 23rd. Viewing of contest entries will be open to the public. Prizes will be awarded to art entries and to viewers. Event details, entry forms, sponsorship info, event maps and more can be found at www.CarsonCityLions.com
36th Nevada Day Chili Feed | Carson Nugget | Saturday Oct. 31 | 12:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Held at the Carson City Nugget upstairs in the Banquet Center. Coordinated and hosted by Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske and State Senator James Settelmeyer. Admission is free and space limited, so arrive early for this popular event! Enjoy free chili with all the fixing’s, while chatting with old and new friends.
Historical East-Side Tour | Friday Oct. 30th | 10:00 a.m.
Join Bernie Allen as he guides you on a 2 mile walking tour of the historical East Side of Carson City. This free tour begins at the Capitol Steps and continues to the location of the former Children’s Home, which was also the site of the 1897 Corbett Fitzsimmons heavyweight title fight. The tour also includes a visit to the site of the former V & T Railroad Shops as well as many other historical locations. For more info, call Bernie at (775) 315-7616
