Nevada Day Weekend October 27-28, 2023

THE LARGEST CELEBRATION OF STATEHOOD IN THE NATION

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! This holiday is dedicated to celebrating the resilience of Nevadans throughout their years of hardship and paying respect to the people responsible for their admission to the United States. Here in Carson City we celebrate our birthday big all weekend long!

DETAILS AND TIMES OF THE WEEKENDS EVENTS ARE STILL BEING FINALIZED. BELOW IS THE LIST OF ANNUAL EVENTS USUALLY HELD EVERY NEVADA DAY WEEKEND. COME BACK SOON FOR TIMES AND DETAILS!

FRIDAY EVENTS

HISTORICAL EAST-SIDE TOUR 

Join Bernie Allen as he leads you on a two-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 historic locations. For more info, call 775-315-7616.

NEVADA DAY POWWOW

The Nevada Day Pow Wow is held at the MAC Center/Boys&Girls Club in Carson City each year during the Nevada Day weekend Friday, Sat and Sun. This public event showcases Native American/First Nations dancing and singing, also a wide variety of Craft and Food vendors are on site. There is a Hand Game Tournament, Horse Shoe Tournament, Youth 3on3 Tournament and new this year, Corn Hole Tournament.

NEVADA RAILROAD MUSEUM

Nevada State Railroad Museum will be offering free admission on Nevada Day. As a special Nevada Day Weekend treat, the museum will be operating the McKeen Motor Car, fares for the McKeen Motor Car are $8 for ages 12 and over, $4 ages 4-11 and museum members; and free for ages 3 and under.  McKeen Car rides operate 10:00am until 2:00pm each day.   Museum is located at 2180 South Carson Street. www.carsonrailroadmuseum.org

NEVADA STATE MUSEUM

Nevada State Museum will be offering free admission on Nevada Day. See the coin press in action. Museum volunteers will be conducting presentations in the Coin Press room. Museum is located at 600 N. Carson St. www.carsonnvmuseum.org

SATURDAY EVENTS

 34th ANNUAL NEVADA DAY CLASSIC RUN/WALK 

This is a classic road course through the streets of west Carson City. Costumes are HIGHLY encouraged! An annual event since 1989, the Nevada Day Classic – presented by the Tahoe Mountain Milers – is an 8K run and a 2-mile run/walk through the beautiful, historic West Side of Carson City, Nevada. The races precede the Nevada Day Parade celebrating Nevada’s entry into the Union with a course finish down the main drag of Carson City with spectators lining the way. All runners of all distances will receive a custom wooden medal! The first 200 runners that register are guaranteed a t-shirt!

The Nevada Day Classic is organized in partnership with Guide Dog for the Blind, Kaia Fit, and Lynn Mentzer Timing. All net proceeds will go to Guide Dogs For The Blind. The email for general public inquiries is: [email protected]

BALLOON LAUNCH – 8am

Watch the hot air balloons launching right on Carson Street near the Carson Mall beginning at 8:00 a.m. on parade day (weather permitting).

The balloons fly for about an hour and are usually landed before the parade starts. The launch operates under the assistance of the Great Reno Balloon Race. Team RE/MAX flies their signature hot air balloon, along with many other balloons. Sponsors can ride in a balloon and hang their banners from the balloon’s basket. For more information contact Nevada Day at 775-882-2600 or email [email protected]

33rd ANNUAL NEVADA PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION  

A Nevada Day tradition, the pancake breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion (606 N. Mountain St.) is hosted by the Carson City Republican Women’s Club and usually takes place from 7:00-9:30 a.m. parade day.  Proceeds go towards a scholarship of $2,000 to a deserving senior from Carson or Dayton High School. All are welcome and we encourage you to come and meet our Republican officials.

Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, ham, orange juice and coffee. The Governor is often available for photos. You might even spot surprise celebrities and famous political guests at this annual Carson City tradition!  For more info visit www.ccrwclub.com or contact Patty Johnson 775-846-8480/email [email protected].

37th ANNUAL NEVADA DAY CHILI FEED

Waiting to find out who will host the annual Chili Feed in the Carson Nugget’s upstairs Banquet Center (507 North Carson St.) on parade day. Admission is free, so arrive early for the popular event!  Enjoy free chili with all the fixins. It’s a great opportunity to meet old and new friends, plus chat with federal, state, and local leaders.

NEVADA BUILDERS FOUNDATION BREAKFAST BUFFET

23rd Annual Nevada Builders Foundation Nevada Day Breakfast Buffet at Red’s Old 395 Grill. Reds is located at 1055 S. Carson St. Enjoy a full breakfast buffet of pancakes and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and potatoes and much more.  Be sure to treat yourself to Red’s famous Bloody Mary or Mimosa they are available at the bar.

NEVADA BUILDERS FOUNDATION LUNCH BUFFET

Tickets will include live music, all-you-can-drink Battle Born Beer and Lunch. Proceeds from both events will support local students seeking a fulfilling career in construction.

NEVADA DAY PARADE- 10a

Beginning at 10:00 am sharp, we play the Star Spangled Banner as the Navy flies overhead, it’s the 85th annual NEVADA DAY PARADE! The largest celebration of statehood in the country, right here in Carson City, with around 200 entries and lots of excitement. It takes 4 hours to complete, and you won’t want to miss it – well, you kinda can’t miss it because we take over downtown till about 2:30 pm.

NEVADA DAY BEARD CONTEST – approx 2:30 after the parade

Hosted by Cipriani’s Downtown Barber Shop and Paradise Salon – Spa – Wellness. Held immediately following the parade, the Beard Contest takes place on the main stage at McFadden Plaza (3rd St.) There is no entry fee, the contest is open to anyone with a beard. Award categories include best overall winner, longest, fullest, reddest, whitest, blackest, best salt and pepper, best groomed, scruffiest, and most bearded community.

50TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLE JACK DRILLING CONTEST- 

The World Championship Single Jack Rock Drilling Contest takes place on Saturday at the Carson Mall Parking lot.

Men and Women contestants use 4.5 pound hammers and a 3/4 inch bit of steel to drill as deep and as fast as they can into a 4,320 pound piece of Sierra White Granite from the Yosemite area (the hardest known granite in the region). Contestants have 10 minutes to pound the drills into the solid stone, their only help is from an assistant who runs water into the hole so the loose stone chips are splashed out with every stroke of the hammer. The person who drills the deepest hole wins.

The contest goes back to the Comstock mining skills of earlier times, when blast holes for dynamite were punched into ore bodies by hand. Contestants vie for a chance at a World Champion title.

STEWART INDIAN SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM SPECIAL SATURDAY OPENING 

Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum will be open Saturday. NOTE: The museum will be closed Friday to observe the Nevada Day holiday.

THE USAF MOBILITY BAND IS COMING BACK TO CARSON CITY to help us celebrate Nevada Day with an evening performance on the McFadden Plaza Stage.

TELEGRAPH SQUARE BLOCK PARTY- 3pm

Join old and new friends and dance to live music from 3 – 6 p.m. in Telegraph Square (at Telegraph & Curry Streets), sponsored by Nevada Day. Enjoy free live music, plus visit food and drink vendors and nearby businesses.

DOWNTOWN VINTAGE MARKET-8am

Their biggest event yet, will be held Saturday in the parking lots BEHIND the Laxalt Building. 2 parking lots full of pop ups and vendors – live music – vintage tap trailers pouring beer and coffee Mini golf – Climbing wall – Face painting & more. 8-4 in both lots behind the Laxalt building. 412 N. Stewart Street.

HALLOWEEN FAIRY TALE EXPRESS 

The Halloween Fairy Tale Express will be pulling out of the station at Mills Park on Saturday. Wild Horse Productions and their cast of actors will bring to life all your favorite characters.  More details to come.

GOVERNOR’S MANSION TOURS- 2pm

Governor’s Mansion will again be hosting tours this year on Nevada Day (which includes upstairs!) from 2:00 to 4:00.  This is a unique opportunity to see the upstairs of the mansion and meet the Governor and First Lady. Docents will do the tours in period clothing and they usually have a little treat to hand out as well.

CAPITAL CITY COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT- 

The Capital City Community Band opens its 46th concert season with a free concert of patriotic and Halloween favorites.

The concert is FREE to the public. Parents are encouraged to bring their children. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

FALL FEST AT THE CARSON NUGGET

Join us Saturday for the 8th annual Northern Nevada Fall Fest. Shop local crafters, reps, and businesses. Food Trucks, food booths, Kettle Corn, Raffles, candy and more! In Arlington Square (507 N. Carson St).

CARSON MALL ACTIVITIES

Carson Mall will host a Craft Show, a “Best In The West” Bloody Mary Contest with a cash prize, and a Corn Hole Tournament. Vendors will be set up in the Carson Mall parking lot at 1223 S. Carson St from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. displaying and selling unique gifts. Find your next treasure and enjoy browsing through all the booths.