Silly String, smiles and a 142-year-old celebration

By Saturday afternoon, the only reminders of the celebration of Nevada Day were the orange barriers off to the side and multi-colored swatches of concrete from hundreds of impromptu Silly String fights.

By Saturday afternoon, the only reminders of the celebration of Nevada Day were the orange barriers off to the side and multi-colored swatches of concrete from hundreds of impromptu Silly String fights.

There were 215 entries for the 2006 Nevada Day Parade, encompassing everything from marching bands and elected officials to a house on wheels and a train robbery. The parade ran three hours and 58 minutes, nearly 30 minutes short of the parade's record.

There were 215 entries for the 2006 Nevada Day Parade, encompassing everything from marching bands and elected officials to a house on wheels and a train robbery. The parade ran three hours and 58 minutes, nearly 30 minutes short of the parade's record.

"It was an awesome day, the weather cooperated and we didn't have anything go wrong," said Reg Creasey, president of Nevada Day Inc.

Gov. Kenny Guinn rode in the cabin of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad's No. 22 Inyo. The a 34-ton locomotive served as the parade's grand marshal, selected as part of the parade's theme: Nevada Day Meets the V&T.

The parade included both candidates for governor and the second congressional district as well as lieutenant governor, state treasurer, attorney general and several Carson City supervisors.

People began lining the streets more than three hours before the parade began, setting up tailgates and securing the good spots along the route.

Cathy and Debi Anderson have been coming to the celebration for more than 20 years and found their spots in front of the Century 21 Heritage West building on South Carson Street.

"My office throws a private party for our clients every year. It's just fun to come watch the kids," Cathy said.

Debi said, "It's about Nevadans getting together to watch the parade and have some fun."

Just up the street, Aaron Mouritsen and Patricia Badger found their spots just by pure luck.

"We chose here because we got here a little late and it was the only spot available," Mouritsen said.

At the Knights of Columbus Council 4781 booth, Steve Von Rumpf said he had the best of both worlds. Von Rumpf was manning the grill, cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs to benefit the organization.

"Our grill faces the parade, so it really works out well," Von Rumpf said.

It was the fifth year the organization did a fundraiser during Nevada Day and expected to serve about 200 hamburgers and hot dogs.

"All the money raised goes to local charities, not just religious charities but everyone who can benefit," Von Rumpf said.

As he watched the motorcycle officers from the Carson City Sheriff's Department interact with the Shriner's stunt cars, 6-year-old Jordan Rudd, of Reno, was looking north in search of his favorite float.

"The fire truck, even though I haven't seen it yet that's my favorite," Jordan said. "My uncle Mike is a fireman."

From his spot near the judges stand, Creasey said he was impressed with several entries, but one really stood out.

"The most interesting for me was the Neverwas Haul. That was just so creative and so off the wall, you had to love it," Creasey said.

The haul was one of three entries submitted by Burning Man Inc. The two-story Victorian house built on the fifth-wheel was trucked in from Gerlach for the parade.

"We moved in here two days ago, and people were already coming by and taking pictures with it. Even going down the road from Gerlach, people would pass us and then turn and look," said Michael Michael, Burning Man director of programming. "Nevada is the last frontier and that's why Burning Man is here and in the parade."

- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.