Planning for Nevada Day fun on schedule

With such entrants as the Moonlite BunnyRanch, the Nevada Day Parade certainly isn't like the Rose Parade.

And the tens of thousands of people who come to Carson City to participate in the fun prefer it that way, according to organizers of the annual Nevada celebration.

"It's home-grown," said H. Reg Creasey, president of Nevada Day Inc., the nonprofit group organizing the event.

For example, BunnyRanch owner Dennis Hof said he plans to entertain the crowd by rolling down the parade route on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle outfitted with a special sidecar. He'll be on the motorcycle and two of his employees in the sidecar. Their costumes - pink bunny suits - are meant for fun.

"It's a family event. Not a place to show skin," Hof said of the parade. "And it'll be cold out there."

This will be the 68th Nevada Day Parade. It begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 28. Events related to Nevada Day, however, start mid-month. Most of these events are scheduled the week before the parade and immediately after.

Planning is on schedule, but the nonprofit group seeks more private donations and needs additional volunteers, Creasey said.

"We'll train them," he emphasized.

Another entry that should wow parade-goers will be a steam-powered Victorian house, Creasey said.

"There are always such wonderful surprises," Creasey said. "And there's going to be some fun ones this year."

Organizers received 197 applications for inclusion in this year's parade, counting those from the two houses - cat and non-cat.

The parade this year will be one with fewer hoof beats and less band music because the number of these types of entries is down this year.

This year has brought a large number of relatively small donations to the organization to help with Nevada Day-related expenses, especially $150 amounts referred to as "Friend" level.

"These are from individuals and families. It shows they think Nevada Day and the parade are worthwhile," he said.

Corporate donations are always welcome, but any that come in now will be used to fund next year's activities, he said.

There will be a Nevada Day headquarters this year in front of the Plaza Hotel, with volunteers offering assistance and taking telephone inquiries. The Sheriff's Department will set up a command post behind City Hall.

Other Nevada Day-related activities include the Ghost Walk, 1864 Grand Ball, Beard Contest, Nevada Day Music and Heritage Festival, Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk, 32nd annual World Championship Rock Drilling Contest and post-parade performances by local bands.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

You can help

Call 882-2600 or visit www.nevadaday.com for information on volunteering or donating money to Nevada Day Inc.