Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal
Celebrants were out early on New Year's Eve to mingle and toast in 2010 all over Carson City.
At Casino Fandango, Michele Gavin of Jacks Valley, was on the casino floor with her husband and friends to ring in the new year.
"I'm partying and I'm starting early because I'm old," said the 38-year-old. "I'm going to get drunk and I'm going to tear it up and be as loud and obnoxious as I can."
Gavin said she likes the Casino Fandango because she met her husband there three years ago.
At Gold Dust West, Rick Akers was in town with his wife Cherise from Herald, Calif.
"We go riding in the desert on our Rhinos every year, and then we do New Year's Eve here with relatives. This place is more laid back than most places, so we brought some champagne," Akers said.
Cherise Akers said they travel a lot but haven't been able to get away the last couple of months.
"This is like a real treat for us, and we're hoping to win some money," she said.
Ringing in the new year Big Apple style drew more than 120 people to the Nevada State Library and Archives for a fund-raising event. Hosted by Mayor Bob and Susan Crowell, proceeds will go toward plans for the new downtown library.
"We're big library fans," said Mike Jones, MD. "Anything that will help us get a new library in town, we'll do."
Jones said 2009 has been good to him.
"It's been a good year, I'm healthy. And next year, we want to spend more time with our grandchildren," he said.
Jones' wife Kari said she has made a New Year's Resolution to get rid of something every day in 2010.
"I did that last year, and you just feel freer and you can find things. You take something to Goodwill or FISH," she said. "I once had an employee tell me that I was a keeper of things, so I decided to change that."
Carson City Library Director Sara Jones said she was pleased with the turnout for the Library Foundation event.
"We're hoping this downtown plan will get some legs," she said. "What a great way to kick off 2010."
At other places around town, popular venues like The Firkin & Fox and Doppelgangers were packed, with revelers spilling out onto the sidewalks, but Carson City is traditionally tame compared to Reno and Stateline, where tens of thousands of people gather to ring in the new year.