Grand marshal named for camel races parade

Native Nevadan and longtime Virginia City business leader Angelo Petrini will serve as grand marshal of the 52nd annual Virginia City International Camel Races parade Saturday.

Petrini owns the Bonanza and Delta saloons and has lived in Virginia City since 1958. He has served in the Nevada State Assembly and on the Storey County school board and currently holds a seat on the Virginia City Convention & Tourism Authority. He has been involved with numerous fraternal and civic organizations.

Petrini was born in Reno and attended the University of Nevada, Reno. His wife, Joan, is a fifth-generation Nevadan. Her father, M.J. Gallagher, was elected Nevada inspector of mines, serving from 1950 to 1970.

The Petrinis have been married for 51 years and have two daughters and three grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Reno area.

Participants in the 52nd Annual Virginia City International Camel and Ostrich Races will trudge and trample the Silverland Arena from Friday to Sunday. Camel jockeys from as far away as sister city Alice Springs, Australia, are expected.

Reservations are recommended for those wishing to stay the weekend.

Online tickets and information on overnight accommodations are available at VisitVirginiaCityNV.com. Tickets may also be reserved by calling VCCTA at 1-800-718-7587 or (775) 847-4386.

Daily tickets are $12 each for adults and $8 for children 5 to 12, seniors 62-plus and active-duty military personnel. Children 4 and under are free. A family pack is available for $30, which covers daily admission for two adults and two youngsters.

Activities begin with a jockey party at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Friday is media day, with races starting at 1 p.m. The Camel Race parade and extravaganza begins at noon, with racing again commencing at 1 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, final competition begins at noon.