Walker River State Recreation Area holds 1st birthday bash

Celebrate the first anniversary of the Walker River State Recreation Area grand opening with a day full of fun, games and educational activities Sept. 21. The staff at Walker River would like to thank everyone who has come out to the park this past year and look forward to many great years to come.

The day’s activities include:

9 a.m. to noon: Hay rides

9 a.m. to Jr. Ranger Guided Walk

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Nevada Department of Wildlife booths; pelts and furs, hawk talk

10 a.m.: Horseshoe Tournament; must sign up at the park no later than 9:30 a.m. Space is limited to 14 teams of 2 people.

10 a.m.: 1 p.m.: Kid’s Fishing Derby. Register upon arrival at the park. Each child can keep one tagged fish and must follow Nevada’s possession limit of five trout. Child must be 12 years or younger to participate, and a parent or guardian must accompany the child.

10:30 a.m.: Cornhole tournament. Participants must sign up at the park no later than 10 a.m. Space is limited to 14 teams of two people.

Noon: Dutch Oven Chili Cook-off Judging. Participants must pre-register by contacting the park by email at wrsra@parks.nv.gov or call 775-463-1609. The park will supply participants with charcoal briquettes; participants are responsible for all other necessary materials. Space is limited to 20 participants.

12:20 p.m.: Chili tasting — open to the public.

12:30 p.m.: Supervisor’s remarks — Park supervisor Randy Denter will say a few words.

12:45 p.m.: Ice cream-making demonstration using a 1920s John Deere engine.

1 p.m.: Cake and ice cream

1:30 p.m.: Awards and prizes

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21. Meet at the Visitor Center at the Walker State Recreation Area, Pitchfork Ranch, 211 E. Walker Road in Yerington. From Yerington, head south on Highway 208 and turn left on East Walker Road, continue for four miles to the entrance of the Pitchfork Ranch.

This event is free to the public; however, the $5 day-use fee per vehicle to enter the park still applies.

Call Heather Jolley at 775-463-1609 for information.