Nevada Day 150 celebration features new events, 'Steampunk Ball' and Famfest

Nevada's steam driven Sesquicentennial celebration culminates in Carson City with the Saturday, Nov. 1 Nevada Day Parade. This year’s parade theme, “Happy 150th Birthday, Nevada” encourages Silver State revelers to salute Nevada’s Oct. 31 1864 admission to the union as the 36th state.

"We at Nevada Day are very pleased to be adding three new events to this year's Nevada Day Celebration, in addition to bringing back reoccurring favorites," said Nevada Day committee president Ken Hamilton.

Steampunk Ball: A limited number of tickets are now on sale for the first ever Nevada Day Steampunk Ball, a costume fundraiser at the Carson Nugget Ballroom on Oct. 31, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The event’s theme combines the formality of old-time nostalgia with a light-hearted science fiction twist, and includes high-energy dance music by Nevada’s own Rock-N-Roll Rebels, a no-host bar, sweet treats, and costume contest with prizes. Tickets are $25 per person, on sale online at Steampunk.NevadaDay.com or at the Nevada Day Store at 108 W. Telegraph St., Carson City, open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday through Wednesday, 10 to 5 on Thursday and Friday and Wine Walk Saturday, Sep. 6 and Oct. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

FamFest : Another new event, the Nevada Day FamFest, is a designated family-friendly fun zone which takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Parade Day at the Horseshoe Club parking lot on the corner of Proctor and Curry Streets in Carson City. This event features food vendors, the music of CW and Mister Spoons, featuring Build a Beard and Prairie Princess Hat contests with the Prairie Godmother, a bicycle Show & Shine, Roller Derby Demonstrations by The Carson Victory Rollers Good Wheel Ambassador Carson Victory Rollers, Carson City's own Good Wheel Ambassadors! An appearance by Smokey Bear, and much more. Vendor space is available for $75 ($50 for non-profits). For more information, contact Dana Lee Fruend: 775-230-2232.

4th Annual Governors Banquet: Topping the list of reoccurring events is the signature kickoff gala to the Nevada Day celebration: The 4th Annual Nevada Day Governor’s Banquet, at the Grand Sierra’s Summit Pavilion in Reno, Tuesday, Oct. 28 (doors open at 6:00pm; dinner service is 7:00pm). Tickets to this semi-formal celebrity fund-raising event led by are now available for $60 per person ($500 for a table of 10), with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nevada. The event includes dinner, live entertainment, guest speakers, door prizes, no-host bar, silent auction, and the Nevada 150th birthday cake-cutting ceremony with Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and invited dignitaries. Purchase tickets before they sell out, at governorsbanquet.nevadaday.com.

Cemetery Tour Returns: Carson City’s popular Nevada Day Lone Mountain Cemetery Tour (aka: "Friends In Low Places") returns this year with historical performances representing some of the cemetery’s most famous residents. Two tours are on Friday night, Oct. 31 at 2:30pm and 5:30pm Tickets go on sale in early September at the Nevada Day Store (108 W. Telegraph St, Carson City) and are $20 adult / $10 for kids 6-12 / free for 5 & under (advance purchase recommended).

For a complete listing of Nevada Day events, including the 41st Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest, Nevada Day Beard Contest, annual Chili Feed hosted by Lt. Governer Brian Krolicki, the 31st Annual Carson Colony La Ka Le'l Be Pow Wow, Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk, free music at various venues, special events at the Railroad Museum, Carson City Mint and Nevada State Museum, and more visit events.nevadaday.com.

For more information about how you can be involved with Nevada Day 2014, including additional parade information, sponsorship opportunities, and applications to reserve vendor and private party space on Parade Day, visit parade.nevadaday.com.

Parade applications are available at parade.nevadaday.com. For questions related to your parade entry, contact the Nevada Day Office by emailing: nevadaday@nevadaday.com, or by calling 775-882-2600.