McKeen Car

It's parade day in Carson City, which means a host of Nevada Day activities throughout the state capital all day long.

Of course, the 80th annual Nevada Day Parade is the centerpiece of the Silver State's 154th birthday celebration.

Eight days before the presidential election of 1864, Nevada became the 36th state in the union. Hello Carson City and welcome to Friday, Nevada Day, Oct. 26, 2018. Today is the observed state holiday, where businesses are open but state and local government offices and schools are closed. Meanwhile, the capital city itself is getting warmed up for a three-day weekend and famed parade that celebrates statehood.

The Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City are offering free admission both Friday and Saturday in recognition of Nevada Day.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada State Railroad Museum’s historic McKeen Motor Car — built for service on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in 1910 — will be making its first runs of 2018 this weekend, May 5-6.

The Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City are offering free admission to patrons both Friday and Saturday in recognition of Nevada Day.

‘We hold these truths to be self-evident…’ With those few powerful words, the Declaration of Independence set a few east coast colonies on a path to becoming ‘the land of the free, and the home of the brave.’ Less than 100 years later, the great ‘Battle Born’ state of Nevada would join the fold. Let us celebrate our great country today with family, friends, and neighbors. You’ll find fireworks displays in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and both the North and South shores of Lake Tahoe.

It may just be the third of July, but our country’s birthday celebrations have already started. You’ll find the annual RSVP Carnival at Mills Park with games, rides, cotton candy, and hours of skateboarding feats of daring-do. It’s an old-fashioned Fourth of July Party at the Senior Center in Dayton, complete with a show-n-shine and yummy bar-be-que. Head up to Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe for the early-bird fireworks show and beach bash.

Let the good times roll. Head over to Mills Park in Carson City for the annual RSVP Carnival and catch some high-flying skate-boarding action. You’ll find the historic Wungnema House open for tours at the very east end of the park. One price gets you unlimited rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and plenty of photo opportunities with their historic steamer. The classic thriller, Jaws, plays on the big screen at the Galaxy Theater, just in case you forgot what might be hiding in the water. Here's what's happening today:

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on, so grab the kids, friends, and family and have a great four-day Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, July 1

Monday’s aren’t always known for fun, but the Fourth of July is a different animal. Carson City, Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, and Reno will have fireworks displays starting around 9:30. Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa aren’t slacking, though. Festivities can be found just about everywhere.

Sunday is the day before Independence Day, but Sparks is getting a jump on the festivities with their Star Spangled Sparks Celebration and fireworks. King’s Beach always celebrates early, so you can catch fireworks at the northeast end of Tahoe, as well. Keep reading: the weekend is in full swing.

SUNDAY:

• Fourth of July Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($38 includes 18 holes and cart)
• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Pat Holub and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

Holy moly. Carson City is hopping with fun times for everyone. Enjoy Saturday downtown with the Third and Curry Farmers Market, the Downtown Business Association Wine Walk, and a free concert at the Brewery Arts Center. Mills Park features the return of the RSVP Carnival with rides, food, booths, games, and more.

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on as well, so grab the kids, friends, and family and have a great Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, July 2:
Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City (Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17)

Nevada’s famous McKeen motor car will roll at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City, Saturday and Sunday.

National Train Day is celebrated Saturday, May 7, in honor of the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory, Utah that marked completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. Operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days, the McKeen offers passengers an authentic glimpse of its rich and important past.

Heritage trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, a capital tradition, are all set for the holiday season.

Trains operate during the weekends of December 5-6, December 12-13, and December 19-20. To order your tickets now click the "Get Tickets" tab on the NSRM Facebook page here.

Here’s the 2015 Nevada Day event lineup and Halloween happenings, Thursday through Sunday. For all Halloween events go here. For everything Nevada Day, check out the official Nevada Day website here. Otherwise, see the event listing below.

THURSDAY
RSVP NEVADA DAY CARNIVAL, MILLS PARK IN CARSON CITY
Carnival rides for adults and children, live music, food booths, craft vendors & more. Hours: 10/29: 5pm - 9pm; 10/30-31: Noon - 9pm; 11/1: Noon - 8pm

All Aboard for a Nevada Day treat at the Nevada Railroad Museum in Carson City. The historic McKeen motor car will operate both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. While the Nevada Day parade ends at the museum’s doorstep at the corner of Fairview Drive and U.S. 395, access to the museum will be open all day. Rides are $8 for adults, and $4 for ages 4-11 and museum members, free for those age 3 and younger.

Take advantage of FREE ADMISSION to the museum Friday and Saturday.

With all the flavorings of the Old West, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City will showcase several of its trains for the July 4 weekend.

It's living history on the rails when steam locomotives V&T No. 25 and the famous Inyo will operate along with the historic, self-propelled McKeen motor car Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Rides will be available behind the 25 and on the McKeen car every 45 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum’s historical 1910 McKeen motor car, a National Historic Landmark, will carry passengers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the museum, 2180 S. Carson St. in Carson City.

The McKeen motor car will operate for only four days in 2014; two of those days are this weekend. The event celebrates National Train Day, which is May 10.

This weekend, the McKeen will run every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rides are $8, $4 kids ages 4-11; free for children younger than 4.

Carson City will be featured on the C-SPAN network's two channels this weekend after their visit to the capital city earlier this month.

In addition to having feature stories sprinkled in throughout the weekend on the respective networks, both American History TV and Book TV, there will be a block of programming where all of the respective Carson City pieces for their networks will air, said C-SPAN spokeswoman Laura Finch.

One of Nevada’s most significant historic treasures is now the nation’s newest historic landmark with action today from the United States Department of the Interior. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar listed the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City as a National Historic Landmark.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on Wednesday announced the designation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad McKeen Motor Car #70 based in Carson City as one of 27 national historic landmarks.
Calling the McKeen Motor Car #70, Virginia & Truckee Railway Motor Car #22, "the best surviving example of the first commercially viable application of internal combustion power in a self-propelled railroad car" the designation possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States, Salazar said.

The McKeen Motor Car, a railcar the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, has been recommended for listing by the National Historic Landmarks Committee, said commitee chairman Ron James."...

The Nevada Day Parade in downtown Carson City drew tens of thousands to Carson Street today to watch and celebrate the Silver State's statehood.
Parade-goers were treated this morning with an air show above the Carson City skies, including the traditional F18 Hornet fly-over.

Click here for more photos. Festivities continue today with the annual Nevada Day Beard Contest at the Capitol Amphitheater. This begins immediately following the parade.

Nevada Day kicks off this morning with annual the Nevada Day Parade, with the theme being "100 Years of Aviation" to go along with the Silver State’s admission to the Union in 1864.

Retired Lt. Col. Dick Rutan of the U.S. Air Force serves as Grand Marshal for today's celebration. He was picked to coincide with the theme, which marks a history-making flight of daredevil pilot William Ivy Baldwin west of Carson City, where he soared to 4,675 feet, the highest ever at that time.
 

by Scott Schrantz Source: http://aroundcarson.com/2010/05/11/mckeen_car_unveiling

CARSON CITY — It was 'all aboard' the historic McKeen Motor Car V&T No. 22 on Sunday for dozens of railroad enthusiasts as the Nevada State Railroad Museum celebrated a milestone 100th anniversary commemorating the iron horse's arrival to the Carson City railroad.

The celebration was at the platform of the historic Wabuska Depot. Numerous local, state and federal officials and noted railroad historians participated in the event, trading stories and history references, and taking turns riding the car.

The Bernhard family, donors of the car, were the honored guests.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City will celebrate the delivery of the historic McKeen Motor Car V&T No. 22 on May 9, marking the completion of its decade-long restoration and the 100th year anniversary of its arrival in Carson City.
The event will take place  Sunday, May 9, with the ceremony/program to begin at Noon, at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 South Carson Street, Carson City. After a public ceremony and inaugural trip, rides will be available to the public. McKeen Car Rides: will be at 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m.

by Scott Schrantz