- Nevada Day
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Black Rock Ranger "Teksage" rides an art car during the Nevada Day parade.
Nevada Day commemorates the admission of the state of Nevada into the union on October 31, 1864. The first known observance of Nevada Day (originally known as "Admission Day") was by the Pacific Coast Pioneer society during the 1870s. It was not until 1933 that the state legislature designated October 31 as Nevada Day and a state holiday.
Contents
Observance
On this holiday all state, county and city government offices are closed, along with most schools and libraries.[1] Some private businesses, like banks, also close at their discretion. In Nevada's capital, Carson City, a parade is held through the heart of downtown, as well as a carnival and several other events.[2]
In 2000, the Nevada Legislature decided to celebrate the holiday on a Friday, hoping that a three-day weekend would generate more interest. Nevada Day is now observed on the last Friday in October. But most of the big events in Carson City, including the parade, occur on the following Saturday. This was shortly followed by Las Vegas and Henderson adding up to three Nevada Days throughout the year in addition to the actual holiday which are determined by city council vote during the first week of each legislative year.
Until 2000, Halloween was observed in Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County, and Storey County on October 30, so as to not conflict with the holiday.
Since 2000, Carson City's newspaper, Nevada Appeal, has sponsored a month-long "treasure hunt" each year in October (except for 2003 and 2004) to celebrate Nevada Day. Beginning on the first Monday, a clue is posted on a web site set up for the contest each weekday, which help narrow down the search area. The clues all have to do with Nevada history, and so it encourages people to study it in order to find the "treasure". Upon finding it, the treasure (which is a small plaque referred to as a "medallion") can be redeemed for up to $1000. [3]
In 2003 and 2008, the legal holiday for Nevada Day fell on October 31, the actual day of admission.
In popular culture
In 2006, Nevada Day, and the Nevada town of Pahrump, were central to the plot in "Nevada Day", a two-part episode of the Aaron Sorkin television drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Part One was originally slated to air on Nevada Day, October 31, but was delayed a week and aired on November 6. Part Two followed a week later on November 13.
References
- ^ Nevada Appeal, October 26, 2007: What's closed for Nevada Day holiday
- ^ http://www.nevadaday.com/pages/events.html
- ^ http://nvdaytreasurehunt.com/
External links
- NevadaDay.com
- Nevada Appeal, October 19, 2008: Is there anything traditional about Nevada Day?
Categories:- October observances
- Nevada culture
- Secular holidays
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