Carnival comes for Nevada Day celebration

Surrounded by flashing lights and a cacophony of music ringing from the different rides, you wait. The line seems to go on forever.

Finally, it's your turn. Nervousness, excitement and apprehension mingle with the crisp night air to make every hair stand on end.

The safety bar is lowered, still sticky from the cotton-candied fingers of the previous riders, and the ride starts. Slow at first, then faster.

Fear and pleasure culminate into an adrenaline rush as you fly through the air, manipulated in a way that only physics can explain.

Then it's over. Time to find another line.

The 15th annual Nevada Day carnival opens today at Mills Park with a first-day special of unlimited rides for $10.

"We want to give the kids a break," said Janice Ayres, executive director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which is hosting the carnival.

The carnival, by Midway West Carnival Amusements, will run until Sunday. It will open at 4 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on the weekend. It will close at midnight every night except Sunday, when it will close at 9 p.m.

Those who share Nevada's Oct. 31 birthday will ride for free on Friday if they provide proof of date of birth.

"I was researching carnivals, and I found out they share our birthday," Ayres said. "The carnival will share its and Nevada's birthday with anyone else born on the same day."

In addition to the rides, the carnival will feature a variety of foods ranging from the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers to Asian and Mexican food.

"There's every kind of food you would want to find," Ayres said. "We just want to make it a great big Nevada Day event."

Proceeds from the carnival will go to RSVP's programs including the Home Companion Program, which helps seniors maintain independent living.

"We don't just help the elderly," Ayres said. "We help people of all ages."

If you go:

What: 15th annual Nevada Day carnival

When: 4 p.m. to midnight Today through Saturday; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Where: Mills Park

For more information: Call RSVP at 687-4680.