Gardnerville man Carson Valley Days parade grand marshal

Last year's Citizen of the Year, Bob Pepperdene, will be the grand marshal for this year's Carson Valley Days Parade.

"It's a great honor," said Pepperdene, who is head custodian at Douglas High School.

Gardnerville resident Pepperdene, 60, said he has seen a lot of students pass through the halls of the high school over the past quarter century.

"There's a lot of people who are still in town," he said. "I used to coach softball."

"Randy Green's retiring, and he said 'What better job is there than one where you learn something every day and get to hang around 18-year-olds?' The whole thing's the kids. The school wouldn't even be here without them."

This year's citizen of the year will be named after Saturday's parade, according to Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club Treasurer Jeremy Davidson.

Davidson said this year's citizen of the year will be grand marshal of the 2009 parade.

Carson Valley Days festivities begin 5 p.m. Thursday with the opening of the carnival at Lampe Park. Davidson said the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club is hosting special-needs children and their families for a free night at the carnival tonight. Those interested should contact Brian Deaton at 220-8046.

Today is the last day to purchase pre-sale carnival tickets at Nevada State Bank, Accolades Trophies and Raley's. Tickets are $16 in advance and $20 at the time of carnival.

Classic rock band Seymour's Trick Bag will perform at Lampe Park 6-10 p.m. on Friday.

Saturday morning will kick off with a hot-air balloon launch from Carson Valley Middle School at 7 a.m. followed by the Carson Valley Days Walk, Jog and Run sponsored by the Partnership of Community Resources.

Registration for the parade is 7 a.m. and so far the annual event features more than 80 floats, according to the club.

The parade winds from Minden Park down Highway 395 to Lampe Park, closing the highway for about four hours Saturday.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley is selling the 2008 edition of the Carson Valley Days buttons for $1 at locations around the Valley. The cost of a button goes to $2 during Carson Valley Days and failure to wear one could land parade goers in the Soroptimist jail.

Buttons are available at Ace Hardware, 88 Cups, AG Edwards/Wachovia, Artisans International Gallery, Carson River Community Bank, Carson Valley Market, Cafe Girasole, Carson Valley Inn Gift Shop, Changes hair salon, City National Bank, The French Bar, Historian Inn, JT Basque Bar & Dining Room, Jen's Optical House, Jethro's, Laxague Feed and Supply, Nevada State Bank in Minden, Raley's, Scolari's, Lira's Market, Two Guys from Italy, Wells Fargo Bank, World Gym and The Record-Courier.

The Douglas County Building Industry Association is selling raffle tickets to raise money for Douglas High sophomore Julie Rodriguez, who suffers from liver failure.

The builders have produced four playhouses, which will appear on a float in the parade. The playhouses will be raffled off on Sunday. Tickets are $5 each, or six for $20

For information e-mail to caroledcbia@aol.com or call 783-1782.

Ducks in the 16th annual Wacky Waddlers' Wiver Wace to benefit the Carson Valley Community Food Closet are on sale at Scolari's Market; Candles & Crafts, 1540 Highway 395, Suite 2; Pat Cardinal at Re/Max Realty, 1320 Highway 395, and at the parade.