Douglas has long history celebrating Nevada Day

When the first Nevada Day Parade was held in 1938, Record-Courier Publisher Bert Selkirk claimed 60 percent of Douglas County’s residents attended the celebration in Carson City.

Since the county was only home to around 2,000 people at the time, that wasn’t a high bar to clear.

They “returned home feeling that they had witnessed something worthwhile,” he wrote in his front page Observations Column. “The Douglas County Boy Scout Troop walked away with first prize by making the best appearance in the parade and everybody from Carson Valley was proud of these youngsters.”

Mrs. Halvor Jacobsen “was the envy of all feminine eyes at Carson City” thanks to her antique black brocaded coat and old-style bonnet from 50-60 years ago.

A delegation from Genoa including its oldest residents reenacted a scene depicting the prominent part Mormons played in the settlement of Carson Valley.

“It is indeed fitting that residents of Nevada’s oldest town will enact that historic episode of the establishment of Mormon Station,” Selkirk wrote.

That’s why it’s appropriate that Douglas participate in the state’s 158th birthday celebration Saturday in Carson City.

The Douglas High School Band performed in that first parade, wearing old-time costumes in keeping with the spirit of the event, according to Selkirk.

The Tiger marching band and approximately 60 cadets of the Douglas High School Jr. ROTC Tiger Battalion will join the annual Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on Saturday.

“It’s just not a parade without marching bands and Nevada has some of the best,” said Nevada Day Executive Director Brooke Santina.

Nevada Day is a celebration of the Silver State’s admission as the 36th state on Oct. 31, 1864.

The Nevada Day holiday is Friday and will feature a two-mile tour of Carson City’s historic eastside at 10 a.m. starting at the Capitol steps. Admission to the Nevada State Museum and Nevada Railroad Museum is free Friday and Saturday, with rides on the McKeen Motor Car $8 for ages 12 and older and $4 for children 4-11.

Hot air balloons launch near Carson Mall starting at 8 a.m. depending on the weather, with the parade starting at 10 a.m. accompanied by a U.S. Navy flyover.

In addition to the parade, the annual beard contest will be on the Main Stage of the McFadden Plaza immediately following the parade. Carson Mall will also host the World Championship Single Jack Rock Drilling Contest starting 11 a.m. Saturday.

With Election Day just 10 days after the parade, expect the parade ranks of 186 entries to swell with candidates doing some last-minute campaigning.

Douglas Parade entries

72 Douglas High School Marching Band

73 Douglas High School ROTC

83 Sierra Lutheran High School and Bethlehem Lutheran School

151 Washoe Tribe

154 Janice Noble for Assembly District 39

180 E. Clampus Vitus Snowshoe Thompson Chapter