Vol. 5, No. 3
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December 1, 2007
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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It's Holly Jolly Time
Around Silver State
Parties From Elko To Pahrump,
Bring Out Child In All Of Us
(Special to TNO from the North Pole News Service, Limited)
(NPS) - For many children, regardless of their respective ages, this is the most enchanting time of the year, and for many communities around the state, it's an opportunity to invite neighbors in for warm holiday greetings.
On the Comstock
In Virginia City, Nevada's Queen City, the time is called Christmas on the Comstock and features at least one parade, exuberantly decorated storefronts and homes, and 1860s style festivities. Piper's Opera House will ring with carols and the party atmosphere provided by the Comstock Cowboys. Other events leading up to Christmas include the annual Boar’s Head Feast at Piper’s Opera House and the always lively Christmas Cocktail Concoction Contest in which participating saloons create a special concoction and spectators vote for their favorite.
In many of the communities around the Silver State the parties begin during the first week of December and continue through New Years. Lighting goes up along main streets, storefronts are filled with merchandise that are "must buys," and often all of this is accompanied by caroling or at the least, recorded holiday music.
Ice skating in Reno
In Reno, the Rink on the River is open for ice skating and the community tree is up and decorated. Former Reno Mayor Griffin used to lead carolers along the River Walk and then all would be invited to enjoy hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts. Haven't heard from Mayor Cashell whether he will continue that tradition.
Elko gets lit
In Elko they call the Christmas pageant the Snowflake Festival and Parade of Lights and for the fifth time, it will take place in downtown Elko on December 8. The parade starts at 5:00 p.m. and will immediately be followed by the festival of lights. Elko also has a live nativity scene that features a donkey, sheep, llama, and cow, with human actors playing their various roles. Watch your step.
Carson Valley
In Minden/Gardnerville, the traditional festivities emanate from the Historical Society and the Carson Valley Museum. First off, December 1 is Student Day, and a sleigh will begin to be filled with presents, trees, goodies, and the like. Santa will be on hand of course, and on December 2, watch your waist here, there's a cookie walk, and later in the month a Gingerbread House decorating contest.
Sparks for Hometowne Christmas
December 1 marks the beginning of the Sparks Hometown Christmas with the lighting of the City tree, a grand parade, carolers, and traditional foods and entertainment. The Sparks Christmas Parade is one of the highlights of the northern Nevada holiday season. One mayor actually got in trouble for throwing candy to the children. Might hurt the little kids. There's always a Grinch somewhere. Mayor Martini will lead the parade. Watch out for flying butterballs.
Pah-rump-pump-pump
Will The Little Drummer Boy be there? The Pahrump festivities got underway the day after Thanksgiving and will continue on through the rest of December. Trees were decorated and then judged, and beginning December 1 will be available for viewing and for sale at a big party by way of an auctioneer's gavel. The Pahrump Valley Winery is responsible for table wines that will be served at the Festival of Trees party.
A Capital Christmas
The Christmas season in Nevada’s capital city starts with a flash at the lighting of the capitol building in Carson City on December 6. The Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights is an annual favorite in the capital city and Governor and Mrs. Jim Gibbons will be on hand to greet holiday revelers after the lighting of the capitol tree. The tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m., followed by caroling, snacks and a visit from Santa.
A little different in Vegas
This has absolutely nothing to do with holiday party time, but then again, it just might. The National Finals Rodeo is coming to Las Vegas, and the party starts December 5 at the Fremont Street Experience with the 21st annual Downtown Hoedown. Kick up your heels under the giant neon canopy and get ready for some fun. The Downtown Hoedown is the official kickoff for the rodeo. Taking the stage for a boot-stompin’ good time on historic Fremont Street are country greats Hal Ketchum, Sawyer Brown and Ray Scott.
The National Finals Rodeo, December 6-15 at the Thomas Mack Center in Las Vegas, draws the best riders and ropers in the world as they compete for prizes and fame. Miss Rodeo America will be crowned during the rodeo. Be sure to bring your wallet to the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show going on all week long. More than 400 vendors from across the United States and Canada will showcase their jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, art, crafts and pottery and official Wrangler National Finals Rodeo merchandise.
Wherever you are in Nevada during this time of the year, you will probably be involved in some kind of holiday activity. Hold the egg nog and punch to a safe level, get your worst enemy to drive you home, spend way too much money, and above all, enjoy, be warm and safe, and have a Holly Jolly.
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