History

The real story behind Nevada Day

The Nevada Day celebration in the capitol city has been continuous since 1938 except for a break of three years during World War II.  Following its return, when an estimated 20,000 people attended the day-long event in 1945, Nevada Day became one of the biggest celebrations in the state.

"The little state capitol was completely engulfed, wrote The Nevada Magazine (not to be confused with today's Nevada Magazine) in 1945.  "Some 1,200 people rode the V&T Railroad, which had to charter extra cars in last-minute desperation from the Southern Pacific.  Automobiles extended in double lanes, bumper to bumper from Steamboat Springs to Carson City.  It was some show!"

In 1948, October 31 fell on a Sunday for the first time since the parade had been held in Carson City.  Nevada Day officials decided it was more appropriate to celebrate the event on Monday.  The next year a bill, introduced by Assemblyman Frank Bacigalupi Jr., of Washoe County, was signed by Governor Vail Pittman making Nevada Day an official state holiday only for state and local government offices.  All public offices were to be closed; however, school districts could hold classes on Nevada Day if it fell on a weekday.  Also, if October 31 fell on a Sunday, then Nevada Day was to be observed as a holiday on the following Monday.  October 31, 1954, fell on a Sunday again, but this time Nevada Day officials held the parade on a Saturday.  Halloween was observed on Sunday, and Monday was a state holiday.  The event was a money-maker, helping to sustain the annual celebration which had lost money the previous year.

History:
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Site updated February 29, 2008
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