Welcome to Carson Valley Days – 2016

The first Carson Valley Day was June 11, 1910, 106 years to the day of today’s CV Parade. Formed to show off Carson Valley’s agricultural prowess and the new town of Minden, the event saw more than twice as many visitors in one as the entire county had residents. Most everyone in the Valley had a hand in organizing the even, feeding visitors and entertaining them. Special trains brought an estimated 3,000 visitors to Minden. (The Record-Courier, Friday, June 10, 2016)

The celebration has expanded to several days, but it continues some fun, small town traditions. Just a few of the activities that happened today after the parade were: Kids’ Balloon Toss, Kids’ Greased Pole contest, Horseshoe Tournament, Watermelon Eating Contest, Arm Wrestling, Life Music, Tricycle Races and carnival rides.  Sunday will feature a Craft Show, Food Vendors, a Rubber Duck Derby, a Volleyball Tournament and more live music. Fun to do and watch. (Don’t forget to click on the image if you wish to enlarge it to see more detail)

The Official CV Days Pin

Jerri and I like to go to the parade to see all the entries, holler at parade participants we know, enjoy the camaraderie of surrounding people and the parade entrants, gather in the candy that is tossed/handed out during the parade (for Jerri’s grandkids, of course) and just flat out enjoy the fun. So here is an account of the parade that lasted about an hour and a half. (in contrast to the October 31 Nevada Day Parade that has every politician as well as everybody and his uncle in it and last about 3-4 hours depending on which election is happening that year).  I should also add that the Carson Valley Parade is not the Rose Parade. Floats are usually decorated flatbed trailers and are pulled by pickups, trucks or tractors.   Usually there are no marching bands because school is out for the summer. But today, the Douglas High School Tiger Band marched. They sounded pretty good for having no seniors. Well, I’ll just show you what came down the street.

The parade began with a color guard. Jerri was very disappointed that we, and a couple of old geezers, were the only ones who stood as the flag passed. An interesting commentary about our majority of “patriotic” inhabitants. I forgot to get the camera out until the tractors came by. Douglas County has an antique engine and tractor show each year and owners love to show off their machines.

I love this picture of the grandpa with his grandson (or perhaps great-grandson?)

This couple is staying cool with their snazzy red and white umbrella.

This tractor was even pulling a stagecoach!

The theme was a Pirate’s Life this year and we saw many pirate hats, swords, eye patches and other swashbuckling accessories.

Jerri’s granddaughter Megan walked the route with her gymnastics group, Tumbleweeds. Their float won the youth division trophy.

All sorts of transportation are used during the parade.

Here is a kid going against the grain on his motorized skateboard. He operates it with a remote control.

Another type of transport is the little cars the Shriners use to entertain the audience. This guy was just about to go into a very tight doughnut. He looked like he was having a blast.

Of course there have to be some equestrians. The Sheriff’s Mounted Posse had already gone by and these riders were representing an endurance ride. Note the pirate hats on the lead horses.

Northern Nevadans support the UN Reno Wolfpack wholeheartedly and wear shirts, hats, jackets and even decorate their vehicles with the logos to show their pride.

Many local folks love to restore classic cars and trucks. There is even a group called the Firematics that restores fire engines.

A huge semi truck was towing a guy in a totally crazy sawed off Cadillac with amps in lieu of a hood and a keyboard where the dash should be. The car elevates and turns around in circles while he is playing the keyboard.

People love this totally bizarre dude!

A last chance type of transport is this entry of the Main Street, Gardnerville Coffin Races.

People really turn out to watch these tricked out coffins hurry to the FINISH line.

On Saturday, June 18, The Great Race will begin in San Rafael, CA and will traverse the Sierras in time for a lunch stop in Gardnerville the next day.  More than 60 pre-WWII cars will be racing all the way to Moline, IL for a grand prize of $250,000! So it’s a big honor to be selected as a stopping point for this race.

Do any of you remember the Desert Bag that people hung on the side of the car or the bumper?

I don’t think these cars will actually be in the race but they will certainly be in the classic car show in Gardnerville that day.

I’m not advocating the candidates touted on this vehicle, but it reminded me of a truck in the Disney movie, “Cars.” Check out the phone number on the door. Who remembers a number having only three digits?

Northern Nevada had many Basque sheepherders taking care of their herds (flocks?) and they lived in wagons similar to this. Mottsville was a little town with several big ranches a bit west of Minden/Gardnerville area. I don’t know if they are still used.

The Sierra Stompers are always a hit in the Carson Valley Days Parade. They bring their big tired ATVs (or whatever the proper term is for them) and perform some great simulations of going over difficult terrain.

Nonchalant dudes in the back of the vehicle to the left.

This looks like a multi-vehicle pile up but they are demonstrating their driving skills for the parade judges sitting under the canopy on the right. The nonchalant dudes still don’t care what’s happening around them.

Take me home, Dad. I’m dog tired!

Jerri and I really enjoy this parade. There is nothing fancy or very sophisticated about it, but it is so typical of northern Nevada.  some folks would say it’s hokey but it’s good fun and depicts who we are and what we do.  Kinda down home, I guess. I hope you noticed the sky and the mountains in the background in some of the pictures. It was such a beautiful morning and by later afternoon, it had clouded up and we had a bit of rain and thunder and lightening. There is never a dull moment here in the Carson Valley.