Nevada Day events get rolling, with the official holiday on Friday

The annual carnival at Mills Park already has begun, and the big parade down Carson Street will be Saturday. But the official Nevada Day is marked on Friday, when several events get rolling and many offices will be closed.

Nevada was formally admitted as the nation's 36th state Oct. 31, 1864, and Nevada Day, the celebration of the state's admittance, has been officially recognized as a state holiday since 1939.

However, voters in 1998 approved a change to make the last Friday in October the "official" Nevada Day holiday. That turned the event into a three-day celebration which, in Carson City, actually stretches for more than a week.

Today at Great Basin Gallery, for example, a 20-piece exhibit of historic Nevada landscape photographs opens. See Page C1 for more on the show.

On Friday, a marching band festival, tour of Carson City's east side, 1864 Grand Ball, performance of "Cinderella" and Lacy J. Dalton concert will be among the activities. A schedule also appears on Page C1.

But some things won't be happening on Friday, as schools, various government offices and some businesses will close to observe the holiday.

State and Carson City government offices will be closed on Friday.

The Carson City Marriage Bureau, 885 E. Musser St., will be open from 9-4:30 p.m.

The front counter of the Carson City Sheriff's Department will be open. However, there will be no visitation at the Carson City Jail.

The Carson City Senior Citizens Center along with Dayton, Douglas County, Silver Springs, Storey County and Fernley centers will be closed.

In Minden, a clerk is on call from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. for marriage licenses. To make an appointment call 885-5995.

For marriage licenses in Stateline, the Tahoe office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 175 Highway 50. For information call 586-7290.

The marriage bureau and other county offices in Lyon and Storey counties will be closed.

The Carson City Public Library also will be closed.

The Douglas County Library is closed.

But the Northern Nevada Children's, the Nevada State and the Nevada State Railroad museums will be open.

Halloween will be celebrated on Oct. 31.

Treasure hunt clues explained

Staff reports

Here is a complete list of the clues and their explanations in the third annual Nevada Day Treasure Hunt.

Bonnie Nishikawa, a Carson City grandmother, spotted the hidden medallion Tuesday morning in the May Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Reno to win the $1,000 prize.

The clues and explanations are:

Clue 1:

I wish I may

I wish I might

Receive One Thousand

To my delight!

Explanation: Introduction to the Treasure Hunt. Clever cluesters should pick up on the word "may."

Clue 2:

In 1883

Two became one

Now the hunt has begun.

Explanation: In 1883 Washoe and Roop counties were combined to form simply Washoe County. The medallion is hidden in Washoe County.

Clue 3

A division of state

Split by water

Are you onto the trail?

Are you getting hotter?

Explanation: The state of Nevada is divided by counties. Washoe County is

split by the Truckee River.

Clue 4:

A native captain

Might ring a bell

If it does

You're doing well.

Explanation: Captain Truckee, as he was called by explorers, means "doing

well" in Washoe.

Clue 5:

A toss-up between

Argenta and this name

Resulted in honoring

A man who was slain.

Explanation: Reno is named for Jesse Reno, who was killed in the Mexican War. Argenta was also a popular choice in naming the city of Reno.

Clue 6:

He was a leader

In his circle of friends

An omnipresent

Gentleman.

Explanation: Patrick McCarran was a state senator. The words "circle" and

"omnipresent" are references to McCarran Boulevard, which encompasses Reno and narrows the hunting field.

Clue 7:

Hisperia

Marks the end,

To the west

Hopes do wend.

Explanation: Hisperia, Calif.,marks the southern end of Highway 395. The medallion is hidden to the west of Highway 395

Clue 8:

From the castle

At forty-five

Fifteen 'til

The kings arrive.

Explanation: On a map, if a 45-degree line is drawn from Castle Peak in Storey County to the Kings Row neighborhood of Reno, it is approximately 15 miles. The neighborhood is just south of the medallion and puts cluesters in the general hunting area.

Clue 9:

You can find Evan

If you are clever

And use this riddle

To help your endeavor.

Explanation: Evans Creek runs through the park in which the medallion is

found.

Clue 10:

Park near an arch

From sunrise to sunset;

Shamrocks and Blarney Stone

Are a sure bet.

Explanation: At the south entrance to the park is an arch, adjacent also to

a shamrock and Blarney Stone.

Clue 11:

How the two sparkle

How the two shine

Does M and then W

Give you a sign?

Explanation: Wilbur May's 2,600-acre Double Diamond Ranch is named for the brand created from stacking his "W" and "M" initials. The Wilbur May Center is at the park where the medallion is hidden.

Clue 12:

If the prize you pine for

Has got you down

Things should be looking up

Don't frown.

Explanation: The medallion hangs on the branch of a Scotch pine tree and can be found by looking up.