The red, white and blue will be front and center for this year's Nevada Day Parade, says Parade Director Joe DiLonardo.
The U.S. Marine Band, a squadron of F/A-18 jets and a special moment of silence for those who perished in the Sept. 11 tragedy are all scheduled for this year's event.
A squadron of F/A-18s from Fallon Naval Air Station will signal the beginning of the parade at 10 a.m. Oct. 27, followed by a proclamation commemorating the special tribute from Gov. Kenny Guinn. The moment of silence is slated for an hour later, when the parade will come to a standstill.
"We'll be asking for a moment of silence as all entries and viewers to stand in memory of those who perished," he said. "The public address system will inform the spectators and the chimes at the Laxalt Building will play the 'Star-Spangled Banner' and 'God Bless America.' This will be the first event of this type in Nevada to be proclaimed by the governor."
A public address system will be located along the route, close to the 50,000 spectators, according to DiLonardo.
"When the chimes of the Laxalt Memorial Building ring out we will all join together, either in spirit or in person, to sing 'God Bless America' and the 'Star Spangled Banner,'" DiLonardo said.
The U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard and Marine Corps 29 Palms Band will lead the parade, a number of veterans' groups are expected to march among the 196 entrants, and a series of hot air balloons will add a new twist as they lift off along the parade route starting about 9:30 a.m.
Events celebrating Nevada's statehood begin today with a Carson City Symphony concert, and on Wednesday the annual fair and carnival open in Mills Park.
The official state holiday is Friday, Oct. 26, and events continue through Sunday, Oct. 29. A complete schedule for the celebration, as well as full descriptions of the events, appears in the 68-page official program inside today's Nevada Appeal.
IF YOU GO
What: Nevada Day Parade
Where: Carson Street from William to Stewart streets
When: 10 a.m. Oct. 27
