97th Carson Valley Days Parade salutes the troops

Nine hot air balloons billowed like giant colorful flags on the field at Carson Valley Middle School on Saturday for the first time since 2003 during the 97th annual Carson Valley Days.

Children ran to see the sight, a few brought lawn chairs and dozens came to see the 7 a.m. inflating.

The intermittent sounds of the hissing of hot air and flames could be heard as one by one the balloons rose into the sky.

"Look at that one, Skyller, look!" said Stacie Ausherman to her son who will be 3-years-old on Tuesday.

"This is our birthday weekend Carson Valley Days bash," she said. "This is just phenomenal."

One of the balloons was outfitted with three flags - the American, Nevada and a peace flag.

"It definitely fits in with the theme of supporting the troops," said Ausherman.

Bright blue skies and a calm breeze made it a perfect day for ballooning and for the Carson Valley Days Parade and carnival, hosted by the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club.

"It's a great day. Everybody loves Gardnerville," said Joe Pileggi, of Chuck's Balloon of Fernley, who had just sent up the last balloon called Treetop Flier.

The theme was patriotic for almost all of the 80 floats in the parade, such as a Jeep that displayed a sign saying, "WWII 405,000 KIA (killed in action) - They gave all their tomorrows for your today."

The grand marshals this year, according to 20-30 Club member and parade chairman Kris Kahabka, were, "Any American veteran or serviceman here today."

"Northern Nevada Lifestyles" TV show announcer Terrie Sayre and her husband, Skip, former executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority, were the parade announcers.

"This is the first year local celebrities have offered to be the announcers," said Carson Valley Days Chairman Tom Kerley of the 20-30 Club.

Kerley said the club has been preparing for Carson Valley Days for 10 and a half months. They were more organized this year than last year, he said, but hope to have more vendors next year.

Seven judges watched as two state troopers led the parade, followed by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Color Guard, vehicles and the Douglas High School and Pau-Wa-Lu and Carson Valley middle school bands, which form the Carson Valley Bands.

"Yea, yea!" said A.J. Burdick-Russell, 4, who had come with his parents, Jenni and Dennis Russell, and his 8-month-old brother, Damian Russell.

Last year A.J. had been on a float as the winner of the annual Kids Fishing Derby.

"He's having as much fun as last year," said Jenni Russell.

Children came prepared with Frisbees and grocery sacks to collect the candy thrown to them by people on the floats.

Floats made by clubs and organizations are too numerous to mention, with demonstrations by North West Martial Arts, Silver Spirit All-Star Cheer & Dance Club and even a trampoline float by Tumbleweed Gymnastics complete with a gymnast doing acrobatics.

Classic tractors had a sign that said, "Pulling for Our Troops," and other floats played patriotic tunes. The competition seemed tough, with some floats featuring live music, such as the group Relaxed Fit on the Farmers Insurance Group float, a lively trio singing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B" on the Carson Valley Community Theatre float, and the Kids Fishing Derby with a pirate ship float.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Mounted Posse and Valley Cruisers Car Club made an appearance, along with the Sierra Stompers 4WD Club Nevada, balancing on each other's wheels.

Following the parade, the crowd pushing strollers and toting coolers, to Lampe Park to attend the carnival.

The carnival that started Thursday lasts through today and includes a craft show, carnival rides and vendors. On Saturday there was a grease pole contest, arm wrestling, kids wheelbarrow race, tug-o-war, kids potato sack race, horseshoe tournament, kids three-legged race, kids water balloon toss and a raffle drawing for a Kawasaki Mule, sponsored by the Sharkey Begovich Swing for a Cure golf tournament.

The four-day event is supported by numerous sponsors including J.T. Basque Bar, GE, Lapco, Century 21 Clark Properties, JRB Machine, Carson Valley Ranch Rodeo and Carson RV Superstores.

More music was added this year by the bands Vivid, Big Bad Wolf and Super Freak. Today the carnival will continue with music from noon to 4 p.m., grease pole contest from noon to 4 p.m., glutton bowl from noon to 2 p.m., adult and kids tricycle races from 2-3 p.m. and a raffle of a Fleetwood tent trailer at 4 p.m., compliments of Carson RV Superstores.

Also today will be the Minden Ranch Rodeo Buckaroo Fest starting at 11 a.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, a Carson Valley Art Association art show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CVIC Hall in Minden, and the 15th annual Carson Valley Community Food Closet Wacky Waddler's Wiver Wace at Lampe Park.

Bob Pepperdene was announced as Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club citizen of the year on Saturday. Pepperdene has been a janitor at Douglas High School for more than 25 years, and each year selects students to be his helpers.

"I nominated him because he helps young people, kids that need it. He takes them under his wing and helps them out," said 2004 DHS graduate Tommy Lovell.

Pepperdene, who is now head janitor, said he used to have 2-3 students per period helping him, but because of restrictions, now has three assigned to him per semester.

"It's more an award for the kids. They're the future," he said.

Parade float winners

Rookie of the year (new category) - World Gym

Mounted service group - Douglas County Sheriff's Mounted Posse

Mounted youth group - Douglas County 4-H

Charitable event - Sharkey Begovich Swing for a Cure

Miscellaneous - Carson Valley Community Theatre

Engine company - Fish Spring Volunteer Fire Department

Native American group - Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California

Antique vehicle - Nevada Antique Power Club

Marching drill team unit - Walker River Colorguard

Non-commercial - Carson Valley Visitor's Authority - Magiko

Commercial - Wilson Construction

Service club - Carson Valley Shriners

Non-service club - Sierra Stompers

Youth Group

-- Originality - Kids Fishing Derby

-- Workmanship - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada

-- Portrayal of theme - Kids of Carson Valley Support Our Troops

-- Marching band - Carson Valley Bands