As the 99th Carson Valley Days parade advanced under an overcast sky on Saturday, parade-goers celebrated this year's theme, Carson Valley Days of the Past, not only by hallooing the tractors, horses and fire trucks, but by recalling what it is that draws them to the sidelines of Highway 395 each year.
"It's all about the family tradition," said Gardnerville resident Kathy Trujillo. "This is the most family-oriented place, and that's why we moved here from California."
Trujillo moved to the Valley 12 years ago and was soon followed by her two children and eight grandchildren.
"They followed me and got jobs here because they loved the small-town feel," she said. " I remember our first Carson Valley Days. We saw all these tractors and the Bing Construction trucks, and we couldn't stop laughing, because we had never seen anything like that in the city."
For Trujillo, Carson Valley Days means marching bands and farm equipment. It means lounging in a comfortable chair beside the highway as her grandchildren run up and down the sidewalk, catching with plastic bags the oncoming barrage of candy.
"I hope it never stops," she said.
Grandchildren Wyatt Williams and Molly Cloutier, both 5, hope for the same.
"I like the guys that spray water," Wyatt said, waving at a passing fire truck. "I think I want to be a fireman when I grow up, and a cop, and I want to go into the Army."
Around 9 a.m., in a light drizzle, the first runners of the Partnership of Community Resources' walk, jog, run event appeared. Behind them sounded the shrill cries of sirens, growing louder by the minute, then finally the visible enfilade of flashing lights.
"Look," one tyke shouted. "Here it comes!"
Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini greeted spectators with a wave from the sunroof of a Hummer, while East Fork firefighters threw candy from atop a fire truck. When the vehicles were gone, before the next wave of floats, children of all ages rushed the candy-littered streets.
"I like suckers," proclaimed 6-year-old Alex Schreckengost. "Some have gum in them."
Alex was waiting with his mother Shannon for the arrival of the Soroptimist jail, his favorite part of the parade.
"I love when people go inside," he said. "They should have buttons."
Other parade-goers marveled at the trampoline acrobatics of Tumbleweed Gymnastics, or the 10-foot flame shooting like an orange geyser from the top of Gimli Ironwork's refurbished fire truck. There were plenty of other stunts and spectacles, but one persistent theme did emerge; this year, people chose to represent Carson Valley Days past by displaying Carson Valley's rich history.
The Trimmer Ranch of Genoa showcased a 1927 Fordson Tractor and a 1929 Hoover Potato Harvester, and Bently Agrowdynamics rolled out a 1914 Case steam tractor. The Genoa Bar showed off Nevada's oldest saloon by staging a scene from the Old West: two cowboys, rifles in hand, sitting at a rustic bar.
"It's nice to see all this," said Gardnerville resident Jennifer Hernandez, who moved to the Valley in 2004. "We came from the larger cities of Southern California."
Hernandez and her two daughters, Candus, 17, and Jenessa, 3, were waiting for someone special in the parade.
"I'm looking for a cute little ninja," Hernandez said.
That ninja was 6-year-old son Anthony, who was part of Northwest Martial Arts' Little Ninjas float.
Reveling in the small-town feel of the celebration, Hernandez was one of many proud residents who admired the memories of the past while simultaneously making new memories for the present.
A banner hanging from Carson Valley Community Theatre's float summed it up: "The world is a stage, and history is our scenes."
