While Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki was surely just trying to increase interest in Nevada’s Sesquicentennial celebration and even though it was unintentional, he caused some concern in Carson City in the process.
But Krolicki said Carson City need not be concerned.
In a letter dated June 30 to Assemblyman Pete Livermore, Krolicki, who’s the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission chairman, announced Las Vegas would hold its first Nevada Day Parade on Friday, Oct. 31. Vegas will hold its parade a day before this community will hold its Nevada Day Parade, which will be on Saturday, Nov. 1. In his letter, Krolicki also makes no mention of Carson City’s parade, the longest running Nevada Day Parade in the state.
Krolicki, though, said Thursday the parade in Vegas in no way is an attempt to move the state parade out of Carson City.
“Because we care about celebrating our 150th, we are just putting Nevada Day on turbo charge,” Krolicki said. “Of course we will have the traditional, massive and incredibly well attended parade in Carson City. But it’s our national birthday on Friday and Las Vegas is participating fully. We’re having a parade in Elko as well this year. These are part of the signature events for the Sesquicentennial Commission.”
“We’re just delighted, proud that on this Nevada Day, on our 150th birthday, that all of Nevada is participating in parades.”
In the letter to Livermore, Krolicki stated, “I invite and encourage you to participate in the Las Vegas Nevada Day Parade which will be held in downtown Las Vegas along 4th Street on October 31, 2014. I hope you will be able to join me, Governor (Brian) Sandoval and the Sesquicentennial Commissioners in what will be a memorable celebration of our state’s history.”
The obvious concern for those in Carson City is the Vegas parade would be competition for its parade. Livermore, though while concerned, took the letter in stride.
“I don’t believe Brian (Krolicki) intentionally tried to leave Carson City out” of the letter, Livermore said. But “I’m worried about Carson City,” he also said.
There’s always been a Northern Nevada vs. Southern Nevada rivalry, which Livermore alluded to when he said, “Carson City has been on the defensive about a lot of things,” mentioning such issues as education funding.
Livermore also said he doubted Las Vegas would make its parade an annual event.
But Livermore did say about Krolicki’s letter, “I’m really very disappointed by the Lt. Governor’s omission of the Capital City as the location of the seat of state government.”
Krolicki is expected to once again host the annual chili feed that takes part during Carson City’s Nevada Day celebration.
And as Carson City Chamber of Commerce Immediate Past Chairman Gil Yanuck pointed out, many more parts of the state, including Las Vegas, are becoming more involved in Nevada Day this year, something that hasn’t been the case in the past.
“I think it’s nice for Las Vegas to jump on board and have a parade,” Yanuck said. “At least they’re doing something. I think it’s about time they got on board.”
But Yanuck did say Vegas should give credit to the state’s capital community in its celebration.
“This is a time for the entire state to celebrate, and we need to recognize the efforts of all our communities,” Mayor Robert Crowell said.
