Nevada Appeal at 150: Nov. 1, 1972: 250,000 people turn out for Nevada Day festivities

Nov. 1, 1972: 25,000 people turn out for Nevada Day festivities

Sunny, relatively warm weather graced the celebration of Nevada’s 108th year of statehood. Colorful, elaborate displays included Indian dancers, floats, longhorn steers, and two mini-horses, as well as a dog driving a car.

A Reno woman and her two children were treated for minor injuries at Carson Tahoe Hospital and released after a pair of ponies pulling a cart became frightened when a noisemaker went off near them and galloped uncontrollably almost three blocks before running into the crowd.

In another Nevada Day mishap, firemen had to use a portable power generator to get a 13-year-old Carson City youth out of the Capitol Building elevator when it became stuck.

There were approximately 173 entries in the parade. Winners announced by the Nevada Day committee, in order of their finish, included:

Mounted Group, General: Washoe County Sheriff’s Posse, Nevada White Hats, Nevada Pinto Association, The Early Risers.

Mounted Entry, Parade Horse: Ernie Mangue, Al Asti, Patsy Knapp.

Best Sustained Character: Bertha and Tina, Nevada Division of Forestry.

Comic Entry: John Fay, Maclowns.

Marching or Drill Unit, General: Carson Girl Scouts.

Color Guard, all entries: Nevada Majorettes, Nevada Army, ROTC Reno, Marine Barracks Color Guard.

Band, General, not school, including military: Sierra Highlander Bagpipe Band, Fort Lewis Infantry Band, 20th Army Band, Nevada National Guard.

Indian Entry, General: Carson Colony Women’s Club, Little Pine-nut Pickers, Inter-tribal Council of Nevada.

Service Club Entry, including float: Carson Rotary Club, Carson City Lions Club, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla.

Historical Entry, including float: Hap McGee, Storey County Volunteer Fire Department, Carson City Postal Employees.

Old Fashioned Car Group: Ormsby House.

Special Award, Mayor’s Trophy: Cecil the Sea Serpent.

This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.