Nevada Day, Halloween in the 'Boo!ks'

Even though Nevada’s 158^th birthday was Oct. 31, it was celebrated this year two days before Halloween on Saturday with a parade in Carson City.

The Douglas High School marching band and 60 cadets from the Douglas High School Jr. ROTC Tiger Battalion were among the Douglas County entries, including Sierra Lutheran High School and Bethlehem Lutheran School, the Washoe Tribe and E. Clampus Vitus Snowshoe Thompson Chapter. There were nearly 200 parade entries including businesses, police and fire departments, clubs and politicians from throughout the state. Douglas Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, R-Gardnerville, and Democratic candidate for his seat, Janice Noble, both marched in the parade.

On actual Nevada Day, trick-or-treaters walked through the maze at Fright at the Fairgrounds haunted house without the fright, but with the same spooky feel during the 2022 Safety Street Trick or Treat event Monday.

In the maze, Carson Valley Food Closet volunteer Gwynn Guiette passed out candy while surrounded by body parts and a monster on a gurney in Frankenstein’s laboratory exhibit while dressed like a jar of peanut butter.

“I’m just a jar of peanut butter in a Frankenstein room,” said Guiette “It’s kind of funny to be in this room and dressed like this, but I’m here from the food closet providing fun and food.”

The Carson Valley Food Closet was one of the more than 20 vendors to participate in the event including local businesses and clubs from Greater Nevada Credit Union, Boys and Girls, Family Support Council, Carson Tahoe Health and more.

Many of the vendors said the kids and families enjoyed the haunted house feel of the event.

“It gives it a different feel, being in the haunted house,” said Kaycee Summers from the Carson Valley Girls’ Softball League. “The kids seem to enjoy it; it’s been fun.”

In the past Safety Street was hosted at the CVIC Hall in Minden. In recent years, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office moved the trick or treat event to the fairgrounds.

“It’s a tradition and I like that,” said Araceli Valadez from Partnership of Douglas County.

Safety Street has been a looked forward alternative for trick or treaters since 1994 when it was founded as a joint effort between the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and The Record-Courier. Today, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office runs the event along with Fright at the Fairgrounds.

“It’s a good and safe environment for all the kids to come and enjoy the and that’s the biggest thing,” said Coleen Lawrence from MoxyUp, “to have a safe place that parents can trust to bring their kids to.”

The cost of entry per child was $5 and all proceeds go the Douglas County Explorers, who also give out raffle prizes during the event.

“Each kid got a ticket they can trade in for a prize after they go through,” said Douglas County Explorer Katie Reckford. “We actually earn money throughout out the year during different local events to be able to purchase the prizes.”

Prizes included small toys to bikes and skateboards and the children were able to pick what they wanted. Reckford said the bikes and skateboards were for the tickets with a gold star.

Also, a tradition during the event is the costume contest. Best family, individual and kid costume are chosen at the end of the night on Halloween.