Nevada 150 Events
Celebrations heat up across the Silver State in June.
By Jeri Chadwell
Nevada continues to celebrate throughout June as we draw closer to the big finale of the sesquicentennial celebration on Nevada Day, October 31. Highlighted below are several June events you’ll not want to miss. To view a full list of 40 official Nevada 150 events scheduled for June, visit the Nevada 150 events calendar online.
Historic Reno Preservation Society Walking Tours—June 3, 7, 10, & 14
If you’re a history buff or just in the mood to mosey, you’re in luck. June is a lovely time of year to enjoy the beauty of Reno’s various neighborhoods, and the folks of the Historic Reno Preservation Society are just the people to do so with. HRPS offers 28 different walking tours through areas around the city, with eight tours scheduled in June. Tours are free for HRPS members and $10 for non-members. To learn more or to register for tours, visit the society’s website at: historicreno.org or call 775-747-4478. Here are a few of the tours scheduled in June:
University Historic District—June 3, 6 p.m.
Tour guides Jack Hursh and Bob Shriver will take participants in this tour to visit some of the most beautiful historical buildings on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. The tour includes Morril Hall, the Mackay School of Mines, and the W. M. Keck Earth Science & Mineral Engineering Museum. The Keck Museum is Nevada’s second oldest and houses impressive collections of rare minerals, mining relics, fossils, and more.- Prohibition in Reno—June 7, 10 a.m.
Enjoy learning more about the Prohibition era in Reno as you walk the streets and alleys of downtown. Participants will visit historically significant building and enjoy a guest appearance by a local dignitary. - Wells Avenue Neighborhood—June 10, 6 p.m.
Follow the path of the Wells Avenue streetcar and cross the site of the old V&T railroad tracks on Holcomb Avenue while learning more about the history of this neighborhood just east of Midtown Reno. - Historic Nevada State Hospital—June 14, 10 a.m.
Nevada’s first state hospital—originally a mental institution—stands at the intersection of Galletti Way and Glendale Avenue in Sparks. This walking tour includes a visit to the hospital cemeteries, a walk through the 110-year-old “Stone House,” and look at some buildings designed by the architect, Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps.
Elko Mining Expo—June 5 & 6
The 29th annual Elko Mining Expo, hosted by the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority, will draw thousands of people from around the globe to see cutting-edge mining industry exhibits and rub elbows with some of the industry’s leading professionals. For additional information, visit exploreelko.com or call 800-248-3559.
Family Fun Day at the National Atomic Testing Museum—June 7
It’s good, old-fashioned fun at the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, where—on June 7—visitors can participate in activities ranging from a duck and cover game to a “create your own fallout shelter” craft station. This event is designed to educate participants about the Civil Defense Program of the 1950s and 60s. First responders will also be on hand to discuss strategies for handling more commonplace emergencies. For more information or to register please visit nationalatomictestingmuseum.org or call 702-794-5151.
Wendover Will’s Birthday Bash—June 13
The birthday celebration for Wendover’s waving greeter is set to take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain time in West Wendover) at the Victory Highway Monument parking lot, just off North Gene L. Jones Way in West Wendover. Wendover Will is turning 62 this year, and the city of West Wendover has arranged for quite a celebration in his honor. The city is awarding prizes for a local art competition featuring mixed media ranging from poetry to paintings. Guests also have the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to the 63-foot-tall cowboy and enjoy birthday cupcakes. For additional information please visit westwendovercity.com or call 775-664-3081.
Sesquicentennial Stewart Father’s Day Powwow—June 13-15
The Stewart Indian School was open from 1890 to 1980. Today, the 83 buildings that make up the campus are a part of a self-guided walking tour with 20 points of interest and audio stories that visitors can access using a personal cellphone. The walking tour and annual Father’s Day Powwow are designed to educate the public about Native American culture and the history of the school. This year’s powwow features Stewart Indian School alumni, vendors, dancing competitions, and drummers. The event, which draws crowds from Nevada and the surrounding states, is free and open to the public. For more information, visit stewartindianschool.com or call 775-687-8333.
Genoa Sesquicentennial Celebration—June 14
It’s a dual celebration in Genoa as the town celebrates Nevada’s sesquicentennial and the 65th anniversary of the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department. The celebration features a bevy of workshops, historical reenactments, and demonstrations. Mark Twain, the Pony Express, the Basque Community, the Washoe Tribe of Carson Valley, and the Mormon Battalion are just some of those to be featured. For more information, contact Martin Manning at [email protected] or call 775-781-1236.