Events for kids packs today's Dayton Valley Days schedule

Organizers say today is the day to bring the kids to Dayton Valley Days.

Patty Polish said several thousand people showed up Saturday to roam among 120 vendors who set up all along Pike Street and through Old Town Dayton. But she said they expect many more families with small children today because of events ranging from the broomstick pony races to noodle slurping contests and the watermelon-seed spitting contest.

There will also be train rides and a booth by Child Find, the organization dedicated to providing parents with fingerprints and photographs of their children in case of abduction.

Organizer Fred Atkinson said the event raised more than $6,000 last year and he's hoping to do better this year. The money goes to Lyon County's Search and Rescue efforts and to help restore Old Town Dayton.

Saturday's schedule featured a parade and art show as well as a silent auction and scavenger hunt, square dancers and "fire dancers."

Today's schedule kicks off with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. Formal events on the schedule conclude with the Road Kill Raffle drawing at 3 p.m.