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A Confederate soldier reenactor fires his rifle at Union troops during the Virginia City Labor Day Parade in 2008. The Comstock Civil War reenactors will help celebrate the Virginia City Sesquicentennial with demonstrations Friday and Saturday in the Ramada Inn parking lot.
by Matt Farley
Special to the Nevada Appeal
This weekend, a century and a half after the Comstock Lode silver strike, Virginia City locals and thousands of visitors will celebrate one of Nevada’s most recognizable cities.
The three-day Virginia City Sesquicentennial festival will feature dozens of events designed to show off the town’s anachronistic charm, planners said. From the bawdy humor of the burlesque show “A Handful of Nickels” to high tea at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the weekend will offer “things for everyone,” organizer Izabella Hunt-Jones said.
“It’s a very special time,” she said. “There are a lot of historic places in Nevada, not to mention the rest of the country. (Virginia City) may not be wealthy, but we’ve managed to stay alive and keep our heritage alive, which really needs to be remembered.”
Recognition efforts have been under way since January, Hunt-Jones said. The city has invested in new banners to greet visitors as they drive into town along C Street, and the city will continue unveiling new historic markers throughout the year. A full-length memorial edition of the Territorial Enterprise newspaper will also be released this week, highlighting various news stories and people from Virginia City’s history.
“We definitely expect that to be a real collectible,” Hunt-Jones said.
The festival will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Piper’s Opera House with the first performance of “A Handful of Nickels.” The show will include music and skits from award-winning performers. Local restaurant Cafe del Rio also will offer a special sesquicentennial menu beginning Friday night, and many area restaurants will set up booths along C Street beginning Saturday.
The festival will shift into high gear on Saturday and Sunday with events spanning the entire city. A gun show, a gypsy art demonstration, an antique sale and multiple re-enactments are all set for the rest of the weekend. Voices from the Past at the Silver Terrace cemetery promises to be one high point, Hunt-Jones said.
“There’s a whole lot going on all weekend,” she said. “But Saturday has the most events. And they’re all free or cost a dollar or two at most.”
A large parade led by actors portraying Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln will start at noon on Saturday. Modern Gov. Jim Gibbons also will make an appearance, as will members of several families with deep roots in the Virginia City area, parade director Karen Woodmansee said.
Planners still are looking for volunteers to help with the event, Hunt-Jones said. Interested parties can contact the Virginia City Convention & Tourism Authority, or simply show up at the VCCTA office at 86 S. C St. around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
“We’re asking people to dress in period costume,” Hunt-Jones said. “But with 150 years of history, that means pretty much anything.”
While this weekend’s celebration marks the “official” high point of Virginia City’s 150th year, further events abound.
“It’s really not the end,” Hunt-Jones said. “We’re already working on Christmas on the Comstock for December. We’ll be raising the first city Christmas tree in years.”
Special to the Nevada Appeal
This weekend, a century and a half after the Comstock Lode silver strike, Virginia City locals and thousands of visitors will celebrate one of Nevada’s most recognizable cities.
The three-day Virginia City Sesquicentennial festival will feature dozens of events designed to show off the town’s anachronistic charm, planners said. From the bawdy humor of the burlesque show “A Handful of Nickels” to high tea at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the weekend will offer “things for everyone,” organizer Izabella Hunt-Jones said.
“It’s a very special time,” she said. “There are a lot of historic places in Nevada, not to mention the rest of the country. (Virginia City) may not be wealthy, but we’ve managed to stay alive and keep our heritage alive, which really needs to be remembered.”
Recognition efforts have been under way since January, Hunt-Jones said. The city has invested in new banners to greet visitors as they drive into town along C Street, and the city will continue unveiling new historic markers throughout the year. A full-length memorial edition of the Territorial Enterprise newspaper will also be released this week, highlighting various news stories and people from Virginia City’s history.
“We definitely expect that to be a real collectible,” Hunt-Jones said.
The festival will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Piper’s Opera House with the first performance of “A Handful of Nickels.” The show will include music and skits from award-winning performers. Local restaurant Cafe del Rio also will offer a special sesquicentennial menu beginning Friday night, and many area restaurants will set up booths along C Street beginning Saturday.
The festival will shift into high gear on Saturday and Sunday with events spanning the entire city. A gun show, a gypsy art demonstration, an antique sale and multiple re-enactments are all set for the rest of the weekend. Voices from the Past at the Silver Terrace cemetery promises to be one high point, Hunt-Jones said.
“There’s a whole lot going on all weekend,” she said. “But Saturday has the most events. And they’re all free or cost a dollar or two at most.”
A large parade led by actors portraying Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln will start at noon on Saturday. Modern Gov. Jim Gibbons also will make an appearance, as will members of several families with deep roots in the Virginia City area, parade director Karen Woodmansee said.
Planners still are looking for volunteers to help with the event, Hunt-Jones said. Interested parties can contact the Virginia City Convention & Tourism Authority, or simply show up at the VCCTA office at 86 S. C St. around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
“We’re asking people to dress in period costume,” Hunt-Jones said. “But with 150 years of history, that means pretty much anything.”
While this weekend’s celebration marks the “official” high point of Virginia City’s 150th year, further events abound.
“It’s really not the end,” Hunt-Jones said. “We’re already working on Christmas on the Comstock for December. We’ll be raising the first city Christmas tree in years.”
Highlights & Schedule
Piper’s presents ‘A Handful of Nickels’
Piper’s Opera House will present the show “A Handful of Nickels,” a raucous compilation of the funniest and best-loved comedy skits and music from 19th and 20th century vaudeville and burlesque. Puns, fun, silliness and double entendre abound in these classic skits and songs handed down from top bananas and second fiddles through the ages. Some content may not be appropriate for young children. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets or more information, call 847-0433 or (866) 422-1956. www.pipersoper ahouse.com Piper’s Opera House is located at B and Union streets. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Gypsy Art Revival Paint Out & In The historic St. Mary’s Art Center will host artists in all media to come and create in Virginia City Saturday and Sunday. Artists can register by sending an e-mail and arrive at 9 a.m. Saturday to set up in a studio, the front porch, the grassy front yard or anywhere else in Virginia City to add color and art to the celebration. Artists will have all day Saturday to create and before joining the celebration at 4 p.m. for an art sale and mint juleps. Those staying over night are free to continue creating all day Sunday. For more information call 847-7774. To Register, send an e-mail to smacen ter@earthlink.net. The event is $10 for non-lodgers and $25 for those staying over. Voices from the Past Saturday, June 6: 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.: “Voices from the Past” at the Silver Terrace cemetery: Dressed in period clothing, actors from Fun Time Theater play the spirits of prominent Virginia City residents who are buried in the cemetery. They talk about their everyday lives in a mining town, firefighting, mining, and the lives of women on the Comstock. Schedule of Events High Tea Friday and Saturday, June 5 & 6: 11 - 2 p.m.: High Tea and Scones at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Corner of F & Taylor Streets. Friday & Saturday, June 5 & 6: 6 p.m.: Upstairs in the Café Del Rio “The Boarding House” special sesquicentennial menu ($18.59) with limited seating. Call for reservations 775-847-5151 10 - 4 p.m.: Fast Draw contest next to the Fireman’s Museum on C Street. Great Basin Gun Hawks Cowboy Fast Draw Club of Fernley will host a public demonstration. The weapons are the same type used in the 19th century American West. Cost is $5 for 10 shots. 10 a.m. June 6: The Western States Cavalry Competition will coincide with the celebration. Military horsemanship, military field jumping, mounted saber, mounted pistol, platoon drill and a mounted bugler. 10 a.m. June 6: Comstock Civil War Reenactors demonstrations at Ramada Inn parking lot 10 am - 11 a.m. June 6: Virginia City Trolley Tour. Free admission for children 12 and under 10 a.m. -3: p.m. June 6: Free admission to Historic Fourth Ward School & Museum 10-4 p.m. June 6: Gun Show & Sale, Delta Saloon Upstairs Ballroom 10-4 p.m. June 6: Antique & Collectable Sale, 246 North C Street 10:30 a.m. June 6: Free admission for Children 12 & under on the V & T Railway Train Ride 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. June 6: Joey Dillon Modern Gunslinger Show at Sutter & C Street Joey Dillon is a three-time World Champion Gunslinger. He has been called one of the best trick gun handlers by those who are in the know. He has appeared in movies, rodeos, various shows, parks and other events. 11 a.m.: Mountain Men demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 11:20 a.m.: Free admission for Children V & T Railway Train Ride 11:45 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony, time capsule burial, sesquicentennial proclamation and presentation by Gov. Jim Gibbons 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.: Victorian Fashion Show at The Comstock History Center Union & E Street, $1 adults, $.50 for children 2 p.m.: Free admission Comstock Civil War Reenactors demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 3 p.m. Free admission Mountain Men demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 6 p.m.: V& T Special Wine Train with entertainment by Chris Bayer. Adults only - $25 per person includes hors d’oeuvres and wine. Call 847-4386 for tickets 7 p.m.: Pipers Opera House presents “A Handful of Nickels” Sunday, June 7th 10 a.m.: Free admission Comstock Civil War Reenactors demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Antique Gun Show Sale continues at the Delta Ballroom 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Fast Draw Contest next to the Fireman’s Museum on C Street, $5 for 10 shots 11 a.m.: Free Admission Mountain Men demonstrations Ramada Inn parking lot 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.: Victorian Fashion Show at the Comstock History Center, Corner of Union & E streets 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.: Free admission Joey Dillon Modern Gunslinger show on Sutter & C Street 2 p.m.: Free admission Comstock Civil War Reenactors demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 2 p.m.: Pipers Opera House “A Handful of Nickels” 3 p.m.: Mountain Men demonstrations, Ramada Inn parking lot 3 p.m.: Free admission, Ophir Open Croquet Tournament at the Ophir mine pit at the corner of Sutton and Howard streets. While hotel rooms are filling up quickly ahead of the sesquicentennial, some smaller bed-and-breakfasts still had vacancies as of Tuesday, according to the Virginia City Convention & Tourism Authority. Artists might also be interested in staying at St. Mary’s Art Center (see schedule of events), although solo visitors could wind up sharing a double room with a stranger. |
Street Vibrations Spring Rally to share Virginia City roads with sesquicentennial celebration
The thousands of people expected to attend the sesquicentennial celebration will share the streets with a potentially large number of motorcyclists in town for the Street Vibrations Spring Rally, which will make driving even more treacherous than usual, planners said. “We don’t really know what to expect, since there’s never been a sesquicentennial before,” organizer Izabella Hunt-Jones said. “But every event (in Virginia City) so far this year has been packed. All I can say is park in the first spot you see. We’ll have jitneys that will take you back and forth for a dollar or so. We’re trying to make sure there are a lot of ways to get around.”
Find out more
For more information on the Virginia City Sesquicentennial celebration, check out www.visitvirginiaci
tynv.com or call (800) 718-7587. |
