Nevada Day Parade winners walk away with more than trophies

After 24 years of riding in parades, Betty Young-Rau still gets a kick out of winning.

"I still get goose pimples every time I win," said Young-Rau, a California native who now lives in Fallon.

Young-Rau walked away with a first-place trophy in the Best-Dressed Cowgirl division of Saturday's annual Nevada Day parade.

"I'm very pleased," she said.

Awards for the 210 entries were handed out Saturday night at the Brewery Arts Center, rewarding individuals and organizations for their participation in the parade.

The Silver Spur Arabians won first place in the junior division of the best-dressed mounted category.

Carrie Peck rode in the group.

"This is the first parade she's ridden in by herself," said Carrie's mother Frankie Peck. "She rode a big ole stallion. It was fun."

Carrie said she plans to continue to ride in parades.

"It's fun, all the people seeing you there," Carrie said.

Three judges were set aside just to judge the music and one to judge the flag and drill teams.

Incline High School claimed second place in the marching band division, class AA.

"It's very cool," the band director said. "I'm very proud of them. They worked very hard."

However, Parade Chairman Joe Dilonardo was disappointed with the turnout of high school bands. He said the band competition at the University of Nevada, Reno drew bands away from the parade.

"That's a bone of contention that we'll have to resolve with the band director at UNR," Dilonardo said. "If it wouldn't have been for the competition, there would have been at least six or eight more bands in the parade."