Entertainment Nevada style

Today begins Nevada Day Weekend, and this year's theme is "Entertainment Nevada Style."

When people think of Nevada entertainment, they often think of showgirls and casinos. However, there are so many other forms of entertainment in the Silver State.

This year's celebration honors the full spectrum of what this great state has to offer, with events such as a beard contest, rock drilling, Railroad Museum steam-up, historic tours and an Elvis-impersonation contest. There are also events celebrated every year for Nevada Day, such as the parade down Carson Street, the RSVP carnival and fireworks, and the La ka Le'l Be Pow-Wow that truly show the diversity of Nevadans.

So enjoy Nevada's rich history, community and its people during Nevada Day Weekend. Here's a list of what's going on:

ToDAY

• RSVP Fireworks and Carnival. Carnival hours are today 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday-Sunday, noon-midnight. Fireworks begin about 7:15 p.m. Saturday. Best viewing is from Mills Park. Call 687-4680.

• "Midnight Masquerade" fund-raiser for Carson Access Television, 7 p.m. at the Carson Nugget Banquet Room, upstairs. Admission $5 per person; must be 21 to attend. Includes costume contest, raffle, original Dracula movie and more. Call 882-2839.

FRIDAY

• Charles W. Friend East Side Tour of Carson City, led by The Carson City Preservation Coalition. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Capitol steps. Charge $5 per person (children free), includes Charles W. Friend booklet. Tour is about 21Ú2 hours. Call 267-2557.

• Minting of V&T Coin, 10 a.m. at the Nevada State Museum - Carson City Mint, 600 N. Carson St. Call 687-7410.

• Trick-or-Treat Town, 6-8 p.m. Friday and Sunday (museum closed Nevada Day). Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St. Cost: $3 per child; adults free. Call: 884-2226.

• Tribute to Elvis starring Rick Alviti (an Elvis impersonator), 8:30 p.m. at the Plaza Hotel, 801 S. Carson St. Tickets $20 per person.

• La ka Le'l Be Pow-Wow at Carson Colony Gym, 2700 S. Curry St. Features Grand Entry Friday at 7 p.m. (gym open at 5), Saturday 3-5 p.m. (gym open at 1) and 7 p.m. (gym closes at midnight), Sunday at noon (gym open at 10 a.m.). Also crafts, food and refreshment. Host Drum Southern Big Medicine (Bakersfield), Northern Drum Red Hoop (Dresslerville); Head Man Elmer Atlookan; Head Woman Dayl Roach Osorio; Head Boy/Girl Colton Tahannie and Angela Lewis. No alcohol or drugs allowed; call Richard Salee at 230-8915 or Elaina Sanchez at 246-1838.

SATURDAY

• Northern Nevada Antique Power Club's Gas-Up and Static Display, 2180 S. Carson St. All day Saturday and Sunday morning. Free.

• Fifth annual Nevada Day Breakfast, 7 a.m. at Red's Old 395 Grill. Cost $5 a ticket, includes breakfast and no-host bar. Call 882-4353.

• Carson City Republican Women's Club Nevada Day Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Governor's Mansion Nevada Room/Larry Ruvo Stateroom, 606 N. Mountain St. Cost is $6 adults, $3 children under 10.

• Annual Carson Nugget Nevada Day Run, leaves from Telegraph and Curry streets at 8 a.m. An 8K run, two-mile run and two-mile walk; finishes at the Nugget. Call 883-3361.

• Hot air balloon lift-off, about 8 a.m., weather permitting, in front of Gottschalks.

• Fly-over by Naval Air Station Fallon, 10 a.m. F-18 Hornets and a French-75-mm cannon about 100 years old, refurbished by the Nevada National Guard in Carson City.

• Nevada Day Parade, around 10 a.m., Carson Street between William and Stewart streets.

• Nevada Day Steam-up, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Nevada Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St. Call 687-6953.

• Beard contest, half hour after parade ends on the Capitol steps.

• Single-Jack Drilling Contest, 11:05 a.m. Saturday in the Carson Nugget west parking lot.

• Chili feed from noon-3 p.m. in Carson Nugget's upstairs ballroom.

• Capital City Community Band's annual Nevada Day Concert, 1 p.m. at the Railroad Museum. Call 883-2219.

• International Tribute to Elvis Contest, 2 p.m. at the Plaza Hotel convention center, 801 S. Carson St. Free.

• Tour of Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St., 2-4 p.m. Call 687-3000.

• Fifth annual Silver State Rumble, 3 p.m. at Stewart Gym, 5500 Snyder Ave. Cost $8 adults, $5 seniors, free for children 11-younger.

• Nevada Day Music & Heritage Festival, 4-9 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St. Call 883-1976 or go to www.breweryarts.org. Free.

• Ride the Carson and Mills Park Railroad at Mills Park, 5-7 p.m. Those in costume ride at half price. Call 887-2523.

• Mad Hatter Ball, potluck begins at 6 p.m. Dance until 10:30 p.m. Brewery Arts Center Ballroom, upstairs at 449 W. King St. Cost $10 in advance; $12 at door; $6 children. Go to www.nevadamusic.com

• Genoa Bar's annual Nevada Day Old West Costume Party, 7 p.m. with live music by String Machine, food by Hooowlin' Good Barbecue and a shotgun salute by the Devil Mountain Brigade and special appearance by Nevada Gunslingers of Virginia City. Call 782-3870.

• 1864 Grand Ball, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday at Piper's Opera House, 12 North B St., Virginia City. Price: $35.

SUNDAY

• Trick or Treating Safe House at the Carson Plaza, 2120 E. Long St. from 6-8 p.m. Residents will hand out candy in the lobby. Call 883-1221.

• Ghost Town 2004 in Virginia City. Features events all over town, beginning at 5 p.m. including Piper's Opera House, town train, the cemetery and underground. Call 847-0311.