Celebrating Halloween, Nevada style

With a little bit of fun and some excitement sprinkled in, Nevada's first lady, Dawn Gibbons, was helping Mansion Coordinator Helen Wiemer on Wednesday prepare decorations at the mansion for Nevada Day and Halloween.

The butler on the steps of the mansion is cordial, but he's certainly not the kind of guy you want serving up your evening meal, considering the extra hand he is offering is lying severed on the serving tray.

Gibbons' face lit up as she and Wiemer played with the butler, witch and caged pirate.

Standing on a step leading to the porch, Gibbons stomped her foot in front of the butler to activate the sensor and make him "talk."

"We're going a little more kid-friendly with the decorations this year," Gibbons said. "I couldn't have done any of this without Helen."

Wiemer has found spiders and webbing, black cats and bats, witches and pirates and several other items for display at the mansion. This year, Gibbons is adding items with a Western-theme.

"We're bringing in a stagecoach and a little bit of the Old West," Gibbons said. "Also some mining artifacts."

Gibbons said she and Gov. Gibbons will be handing out goodies to the trick-or-treaters who come to celebrate Halloween with them. Nevada is said to be the only state where the governor himself hands out treats on Halloween.

"My three children and three grandchildren will be here for Halloween," she said.

"My grandchildren will be helping give out the candy. It's the kids I enjoy most about the holiday."

The vampire, "Count Igor," welcomes guests with somewhat of an accent. Gibbons relates it to that of Wiemer's, who is from England.

"Isn't this all terrific," Wiemer said. "And we've only just begun."

The two women laughed and pointed as they checked out a pale, younger-looking girl carrying a head by its hair.

"Would you look at her," Wiemer said.

The mansion will be open for tours on Nevada Day. Gibbons said refreshments will be available, also.

"We want families to see the mansion firsthand," she said. "We are sharing ownership of the mansion with the people of Nevada.

"We want them to come in and see it."

Governor and Mrs. Gibbons will be dressed casually on Halloween, and will pose for photos with trick-or-treaters.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

If you go

WHAT: Governor's Mansion tours

WHEN: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 27

WHERE: 606 N. Mountain St.

COST: Free

CALL: 687-3000

ALSO

WHAT: Trick-or-treating at the Governor's Mansion

WHEN: 4:30-8 p.m. Halloween (Oct. 31)