'Misfits' remembered at Dayton celebration

This year's Dayton Valley Days honors the 50th anniversary of the filming of "The Misfits," as well as Farmers of Yesterday and Today.

This annual tradition takes place Saturday and Sunday and is hosted for the first time by Healthy Communities Coalition, Community Roots, Central Lyon County Youth Connections and the Historical Society of Dayton Valley - all local, nonprofit organizations.

Proceeds benefit the many programs these entities support, including the Dayton Food Pantry. Central Lyon County Youth Connections also is helping students needing extra assistance to graduate high school, said Quest Lakes, Healthy Communities Coalition Task Force coordinator.

"This is our first year hosting Dayton Valley Days, and the community's support is especially important as the need for services has gone up in Lyon County," Lakes said. "We're between 20 and 26 percent unemployment in Lyon, so Healthy Communities needs to be able to provide more services than ever before."

This family friendly event has been expanded to include more fun and activities.

The venue is open Saturday from 9 a.m. to dusk, with the parade at 10 a.m.

Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a pet parade at noon. Grand marshals for Saturday's parade are retired state historian Guy Rocha and long-time Dayton rancher Kay Winters.

Both parades include a Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable look alike category and locals are encouraged to get their costumes on and come play.

Many of the days' activities are offered at no cost and include a Victorian dance demonstration, a show and shine hosted by Dayton Valley Car Club, music and entertainment. A children's area will be set up and includes a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, games and more.

Visitors also can enjoy an expanded offering of food vendors as well as the usual arts and crafts vendors.

At 2 p.m., Judge Camille Vaccarelli will preside over a mass renewal of wedding vows on the steps of the Dayton courthouse.

"This is amusing because 'The Misfits' is a movie about divorce," Lakes said. "But anyone wanting to renew their vows is invited to participate."

Locals who might have been extras on the movie set in Dayton or Stagecoach Misfit Flats are invited to come record their oral histories so the stories can be preserved. Call 775-246-3256, or visit daytonnvhistory.org, for more information.

The Misfits Theater Group in conjunction with Dayton Valley Historical Society, present "The Filming of The Misfits Remembered," Saturday at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The show is written and directed by Carol Bauer and Sheila Steele.

The performance begins at the front entry of Odeon Hall, 65 Pike St., where a docent will show visitors where Marilyn Monroe's famous paddleball scene took place. Tickets cost $10 and are available at the door.

Healthy Communities Coalition received $120,000 grant to promote healthy eating in local schools and within the local communities, which ties in with the Farmers of Yesterday and Today part of the theme, Lakes said.

She explained this is a matching grant which over three years will be used to offset operations costs, as well as establish on-site gardens in the communities and schools.

"With the holidays soon here, we are asking everyone to bring a canned food item for donation to the Dayton Food Pantry," said Sheri White, promotions manager.

For more information, visit daytonvalleydays.org.