The annual 4th of July celebrations for Caliente and Alamo are all set for next week.
The theme for the observance in Alamo is “Happy Birthday America,” which of course it is, now 238 years. The Declaration of Independence was really approved by members of the Continental Congress on July 2, then made public on July 4, but no need to quibble about dates, July 4 is good enough.
As in previous years, the Alamo celebration gets underway on July 3rd with the motorcycle and quad races at 7 p.m. at the rodeo arena. To sign up contact Amy Huntsman, 775-962-1615.
Committee member JeAnna Canfield said with the 4th being a three-day weekend, “It allows families and visitors from out of town to come and spend a whole day, or even the full weekend.”
Friday begins with the Firecracker 5K run at 6 a.m. There is a $12 registration fee. Call Heidi Leavitt to sign up at 702-370-8482.
A flag raising will be held at 7 a.m. at the Town Monument near the high school gym.
The pancake breakfast follows at the town park sponsored by the PVHS FFA Chapter. Prices are $5 adult, $3 child or $15 family.
The Happy Birthday America parade will be at 9 a.m. For questions and information to enter the parade contact Nicole Burcham 775-962-2298.
Food and craft booths and children’s games open in the park at 10:30 a.m. and continue through much of the afternoon. There is a $10 booth reservation fee. Contact Ms. Canfield 702-239-1218.
The Pahranagat Valley Volunteer Ambulance is expected to be on display. Canfield, a local EMT, said they will be giving out stickers and suckers, and give the kids a chance to go in and see what it looks like. She said, “It’s mainly for the children, so they can see it and then if it shows up at their house or a neighbors house, they won’t be afraid and are comfortable with it.” She added this is something they have done with the second-grade class at Pahranagat Elementary, “and the kids really seem to enjoy it.”
The volleyball tournament at the high school also begins at 10:30 a.m. To enter a team, contact Ginger Whipple 775-725-3547.
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament and 3-point shot competition will be held at the high school main gym at 11 a.m. Contact Brian Higbee for entry information
The money spray for the kids will be at 11:30 at the LDS church parking lot.
The barbeque dinner in the park is at 5:30 pm. $5 for adults, $3 children, $25 family.
Alamo’s menu will be pulled pork or grilled chicken, mashed or sweet potato, corn on the cob, baked beans, pasta salad or coleslaw, dinner roll, and birthday cake.
For pre-order tickets or to-go-meals, contact Jamie Jewett at 702-540-0614 or rayjamiejewett@lcturbonet.com.
The Alamo committee also has a Facebook page, facebook group@PV Fourth of July.
Saturday’s activities are the 4-H Shotgun benefit at the Steve Meldrum property at Noon. Contact Steve at 702-232-8079.
In Caliente, the celebration theme is “Battle Born 150 Strong,” to coincide with the sesquicentennial state celebration. Every year the the volunteer firefighters collect money, usually around $1,100 to $1,300, to be used for the kids games, and is generously donated from all the Caliente businesses.
All of the celebration events will occur on the 4th, as has been tradition for years, said George Rowe, Caliente fire chief, “no matter what day the holiday falls on.” With around 20 active volunteers on the fire department, they handle the whole day’s events.
The day will kick off with the sunrise salute, followed by the fireman’s breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m.
Tickets for the Fireman’s breakfast will start being sold Wednesday evening, but will still be available at the Rose Memorial park, the morning of.
The annual parade is being organized by City Clerk Kelli Haluzak. “We appreciate her taking that on and running that for us,” said Rowe.
Information is on the City of Caliente’s Facebook page. Contact Haluzak at the City Hall, 775-726-3131 or 702-250-0861. “There are still room for entries if you haven’t signed up your parade float yet.,” she said. The parade will start at 11 a.m. Floats are asked to line up at 10 a.m., next to Thomas Petroleum. “We hope for a great parade and an overall fun and safe holiday.”
Following the parade, kids are offered games at Dixon Park, followed by the annual Watermelon Bust. The money scramble will happen by the Caliente Elementary school afterwards.
At 5 p.m., Pioche Fire Department will take on the Caliente Fire Department in the Fireman’s Grudge match game, at Dixon Park.
Fireworks will be on display at 9 p.m., by the volunteer firefighters. This year, the VFW donated their funds that they were hoping to raise for New Year’s fireworks, but didn’t meet their goal.
As a safety reminder, fireworks are illegal in Nevada, and extra caution should be used if camping with an open fire for the holiday weekend.
