Outdoors Nevada Day plans to expose the public to state’s bucolic nature

In celebration of Nevada Day and Craig Ranch Regional Park’s one-year anniversary, recreation fanatics will have an opportunity to gather and explore the vast outdoors of the Mojave Desert.

Get Outdoors Nevada Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road.

“Our goal is to help open the eyes of people to the wonderful opportunities they have right in their backyard,” said Eric Larsen, Get Outdoors Nevada program director. “All of our exhibitors will bring a level of interaction.”

The inaugural event, hosted by the Outside Las Vegas Foundation and North Las Vegas, is set to feature a plethora of outdoors recreation opportunities, including community groups, nonprofit organizations and local, state and federal agencies.

In addition, retailers, outfitters and outdoor event promoters plan to showcase Southern Nevada’s bucolic surroundings.

At 10 a.m., North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee and Outside Las Vegas Foundation executive director Mauricia Baca are set to recognize people who have supported parks and trails as part of the Adopt-A-Trail program. Afterward, Thalia Dondero, the first woman elected to the Clark County Commission in 1974, is scheduled to speak.

The event is set to feature interactive exhibits, including a rock climbing wall, walking, running and biking trails, a K9 area, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields and lounging areas.

The Southern Nevada Mountain Bike Association plans to demonstrate hybrids, entry-level and kids bikes to the community. A small bike course is planned so that people can feel which bike is right for them.

“Cycling is one of the biggest ways to improve your health with the least amount of stress on the joints,” said Erik Montville, vice president of the association. “When you slow down to a cycling pace, it gives you the ability to look around at the beautiful area we live in.”

Vegas Veg, a nonprofit that promotes and provides social support to maintain a plant-based lifestyle, is set to be at the event distributing information about veganism and a bracelet-making activity for children.

“There are so many great outdoor activities that are available to us,” said Elaine Vigneault, president of the organization. “Outdoor activities promote a healthier lifestyle, but it’s also important to be aware of what you eat.”

Exhibitors are set to include REI, the National Parks Conservation Association, Desert Sky Adventures, Clark County Wetlands Park and Desert Adventures.

Food trucks and a disc jockey are also set to be on site.

According to its website, Get Outdoors Nevada began as a project of The Southern Nevada Agency Partnership, an inter-agency organization consisting of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service.

The organization works to develop collaborative programs and projects that enhance services to the public, improve the stewardship of federal lands and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their management activities.

Parking and admission to the event are free.

“We’re committed to getting people outside and connected to the outdoors,” Larsen said. “This will be a one-stop shop for getting outside.”

For more information, visit getoutdoorsnevada.org.

Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.