Spring Mountain’s Old-Time Ranch Christmas a nod toward holiday nostalgia

Families are invited to step back in time for an Old-Time Ranch Christmas scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

Park interpreter David Low said visitors can expect plenty of festivities for the event's second year.

Setting the scene will be a roaring fire in the park's visitor's center, a historic ranch house once owned by Howard Hughes, and holiday lights throughout the property.

While the wood-fueled fire in the fireplace will be historically accurate, Low said the Christmas lights won't be.

"No way; we're going ultra-modern with solar-powered LEDs," he said.

Outside, guests can go on nature walks, roast marshmallows for s'mores, make pinecone crafts and go on hayrides.

Santa is set to be on hand until 4 p.m., and a Nevada State naturalist is slated to make a presentation.

During a Halloween event, the ranch offered bowling with pumpkins as balls. Low said kids and parents loved the interactive and messy activity so much his team had to dream up something equally fun for the Christmas event. So far, the plan is to roll up socks and set kids loose for a massive "snowball" fight.

"I promise they'll be clean," he added.

Less messy, more grown-up fun is in the works, too. Low said the ranch's 1960s cabin will serve as the setting for a park interpreter to demonstrate the steps to preparing a classic pioneer dinner.

If Facebook RSVPs are any indication, Low said there could be a crowd. Last year's event brought in about 200. This year, at last count, he said there were almost 2,000 interested in coming.

"On average, we have at least 50 percent of those who signed up show up," he said. And there are rare events where 100 percent show.

Low recommends guests dress warm. At 3,800 feet, temperatures at the ranch are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in the Las Vegas Valley, and winds out of Sandstone Canyon are not uncommon.

"It's probably important to point out that most of the activities are outdoors," Low said.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is on state Route 159 about 10 miles west of the 215 Beltway. Participation is free with park admission, which is $7 for Nevada residents or $65 for an annual pass. Visit parks.nv.gov.

— Contact View contributing reporter Ginger Meurer at gmeurer@viewnews.com. Find her on Twitter: @gingermmm.