Extraterrestrials take their place during Nevada Day celebrations

RENO -- For the first time, aliens and other otherworldly beings joined the annual Nevada Day Parade on Saturday.

This year's theme of the unique state holiday, "The Mysteries of Nevada -- Area 51," drew everything from participants wearing alien costumes to dancing green men atop a high school float.

Carson City Sheriff's Lt. Ken Sandage estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people lined the capital city's main drag for the parade celebrating Nevada's 143rd year of statehood.

"The high turnout could have been because of the weather and theme," Sandage said. "It's the kind of theme most Nevadans can associate with."

The theme recognizes a formerly secret Air Force base in Southern Nevada believed to be involved in the testing of military aircraft. A road near it was dubbed the Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996 for the many UFO sightings along it.

George Knapp, a KLAS-TV, Channel 8, investigative reporter in Las Vegas who has extensively covered Area 51, was parade grand marshal.

While no presidential candidate attended the event, campaign volunteers worked the crowd on their behalf. Nevada is drawing attention from presidential candidates because of the state's early Jan. 19 presidential caucuses.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., issued a statement commemorating Nevada Day.

"Nevada Day is not only about celebrating the Silver State's rich past, but also looking ahead to the future," the senator said. "We need to restore the voice of the people in government and put an end to the power of special interests and lobbyists."

When presidential campaigns began inquiring about taking part in the parade, organizers discovered their rules only allow Nevada elected officials to participate.

"That caught us completely by surprise," Reg Creasey, president of Nevada Day Inc., told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Creasey is pressing for a change so presidential candidates can take part in the future.

Nevada was admitted as the nation's 36th state during the Civil War on Oct. 31, 1864, and has recognized the date as a state holiday since 1938.

Only two other states, Hawaii and West Virginia, hold similar celebrations.

Gov. Jim Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, were escorted in a single-horse buggy in the parade. Afterward, they opened the Governor's Mansion to public tours.

"This annual celebration of Nevada's heritage provides an opportunity for each of us to look back on the past 143 years," the governor said. "As we do so, we are reminded of the can-do pioneer spirit that led to the founding of our great state."

Among many other Nevada Day activities were a Virginia City beard contest, a Washoe Tribe Pow Wow and a boxing tournament.