The Fireworks Express Steam Train Launches in Ely

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely is starting off the new year with a bang during The Fireworks Express Steam Train event on January 18. As the only steam-powered locomotive in the world to shoot fireworks, The Fireworks Express Steam Train promises an impressive pyrotechnics display launched from a moving train. The ride has been recognized by the Nevada 150 Commission as an official event in the state's ongoing sesquicentennial celebration.

The train is set to leave the East Ely Depot at 4:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled to be shot off at 6:15 p.m. from one of two open-air flat cars. The second flat car is available for front-row viewing of the fireworks. Passengers can move freely between the open-air flat car and the enclosed, heated passenger cars.

The Fireworks Express is held in conjunction with the annual Fire & Ice Celebration at Cave Lake State Park near Ely from January 17-19. This award-winning event features a variety of carved ice sculptures and activities, including ice bowling and food and drink concessions. Call 775-289-3720 or visit elynevada.net for more details.

PLAN YOUR TRIP
The Fireworks Express Steam Train
Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Ely
Jan. 18
nnry.com, 775-289-2085

Five Former First Ladies of Nevada Gather for Signature Nevada 150 Event

A Nevada 150 signature event of the 2014 sesquicentennial year, “First Ladies First: An Afternoon with Five Former First Ladies of Nevada,” will take place Saturday, January 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. With introductions by current First Lady Kathleen Sandoval, five former First Ladies of Nevada will gather to have a conversation with the public sharing their special projects, challenges, and lives while residing in the Governor’s Mansion. Guests can enjoy their stories, ask questions, and learn more about what Nevada’s First Ladies have done.

The historic event, sponsored by Women of Diversity Productions, will feature former First Ladies Kathryn Sue List (1979-83), Bonnie Bryan (1983-89), Sandy Miller (1989-99), Dema Lee Guinn (1999-2006), and Dawn Gibbons (2006-10).

“We are so excited to kick-off the new year with this momentous signature event,” says Kara J. Kelley, executive director of Nevada 150. “This event will provide great insight into what it was like residing in the spotlight of the Governor’s Mansion, as well as the importance of women’s roles in Nevada’s history.”

Emceed by Paula Francis, news anchor at KLAS-TV Channel 8, tickets to the event are complimentary and can be reserved by visiting eventbrite.com. For details regarding the event, call Dr. Marlene Adrian at 702-655-2146. Registration is required for the event and closes January 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Hear a radio interview with Adrian on the Nevada Magazine Radio Show here.

This is the premier event of the Nevada Women’s Legacy - 150 Years of Excellence, a Nevada Sesquicentennial project sponsored by Women of Diversity Productions, a statewide non-profit organization that promotes awareness of and documents women’s contributions to the State of Nevada. For more details on this project and other events, visit nevadawomensvirtualcenter.org.

To view all the upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, visit nevada150.org.  

Landsailing World Championship set for July 2014 in Nevada

Photo credit: Mark Harris

The North American Landsailing Association (NALSA) will host the FISLY-NALSA 14th Landsailing World Championship at Smith Creek Playa (dry lake) near Austin in Northern Nevada July 12-19, 2014. The regatta is expected to draw entrants from at least four continents and 10 to 15 countries. They will be competing in fleet races sailed in at least eight classes. The sailing vehicles are called landsailers in America and land yachts internationally.

NALSA has hosted two previous World Championships (1990 and 2002) in Southern Nevada during the spring months. International entrants requested that the 2014 regatta be held in the summer, so they could bring their children. Smith Creek Playa was selected because its 6,000-foot elevation offers some respite from the high temperatures of the southern deserts. Nearby Austin provides modern amenities with a historic Old West flavor.

NALSA President Dennis Bassano stated, "We are pleased that the regatta has been named a Nevada 150 official event. This is a year-long celebration of Nevada’s 150 years as a state and offers regatta contestants and visitors a great opportunity to explore Nevada’s rich Old West history, including nearby Pony Express stations, working ranches, mines and many other historic sites."

NALSA is the U.S. affiliate of FISLY, the International Federation of Sand and Land Yachting. Read more about landsailing in Nevada in this story from our January/February 2013 issue. Watch a video below.



Video credit: John Eisenlohr & Duncan Harrison