Bottoms Up at Brew HaHa

The 19th annual Brew HaHa beer-tasting and entertainment fundraiser event is set for Friday, January 24 at 8 p.m at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks. Brew HaHa has more than 100 types of beer available for unlimited tastings and live music by electronic hip-hop group Vokab Kompany.

The event raises critical funding for the Sierra Arts Foundation in Northern Nevada. In 2013, Brew HaHa raised more than $37,000, allowing Sierra Arts Foundation to provide support for area artists and community arts programs, such as Arts in Education, the Elder Care Concert Series, and the Arts Integration Project.

General admission tickets include all-you-can-responsibly-enjoy tastings, including many seasonal and microbrew varieties that beer connoisseurs won’t be able to try anywhere else. A VIP ticket allows attendees access an hour early, along with a pre-event opportunity to speak with the brewers themselves. Both VIP and general admission tickets include a commemorative beer pint tumbler.

Brew HaHa tickets are available online at janugget.com, or by calling 800-843-2427. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $65 for VIP. Ticket prices increase by $10 if purchased at the door on the day of the event. Fifty percent of the ticket purchase price is tax-deductible.

Inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series Announced

2013 Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival. Photo: Matthew B. Brown

As part of Nevada’s sesquicentennial celebration, Nevada 150 announced the inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series. A special trophy will be awarded to the pilot who finishes with the most points from hot-air balloon races held throughout Nevada during 2014. Between January 25 and October 31, series points will be gathered and determined by a representative from each race in conjunction with The Great Reno Balloon Race Aeronauts. The seven 2014 races include:

• Mesquite Balloon Festival - Jan. 25-26, Mesquite
• The Lovers Aloft Balloon Festival - Feb. 14-16, Lovelock
• The Winnemucca Balloon Festival - Apr. 26-27, Winnemucca
• The Pahrump Invitational Balloon Rally - Mar. 7-9, Pahrump
• The Great Reno Balloon Race - Sept. 5-7, Reno
• Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival - Sept. 26-28, Spring Creek
• RE/MAX Nevada Day Balloon Launch - Oct. 31, Carson City

"We are excited to award, for the first time ever, a Nevada State Balloon Champion for our state's sesquicentennial celebration," says longtime Nevada pilot Pat Irwin. "We hope this series will add new interest and excitement in all of these great balloon races across Nevada."

At the end of the final race, the winning pilot will be awarded the Nevada State Balloon Champion trophy and will be featured in the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on October 31.

For additional information or to participate in the Nevada State Balloon Champion Series, contact Pat Irwin at 775-273-7123, 775-461-6887, or pirwin@health.nv.gov. For more information about this event and to view all the upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, visit nevada150.org.

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