Snake Valley Festival

Last weekend we had a very busy weekend at the Snake Valley Festival, held the third weekend of June in Baker, Nevada. It was three busy days of events. Here were some of the highlights.

The Snake Valley Slither 5k/10k trail run and walk has begun! But a couple slitherers in the middle of the starting line are getting a slow start--you might recognize one of them!

Post-race Orange Julius--yum!

Desert Boy approaching the finish line with family and friends.

Desert Girl running the little kids' race.

Playing on the water feature, that was brought in to celebrate the birthdays of two special boys.

The parachute--a special treat for the kids to play.

The water fight lasted all day for some of the kids.

Desert Boy doing a magic trick for the pageant and talent show. It earned him the title of Mr. Junior Snake Valley!

Desert Girl enjoying some ice cream at Friday night's ice cream social.

Kids' music workshop with Trotta and Ronstadt with Dalton.

Horses in the parade.

Loved this sign!

Aw, sweet music! The Ely Cheatgrass Brass Band played in both the parade and later in the afternoon during the free entertainment section.

The kids joined the kid float in the parade.

The Snake Valley Festival was great fun and will be held next year on the third weekend in June. Come join us!

Only Two Weeks Until Snake Valley Festival

It's less than two weeks until the Snake Valley Festival starts, and we're excited! We are ready to go to music workshops, concerts, the ice cream social, beer tasting (well, the kids will skip that part!), and the pageant and dance.

Last year Desert Boy won a crown for Mini Mr. Snake Valley. He was really happy. He's been practicing various talents for this year. No singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument is allowed, so he has to be creative.

Desert Girl also participated and was happy to be with her friends.

The kids were also glad to be in the parade the next day, where they rode their bikes. After the first lap they stopped so they could watch the parade go around again. (That's how you make a longer parade in a small town!)

The silent auction was a favorite place for negotiations. We found some really cool things there and also at the community yard sale.

We also enjoyed the free entertainment and kids' games out on Baker Hall lawn. This year there will be a bounce house. Fun!

Just when the afternoon was starting to feel really hot, it was time for the water fight. Anyone who ventured out on the playing field got soaked!

After cleaning up, we headed out to the Border Inn for a tasty BBQ dinner followed by the live auction.

We didn't stay up late, as the next morning it was time for Desert Boy's first 5k race: the Snake Valley Slither. He's planning to do it again this year, along with several of his friends.

This year there will be an afternoon concert at the Border Inn by Trotta & Ronstadt with Dalton, a great sounding folksy-blues style of music. They'll also be playing in Ely on Friday night at 7 pm.

For the full schedule, check out the Snake Valley Festival website. Looks like it will be another fun weekend!

Snake Valley Festival

We're gearing up to attend the Snake Valley Festival this weekend. If you're in the area, you really should come, this festival exemplifies small town life. Plus, the proceeds go to a good cause, to help prevent the scarce groundwater from being sucked down to southern Nevada to water golf courses.

I dug out some photos from years past--they really show how much the kids have changed! The ice cream social kicks off the festival. What a great way to start the weekend on Friday evening! This year there will be some special musical talent, which I'm really looking forward to.

Then we'll change our venue, visit the wine tasting and get ready for the first ever Mr./Ms. Snake Valley Pageant. This pageant has several age categories and judges contestants on attire (formal and/or outdoor) and a one-minute talent that is not singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. I can't wait to see what everyone will do. The kids and I are going to participate and have been practicing our talents. We'll also be ready to dance to music by a live band.

On Saturday morning our plan is to check out the yard sale and then head to the community breakfast. It is delicious! Then we should have time to look at some of the booths. We might not have time to see them all, because the kids want to be in the parade, so we'll go line up.

 These same bikes will be in the parade, but with different riders! We've fastened a container on the front so Desert Girl can throw--or catch--candy.


The parade is always awesome, with some unexpected entries.

 Then it's time to check out the rest of the booths and the silent auction and for the kids to play games. Or just look super cute, like Desert Girl above. This year there will also be a solar telescope to check out.

After yummy lunch, it's time for entertainment. This year I've pulled out my trumpet and will play a couple songs.

 I don't think I will look as dreamy as Dan!

After the silent auction closes, it's time for the huge water fight in the playground.

Then we have a brief respite before heading out for the delicious BBQ dinner, auction, and announcement of the road art contest winners.

 Jace--wish you could be with us this year!

 Yum!

We usually go to bed exhausted Saturday after the auction, but for those with energy, there's the Great Basin National Park astronomy program.

Sunday morning we wake up early for the 5k/10k Snake Valley Slither trail run/walk. Last year I managed the 10k, but this year it will just be the 5k for me. Afterwards is a bake sale so you can take home some memories of the great weekend.

The Snake Valley Festival is held the third weekend of June in Baker, Nevada, so if you can't make it this year, mark your calendars for next year.

More Snake Valley Festival Photos

I was going to separate out the different events of the Snake Valley Festival, but that might take me forever to get posted, and I already have other things I need to catch up on posting. Instead, you can see some photos at the Festival website. But I can't just leave it at that. Here are some (okay, A LOT of ) different ones that are also a lot of fun. If you missed the festival this year, be sure to save the third weekend in June for 2013 and come out and have some fun!

 A yard sale!! That's reason enough for big excitement out here. This one is name-your-own-price.

 Jenna was sent out to round up some more business.

 We took a few plants home with us. And a few books.

 The kids got new water bottles and then we filled them with delicious lavender lemonade. The water bottles are only $3 from the Western National Parks Association bookstores.

 The parade entries were diverse and creative.

 Lots had a water theme, as the proceeds from the festival support the Great Basin Water Network.

 This Waterloo Boy was so cool! They brought it down from Gandy to show, and I'm so glad they did!

 We had a special appearance in the parade.

 The Garrison Fire Department showered the willing crowd.

 Brandon did a good job walking.

 The NCC Crew had a lot of energy, even after working on trails all week!

 As I was walking down the street I finally found the kids.

 They were hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

 Watch out King Kong, looks like you might get squeezed!

 I guess King Kong survived, because now it looks like he's going to get the trumpet player. Watch out!

 No Snake Valley parade is complete unless it has some farm equipment.

 I found the kids trying to talk Grandpa out of some money at the Carnival booths.

 Looks like they succeeded!

 Here's Desert Boy climbing up past T. Rex to King Kong.

 Then it was on to some painting. Kids love to paint!

 Somehow they managed to stay clean. I'm really not sure how.

These are some of the beautiful gourds they painted.

 
 They also played some games.

 Carol chatting with Mike Prince, a cowboy poet who provided some entertainment during the Festival.

 Hmmm...

 Lots of people browsed the silent auction.

 Then it was time for the water fight.

 Ava was drenched. So was everyone. Anyone who ventured onto the playing field got soaked.
It felt good.

 Desert Girl's first experience with cotton candy. She couldn't finish it all.

 More King Kong slide!

 Then it was time for a delicious dinner at the Border Inn.

 Isaac and Desert Girl hung out.

 Isaac really wanted Desert Girl's sucker and she wasn't willing to share. I love their expressions!

 The auction came next, and you-know-who was in attendance.

 There were some humorous moments during the auction.

 Then it was back to the Carnival. I don't think I can express adequately how much fun it was.

 Isaac was tuckered out.

 The ladder was a huge hit, and everyone in our family did it. Here's my husband.

 Desert Boy made it to the top.

 Desert Girl did quite well and wanted to make sure everyone was watching.

 Jenny.

 My husband and Desert Boy on the Scrambler. I rode it once and decided it had scrambled me sufficiently.

 Desert Girl went back to the ladder and ended up with some really static-y hair.

 The next morning we dragged ourselves out of bed to go run a race. At least I was planning to run, with my husband and the kids as cheerleaders.

 Helpers. Thank you!

 Beautiful sisters.

 Brandi and Ben. Brandi ran a really awesome race!

 And we're off!

 I quickly took my place at the back of the pack.

 Getting some water before I do the second loop to complete the 10k. I wasn't real fast, but I did it!

What a fun weekend! And if you made it all the way through this post, congratulations. Now take a well-earned break!