Committee to start planning state’s 150th birthday events
The planning committee for Nevada's upcoming 150th birthday meets today at the Nevada State Musuem, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced this week.
The Silver State turns 150 in 2014.
A seven-person committee will gather today at the Nevada State Museum at the Springs Preserve, 309 S. Valley View Blvd., to start planning the sesquicentennial celebration.
"Seven Nevadans will work with staff over the next several months to raise funds and plan a yearlong series of events and commemorations kicking off on Nevada Day in 2013 and concluding on the 150th anniversary of Nevada's admission to the Union on October 31, 2014," Sandoval said in a statement.
The planning committee will celebrate Nevada through special events and exhibits that highlight the native populations and pioneers from various cultures and backgrounds who settled in Nevada and developed the state.
Members of the committee include consultant Neena Laxalt and Bob Brown, publisher of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Laxalt and Brown will serve as committee co-chairs.
Other committee members include state Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, Ted Olivas with the city of Las Vegas, Bud Hicks of the law firm McDonald Carano Wilson, Andy Kirk with the Department of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Lori Nelson of Station Casinos Inc.
Peter Barton, administrator of the Division of Museums and History of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, will coordinate the state's planning efforts.
The first meeting will tackle general planning.
Other discussions the committee will explore involve school tours, fundraising and planning sesquicentennial events both in and out of state.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
