The pits at McDougal Sports Complex will see plenty of action this Frontier Day's weekend.
Lovelock Frontier Days is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of the activity will take place in the courthouse park. But some fairgoers will wander off the beaten path to play horseshoes at McDougal Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday morning.
If you go, you'll be playing on the only pits in northern Nevada sanctioned by the National Horseshoe Pitching Association (NHPA). The five pits with concrete runways and dune sand meet NHPA specifications.
On Saturday, you can sign up for doubles beginning at 11 a.m. It costs $20 per team. Sunday at 10 a.m. you can sign up for singles at $20 per person.
Longtime competitors and teammates Bruce Medeiros and Dave Skoglie are coordinating the horseshoe tournament. They both know the game inside and out.
"Prizes will be buy-in plus donation money for first through fourth place," says Skoglie. "We will have shade and restroom facilities. People will bring their own refreshments. Concrete runways and dune sand will be great. When it's wet, it works well."
Skoglie, Jason Coyle, Dennis and Lee Houston and Dave Johnson been instrumental in the construction and maintenance of the horseshoe pits.
"And I can't forget the City of Lovelock's Recreation Board which has supported this effort. We are looking forward to the upcoming Frontier Days and horseshoe tournament," says Skoglie.
Highlights of
Frontier Days
Also off the beaten path, the Speedway will race at 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Vendors and farmers will be selling their wares in the courthouse park on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday they'll be there from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The dog show is on Friday from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. There will be prizes for the most original costume, best trick and other categories.
After the dog show, Greg Austin of Southern Justice will provide free entertainment until 10 p.m. There will also be live music for free on Saturday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Frontier Days hired the Nevada Gunfighters from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. They are a nonprofit theatrical group who perform for fairs, weddings and other gatherings.
"We bring history to life. Come and experience circa 1860s to 1890s, as we bring you stories, some true, some are just lies," says their website. They say they emphasize gun safety for children.
Peggy Rose's Memorial Cribbage Tournament is on Friday from 5 until 6 pm, Saturday from 11 until noon and Sunday from 10 until noon. However, at press time they still need a sponsor and volunteer coordinator.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday heading from the community center to the courthouse park. Show up between 8 a.m. and 9:30 to register to be in the parade.
There will be games for young children starting at 10 a.m. on Friday and Sunday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Families can enjoy a 9-hole mini golf course, corn hole and croquet until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They pack up at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
On Saturday, Stepping Stones Academy sponsors preschool fun from 11 a.m. until noon.
The 4-H horseless rodeo runs from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Coordinator Colby Burke says to expect stick horse barrels, goat undecorating and dummy roping. At noon, kids can take time out and head to the pool for a quarter dive. The Nevada Gunfighters are back for their encore at noon.
There will be a blood drive in the courthouse parking lot from noon until 3:30 on Saturday.
Register for the talent show on Friday. Then come back on Saturday at 1 p.m. to entertain the town for prizes.
Cowboy Church is on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. The tractor pull and weight carry are on Elmhurst Avenue from 10 a.m. until noon. The winners walk off with cash. The LVFD has children race their bicycles down the road for prizes afterwards.
Don't miss the DARE French toast breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m until 10 a.m.
The Pershing County High School Athletics BBQ is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Raffles and awards are at 1 p.m. on Sunday. A lucky person will win Jeff Kearn's handcarved buckboard bench.
Frontier Days ends on Sunday with a free family swim in the community pool from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Barrels will be available throughout the park all weekend in memory of youth advocate
Marianne Papa.They are for donations on non-perishable items for the food bank.