Snake Valley Festival Slated for June 15-17 in Baker

Anyone from Las Vegas who hasn’t seen the Great Basin National Park is missing an amazing natural jewel in our own state… And will learn why a proposal to destroy the Great Basin to supply Las Vegas median strips and golf courses with more water is maybe not such a good idea.

You can get another perspective on this critical issue from John L. Smith’s powerful column in Monday’s Review-Journal here.

But consider a road trip. Friends and fans of Snake Valley will gather in Baker, Nevada, the weekend of June 15-17 for the Snake Valley Festival, to celebrate and raise funds to support community preservation. The public is invited to join the “fun’raising.” All proceeds from the three days of events will benefit Great Basin Water Network (www.greatbasinwater.net) to help protect the water and environment in eastern Nevada.

The Festival will overlap with the Great Basin National Park’s Astronomy Festival, June 14-16.

A wine tasting at T&D’s Restaurant and an ice cream social at the community center will kick off events on Friday night. Saturday’s activities include a giant name-your-price yard sale in the center of town, the smallest parade near the Loneliest Highway (it’s so small they go around twice), and booths and vendors flanking the main street. Of note is the book booth which features the best of big bookstore browsing in downtown Baker. Food will be available at the community center, T&D’s, and Lectrolux, with free entertainment at T&D’s in the afternoon. Other activities include a silent auction, children’s games, and a massive water fight.

Saturday night features a BBQ dinner and live auction at the Border Inn.

For runners and walkers, Sunday’s Snake Valley Slither, a 5 or 10K run or walk begins at 8 a.m.

Also scheduled are a wine tasting, yard sale, book and craft booths and live and silent auctions.

For more information and for a list of events, go to www.protectsnakevalley.org or call 775/234-7265.
Learn more about the astronomy festival at http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/great-basin-night-sky.htm.