Silent Riders help with the dead
Red-Run
Halloween is more than just a one-day celebration in Virginia City; it's an entire month. In fact, the city is getting ready to kick off its first of many events for "Hauntober" starting on Saturday. This event is called the Red Run.
Todd Tuttle, director of tourism for Virginia City, says, "We're bringing it back after seven years, and surprisingly it's the seventh anniversary too, so it's Red Run 7: The Resurrection and here they'll be all over Virginia city as they go from place to place and they discover the background, the history, they solve the clues, the puzzles, the mysteries that are going on."
Of course, participants will be chased by zombies the entire time, too. Tuttle says they're expecting up to 3,000 people to come up and either run or observe on Saturday.
If running isn't your thing, there's still plenty of other opportunities to enjoy during Hauntober.
Virginia City is known for its haunted attractions, including the Mackay Mansion. It will be turned into a haunted house. Yes, more haunted than it already is. That will happen on the last weekend of October and on Halloween night.
Dawn Dessaussois, caretaker of the mansion, says, "This is one of our biggest events of the year, and for us, the proceeds for the mansion it helps the restoration of the building. Because we're the only mansion that's still open to the public."-Ch 2 News
Hangman at at the ready
Hangman was at the ready firing off the shotgun to get the races started
Silent Riders on hand
Silent Riders were at the ready shooting (Blanks) at zombies and other assorted harrowing creatures
The race ran in and around Virginia City
Of course some were dressed in their craziest costumes
The Race was a 3 & 6 Mile run around town while going through a harrowing course
Rayma Ware was on hand with the Silent Riders to watch the spooktacular and funny race
Silent Riders help host A gathering
Morning Rendezvous
The Silent Riders helped host a visit from the Cordillera International Film Festival in Virginia City. The Cordillera Int'l Film Festival, located in the beautiful Reno Tahoe region of Nevada, has quickly become one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” according to MovieMaker Magazine for two years in a row, and is ranked in the Top 1% of over 12,000 film festivals worldwide by FilmFreeway. Cordillera featured a 5-Days filled with 150+ films, celebrity panels, red carpet premieres, parties and a Grand Jury made up of iconic industry leaders.
Playing the Part
Nightingale & son were on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly
Posing for the Filmmakers
Banker & wife also lent a hand to help set the mood for their arrival
Tall Tales
Fresh Air Visit
Fresh Air Visit
Jack Davis spun tall tales for the visitors as they visited the train depot
Fresh Air Visit
Fresh Air Visit
Fresh Air Visit
The air was crisp and fresh for the early morning visit
Mrs. O'hara
A Quick Refresh
A Quick Refresh
Mrs. Ohara was also on hand to lend atmosphere and speak with the visitors
A Quick Refresh
A Quick Refresh
A Quick Refresh
The filmmakers were brought by bus from Reno, stopped at the train depot in Virginia City for a quick visit, breakfast and refreshments, then on to the train to Carson City for their visit there. It was a good day all in all.
Labor Day Parade Preperations
Reverend speaks to the Silent Riders
Prior to the parade, The Reverend speaks to the Silent Riders about gun safety, upcoming events, a pinning that was scheduled that day, and various other items
Speaking to the crowd
Silent Riders listen intently to the Reverend
Family and friends
The Silent Riders consist of many friends and families
A fine gathering for Labor Day
listening to the news of the day
Libations in hand
Silent Riders listen intently to the Reverend
Leaving the Saloon
Leaving the Saloon
Libation in hand
All Smiles
Don't take these women for granted!
Don't take these women for granted!
The Silent Riders are warm and fuzzy!
Don't take these women for granted!
Don't take these women for granted!
Don't take these women for granted!
Many of our Silent Riders are women, strong and assertive
many newer members showed up
Don't take these women for granted!
many newer members showed up
Its always a great time when the Silent Riders convene together
A fine line-up
Some of the Breakfast Club
Pinkertons in the house
Listening to the Reverend, The Silent Riders prepped for the Labor Day Parade
Pinkertons in the house
Some of the Breakfast Club
Pinkertons in the house
Standing Watch at the Saloon
Some of the Breakfast Club
Some of the Breakfast Club
Some of the Breakfast Club
Making faces and supping libations
"Bring me back-up"
The Silent Riders descended on Joe Stels Jewelry store to visit and add a bit of muscle
A Nice Visit
The Silent Riders visited with the owner of Kashmir Boutique
Keeping Watch
Cheyenne & Hangman out and about
photos by Melody Hoover
A wee tipple
The Silent Riders enjoying a refreshment at the jewelry store
Silent Riders Out & About town!
Commercial Advertisments
Reverend & Nightingale...
...among many other Silent Riders, were in a commercial advertisement for "Visit Virginia City"
Riders In the house
Silent Riders, were in a commercial advertisement for "Visit Virginia City"
Spontaneous Spot
One fall morning, Banker, Bankers Wife, Jack Davis, Pronto Pike & his wife were privy to a filming by Lone Planet for Travel Nevada. It was a hoot. The film can be watched below
The Virginia City Silent Riders (photo Austin Mitchell)
Group Shot as the some of the Silent Riders assemble in the street just before a Parade.
Fun Facts
Hustle & Bustle
As you walk the streets of Virginia City Nevada today, it's a nice calm stroll, meandering throughout the town, looking in all of the shops and meeting some of the 700 + residence that live here.
But did you know that back in 1875, there were 25,000 full time residence crowding the streets, trying to get a seat at a restaurant or saloon? it was crashing combination of dirty clothed miners and the elite who were moving in from San Francisco because this was " the next big town, where one could make their fortune" .
Shoulder to shoulder, it was a crowded, loud and bustling town that sure seemed like the next big thing! As the silver and gold dwindled, well... so did the population. Now its few residence enjoy a quiet, calm and refreshing town, where you can be alone in the wilderness or meet up with friends in town at the drop of a hat!