Nevada Day happenings

Jenny Hipp, who dressed as a mermaid on Carson High School's senior class float in the 1988 Nevada Day Parade, returned home for the holiday this year. This time, she dressed as a bride.

Hipp, the daughter of Maureen and Tommy Hughes of Carson City, came home from Atlanta to marry Jason Gunderman under the apple tree of her parents' home.

They kicked off their honeymoon at the Nevada Day Parade.

Her husband, from Minnesota, is an Army Airborne Ranger and is headed off to Iraq in mid-November.

The Nevada Day Committee presented Mary Pierczynski, superintendent of the Carson City School District, with a $3,000 check. The money was in appreciation for the bleachers, which the school allows to be used for viewing the rock-drilling competition each year.

In keeping with their Nevada Day tradition, the Grasso clan was scrambling eggs and frying sausages for breakfast burritos on a Coleman camp stove while watching the parade Saturday.

"You gotta have a Coleman, it's the only way to go," said Anthony Grasso, who has been watching the parade with his family and cousins since he was little.

"We used to come down here when we were kids," said cousin Chris Grasso. "Now we're starting to have kids and bringing them to the parade as well."

Anthony's mother, Sue Grasso, said they may expand the tradition in coming years.

"We're thinking about dressing in period costumes next year," she said.

But Anthony's wife, Tabitha, corrected: "Well, she's thinking that."

Tricia Pimental came to Carson City to ride on the Playboy Bunny float in last year's Nevada Day Parade.

During the brief visit, she and her husband, Keith, fell in love with the area. So they left their Utah home and bought Brims Cafe in Fernley.

Although Keith was out of town Saturday, Tricia returned to the parade, snapping photos with a disposable camera.

"I love this," she said. "The spirit is so open."

All the while, she carried in her arms her white Maltese dog, whose name is Carson.