A rush of events precede Fall Festival

There’s a lot happening this weekend preceding the Pahrump Fall Festival scheduled for next weekend. Most of the events are taking place before and after the festival to avoid competition.

Up first is the Kiwanis “Laughing Under the Stars” fundraiser at Sanders Family Winery.

Originally, the plan was for the event to stage Saturday evening, Sept. 21 only, but successful ticket sales warranted the addition of a Friday, Sept, 20 show as well.

Winery owner Jack Sanders said, “We’re just about sold out for Friday, too. People need to call and check to see if there are tickets available as soon as they can.”

On stage in the stand-up comedy performances are headliner Auggie Smith on topics of pop culture and political targets. Ken Komoto will focus on upbringing and heritage, and Ryan Budds talks about life in his 20s.

Tickets are $20 and the gates open at 6 p.m., with the show to begin around 7 p.m. Patrons are welcome to bring snacks or a picnic.

Other activities include several raffles for gift baskets and other items. The benefit supports the Kiwanis scholarship program here.

The fall Bordello Run is scheduled for Saturday with registration from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Red Rock Harley-Davidson, 2260 S. Rainbow Blvd., in Las Vegas. Riders will make stops at The Chicken Ranch, Sheri’s Ranch, Alien Cathouse and the Short Branch Saloon.

The Bordello poker run was originally held in the early summer. Last year, founders Stef Purdy and Larry Hughes added the fall version. Both are benefits for charity and where the summer event supports training and programs for amputee athletes, this event will aid Local Equine Assistance Network, a nonprofit organization helping with abandoned horses and those with medical issues being trained or retrained for adoption.

The ride fee is $30 per person and includes Hughes’ steak and chicken barbecue at the Short Branch Saloon in Crystal. The location marks the end of the ride and time for food and live music. The band is On Target.

High hand pays $400 and second high hand pays $200.

The annual Bark for Life is another fundraiser, this one is for the American Cancer Society and is set for Sept. 21 in Field A at Petrack Park.

The events include contests and pageants with prizes awarded, food, drinks, doggie and human bake sale items and vendor booths.

The registration begins at 8 a.m. and the cost is $10 per pup and will get the participant a bandana and a goodie bag. All dogs must be on a leash and owners are expected to clean up behind their pets.

There is a “Bad Doggies” team for animals who are anti-social. The catch is to leave the animal at home and collect a prize package for yourself.

Participants can register online at www.bark4lifepahrump.org or call Desiree Foshee at 513-9876.

Cole Reeves will play at the Maverick Saloon & Dance Hall on Friday and Saturday nights for the next two months. Reeves has relocated to Pahrump and plans to become a more permanent fixture in the music scene. There is no cover charge for the rockabilly performer who has family ties to father Jack Reeves and brother Matt Reeves. His show begins at 8 p.m.

There will be a spaghetti dinner and concert fundraiser from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 21 for Chris Boni, a young man hit by a car while changing a flat tire on U.S. 95 in early August.

Boni had subsequent surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain.. He remained in a coma for several days and although he is out of the coma, a long road to recovery lies before him.

The Wretched Soul Kids will perform on the outdoor patio area and tickets for the concert and dinner are $20. Other activities include raffles of donated items.

A United Blood Services blood drive is set from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 20 and from 8 a.m. to noon, Sept. 21, at the Pahrump Senior Center, 1370 W. Basin Ave.

Pahrump Rotary is still selling tickets for the annual $10,000 cash giveaway dinner and drawing set for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Oct. 19 in the amphitheater at Lakeside RV & Casino.

Tickets are $125 each and include a “western themed” buffet dinner for two, two drink tickets and one entry into the drawing. Tickets can be purchased at Mankins Allstate, Allstate Insurance in the Albertson’s shopping center and Car Studio at the Nugget.

Entertainment will be provided by State of the Art.

There will be a Pioneer Day Saturday at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Red Rock Canyon. Activities include live music, demonstrations of pioneer crafts such as spinning, weaving, panning for gold, the use of black powder rifles and dipping candles.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and free S’mores and hot chocolate will be available while supplies last.