Presale for Fall Fest carnival and rodeo tickets going on now

With the Pahrump Fall Festival less than two weeks away, those who are planning on attending can save money by purchasing carnival tickets ahead of the event.

The festival takes place at Petrack Park Sept. 24 through Sept. 27 and if you buy your tickets now they will cost $25, saving you $5 as the price goes up to $30 at the gate once the Fall Festival begins.

Salli Kerr, chief operating officer for the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce explained depending on family size, it can be a great deal to buy early.

"Really, if you're in a family of four you're basically almost getting a ticket for free," Kerr said.

Also, those who are buying tickets can help a child in need out and purchase a carnival ticket that will be donated to a student who can't afford to buy one themselves.

"Every year we donate some tickets to kids who would not be able to come to the carnival otherwise," Kerr said. "At any ticket outlet anyone can buy a ticket to donate and we will be working with schools and with the homeless youth program to make sure those tickets get into the hands of kids that are truly needing tickets.

"We'd love to have some participation with people."

The community usually shows well as a fair amount of donated tickets have been collected in years past.

"If we could get around 60 tickets donated, we're talking about six schools, and if each school got around 10 tickets that would be really helpful," Kerr said. "So if we can get 60 to 75 tickets it would really help."

If a child is interested in trying to obtain one of the donated tickets Kerr urges them to speak with their school secretary.

In addition to carnival tickets, the tickets for the rodeo taking place Sept. 26 and Sept. 27 are also up for presale, which go for $10. There are savings to be had for families there as well, as every adult ticket purchased includes one free children's ticket with it.

Gates for the rodeo open at 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday night, and will feature a halftime show both nights with a group of bareback riders from Idaho performing a routine that will also be in the parade Saturday morning on Highway 160.

Volunteers play a big role in helping sell the carnival and rodeo tickets, and although Kerr said there has been a solid showing of those eager to help thus far, they can always use more.

If the family budget is tight there are various free activities that will be open to all attendees at the Fall Festival to enjoy.

"There all kinds of free activities at the park," Kerr said. "We are going to have an adult talent show, a pie eating contest, a pet contest and kids' barrel racing. We also have characters coming out, like a princess, Spider-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that kids can have their pictures taken with."

There will also be free, live entertainment each day, arts and crafts area and a horseshoe contest taking place among other activities and events.

"We're calling it free family fun all weekend long," Kerr said. "Parents can bring their kids, spend a day in the park and not spend a fortune."

Kerr said that the chamber is still in search of someone to sing the Star Spangled Banner before the parade, anyone interested can contact the chamber or put their audition on YouTube and send the link to her as well.

For more information on anything pertaining to Fall Festival call the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce at 775-727-5800.

Those interested in buying presale tickets can do so by visiting one of eight sites in town:

Land Office II located at 2050 S. Highway 160;

Valley's Edge Country Store at 4779 W. Bell Vista Ave.;

Pahrump Party Supply at 331 S. Frontage Road (accepting credit cards);

Shadow Mountain Feed at 2031 W. Bell Vista Ave.;

Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1301 S. Highway 160, Second Floor (accepting credit cards);

Seemoore's Ice Cream on the Corner of Highway 372 and Blagg Road;

Threadz Clothing Company at 1231 S. Loop Road;

Valley Electric Association at 800 Highway 372.