The Pahrump Disability Outreach Program is hoping to start a new holiday tradition this year with its first ever Holly Days event set to take place this weekend at Ian Deutch Memorial Park.
Like Pumpkin Days in the fall, Holly Days will offer a number of winter-themed activities for the whole family. From sleigh rides and winter performances, to holiday movies and wintry foods enjoyed among twinkling holiday lights, PDOP says it hopes to give local families a place to go for a fun weekend activity without having to drive all the way to Las Vegas.
The group is also bringing something else to the event that isn’t often seen here in Pahrump — snow.
PDOP has had a snow machine running in the park every night since Tuesday to make a large, fluffy snow pile for children to play in this weekend.
And to continue the snowy feel of the event, PDOP has also organized to have an ice skating rink brought to the park as well.
PDOP President David Boruchowitz said the idea to start a winter fundraiser for the organization began much the same way the fall Pumpkin Days event began — with a passion to bring fun, family-friendly activities that are readily available in Las Vegas to the residents of Pahrump.
“Really it’s the same way that Pumpkin Days came about. We were like look at all of these things we can drive to Las Vegas and go do, why can’t we make something here for us to do? So we decided that we would. And the ice skating is something that Pahrump doesn’t have and we’re hoping it’s something that will be a big hit. We’re hoping to be able to do this every year,” he said.
PDOP also organized for Christmas trees to be brought into the park as well for families to purchase during Holly Days.
In addition to the activities like the ice skating, sleigh rides and the snow play area that will be available to families throughout the event, PDOP has also scheduled several live performances to take place Friday night and plans to show holiday movies Friday and Saturday night as well.
Friday night Donna’s Studio of Dance will be performing excerpts from The Nutcracker from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then at 7:30 p.m. there will be a screening of The Polar Express.
Saturday morning there will be a Reindeer Dash 5K beginning at 9 a.m. and then later that evening a showing of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 8 p.m.
And to cater to teenagers, PDOP has announced it will also be hosting a teen dance Friday night from 9 p.m. to midnight at the park as well.
Boruchowitz said they took a survey during Pumpkin Days of things people may like to see at Holly Days and the teen dance was one item they had multiple requests for.
The dance will be chaperoned and teens wishing to attend must bring their ID to get in.
Those wishing to make a DJ request before the dance begins can do so by visiting pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com/musicrequest.
Admission to Holly Days is $10 per person for the day or $20 for the weekend. The event will be open Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ice skate rentals are included in the price of admission and all proceeds from the event and the Reindeer Dash 5K will go to support PDOP in its mission to provide support to children with disabilities and their families in the local community.
For more information about Holly Days or PDOP visit pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com or call 775-516-0847.