BC Home Church is located at 1100 Adams Boulevard, near Buchanan Boulevard. Visitors are always welcome, especially next Sunday!

They will also have special projects, like:

• Plantable seed paper
• Hummingbird feeder kits
• Cup of Boulder City Joe plant super food
• Propagation kits for hollyhocks, rosemary, honeysuckle, Mexican petunia and more!

The theme for October is Butterflies and Pollinators so there will be Mojave Desert native plants, cactus, vegetables, herbs, and pollinator-supporting plants for sale! One gallon and four-inch milkweeds will be available as well as Penstemon. Now’s the time to plant for our local and migrating pollinators, plus get your cool weather garden going.

Make your plans to visit tomorrow!

The Rise of AI in Classrooms
By: Lillyana Gubler

The classroom is no longer limited to textbooks, teachers, and pencils. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken a seat at the desk. The big question is whether AI hurts or helps classrooms and students. According to College Board, 84% of U.S. high school students reported using generative AI for schoolwork by the end of the 2024–25 school year. That's a little more than four out of every five students.

AI has its pros and cons, but do the cons outweigh the pros? Teachers across the country have reported that students have turned in work AI has done for them instead of using it as a tool to help them. With students turning in work that is AI, there are bigger consequences besides risking a zero. Students lose creativity, writing skills, and the ability to problem solve which stretches far beyond a single grade. There are also increased reports of students gaining a dependence on AI which has encouraged them to cheat and not think for themselves. While AI is still a struggling concept, you are risking more than just a grade in your classes, you are risking your creativity, independence, and problem solving skills.

When used appropriately, AI can be a great resource for research projects, creating practice questions, and giving explanations to students who are confused. AI is efficient if you are trying to find facts or statistics about a certain topic. According to College Board, 58% of teachers say AI can help students understand complex concepts through personalized explanations. The more you use AI, it adjusts to your personality and interests with the more information you give it. According to Brookings Journalism, research on AI-powered tutoring has found learning gains, increased engagement and motivation, and improved efficiency when the technology is designed around sound teaching practices. AI has helped students across the country improve their grades, and engagement through the tutoring AI can offer students who are struggling.

Artificial intelligence is not going away, so the goal should not be to keep it out of the classroom, but to teach students how to use it responsibly. AI can make learning more accessible, explain difficult concepts, and give students extra support when they need it. However, when students allow AI to do the work for them, they risk losing important skills like creativity, independence, writing, and problem solving. Ultimately, AI is only as helpful as the person using it. When used as a tool rather than a shortcut, AI can help students learn more without taking away what makes learning meaningful.

The Travel Nevada Adventure Center promises to be a one-stop shop for booking different types of adventure tourism experiences like river tours, e-bike adventures, cruises on Lake Mead, scenic air trips, and more! The new center is currently home to these seven businesses offering exciting experiences while also ensuring safety, conservation, and trip-planning information for visitors.

• Canyon Riders
• Desert Adventures
• Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures
• HPP Armory
• Lake Mead Cruises
• Loop Trail Rentals
• Papillon Helicopters

Outdoor recreation continues to play a major role in Nevada’s visitor economy, generating nearly $1.7 billion in visitor spending in 2025. Outdoor recreation is the second most popular industry in the state of Nevada, surpassing mining for the next largest contribution to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The Travel Nevada Adventure Center in Boulder City is the first of its kind to open in the state. Another is slated for the Carson City area. Boulder City was chosen as one of the sites for its proximity to the outdoor adventure visitors – and residents – enjoy. Boulder City’s location, close to Lake Mead and other outdoor attractions, made it a natural fit for the adventure center concept.

“The Travel Nevada Adventure Centers represent an important investment in Boulder City’s future as a gateway to Lake Mead and southern Nevada’s outdoor assets,” said Jill Rowland-Lagan, CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. “By welcoming visitors, supporting local businesses, and highlighting our unique regional character, this project strengthens both our economy and our community.”

This great facility will bring new visitors to our city to enjoy our many restaurants, shops, and other businesses and make Boulder City a memorable stop on a Southern Nevada vacation. You can check out some of the tours available and book your trip by clicking HERE.

POSITION TITLE: Prep Cook/Dishwasher

TYPE OF POSITION: Full Time

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: Permanent / Year-Round

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Learning recipes and prepping as well as washing dishes.

PREFERRED CONTACT METHOD: Apply within (806 Boulder City NV 89005) ask for Henry.

Pictured below are the planned speakers for the Boulder Business Development group for October. They are Veronica Huening, Lakeview Terrace on October 13; Walter Stocker, Global Business Strategists on October 20; and Pastor Adam Stetson of Christ Lutheran Church on October 27.

Members of the community may attend by contacting Taina Gude at (702) 204-3399.

Boulder City’s Halloween nightmare returns for 13 nights only!

This October, enter The Fright Zone at Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum for a night of monsters, scares, and movie-quality horror.

Your $35 Fright Zone ticket includes BOTH attractions:

BLACKWELL MANOR
Step inside the dark and twisted halls of Blackwell Manor, where something sinister is waiting around every corner. Packed with terrifying characters, gruesome creatures, practical effects, and plenty of scares, Blackwell Manor is a full haunted house experience created by Hollywood monster maker Tom Devlin and his team.

TOM DEVLIN’S MONSTER MUSEUM
Continue your night inside Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum, a one-of-a-kind collection celebrating the art and history of movie monsters. Explore creatures, props, costumes, and displays inspired by decades of horror, science fiction, and practical special effects.

TWO ATTRACTIONS. ONE TICKET. $35.

Well, that sounds like some fun! We will see you out there!

• Global access
• Fitness classes
• Red light/ tanning
• Cold plunge / Sauna
• Inbody scans
• Hydromassage massage guns
• Personal training
• And much more!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get back to good health at Snap Fitness! Snap Fitness is located at 1030 Nevada Way in the same shopping center plaza at Albertsons. Join today!

Every Saturday 9:00AM Church of the Wooden Cross Non-Denominal services.

October 15 – 1:30PM to 3:00PM Live Entertainment

October 17 – 1:45PM to 2:45PM Live Entertainment by The Sun Shine Singers

October 23 – 1:30PM to 3:00PM Live Music and song with Dianna Kretschmer

October 29 – 1:30PM to 3:00PM Songs We Remember with Michael Nugent

October 30 – 12:00PM Haunted Hallway and trick or treat

October 30 – 2:00PM Monster Mash party

Lakeview Terrace is an assisted living facility overlooking beautiful Lake Mead. For more information, contact (702) 293-0181.

Written by graduate Lori LaBarge Wilkerson
Photos courtesy of graduates Russell Gates and Debbie Jefferson Marsh

The Boulder City High School Class of 1976 had “a hot time in the old Hometown” this past weekend! The “Bi-Centennial Class of ‘76” joined the ranks of national celebrants this year following the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence; the 100th Birthday of Route 66 and, now, the Golden Anniversary of our Graduation. “We made our own Trifecta!”, joked one reveler, leaning into the Vegas proximity.

BCHS Class of ’76 50th Reunion Grads and Guests were treated to a whole weekend of activities. Things kicked off Friday afternoon with an administration-led VIP Tour of the renovated Boulder City High School. Former students were stunned, but delighted at the changes; meandering through new and re-purposed buildings and “getting stuck” gazing at all the memorabilia and photos lining the ways. Choruses of “I remember this!”, “Look at us here!” and “This is like a time capsule!” were overheard. It’s an amazing accomplishment, melding new technology, while being ever mindful of all these halls have contained. The Class presented BCHS with a donation for Athletics and Performing Arts – both areas of representation by the Grads.

Friday night you could hear the happy ruckus all the way down the street, as Reunion attenders gathered at Reunion Committee Organizer, Mike Well’s Canyon Trail RV Park for a Pizza Welcome Party! Jokes of “Who are all these old people??” and “I remember when you used to have hair!” mixed with tunes from the day as the backdrop for great food, dessert and conversation. The years melted away gathering around photos dating all the way back to Kindergarten, as attenders reminisced about how many of them went from K-12 together.

Saturday morning it was ALL ABOARD as the Grads and Guests met at the shiny new Nevada State Train Museum’s Visitor Center. We hopped aboard the Caboose and were led to “First Class” accommodations in the newly renovated Dining Car. A friendly Train Volunteer greeted the attenders and proudly spoke of the Train’s history and plans for the future.

Then it was on to the big Event on Saturday night! Fifty-three attenders (graduates and several “plus 1’s”) spiffed up and headed over to a real Boulder City legend – the Boulder City Elks Lodge! Guests were ushered into a ballroom decked out wall-to-wall in blue and gold and shimmering twinkle lights. There were stations devoted to a memorial display and a fun, bright backdrop for photos. Area favorite, “Juan’s Flaming Fajitas”, provided a deluxe fajitas buffet and 1976 Graduate Brenda Slocumb brought cupcakes which were as delightful as they were delicious. Live music by Joey Vitale got the party started, and we had a bonus treat with beverages served by Mike’s daughter, Tasha. Following dinner, attenders were treated to videos first remembering our classmates who have passed, followed by one honoring all our Hometown Heroes – those who served in the military, as first responders, medical personnel and education providers. A standing ovation was offered to all represented. The Class of 1976 is presenting a donation to The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in their honor. A surprise game of Video Trivia was played with clues gleaned from “Guilty Pleasures and other Unknown Facts” submitted in advance by the Grads. It was hard to tell. which answer was the funniest! Special thanks to local Vendors Tony’s Pizza / The Coffee Cup and The Shopper Stopper for providing generous prizes. Then, the hours were spent in conversation, laughter, remembering and making new plans.

A spontaneous Coffee Klatch was held at The Boulder City Company Store Sunday morning with 13 bleary-eyed champions making it over. Amid final hugs and farewells, graduate L.D. summed up the consensus of the attenders, “After fifty years, it took some effort to get here (to the Reunion), but I am SO GLAD I did! It showed me how much I’ve missed all these people and that we definitely need to stay in touch!” Mic drop….

October 22 is Halloween Trivia Night, Part 2. Come with your friends and play a little trivia for free, starting at 7:00PM. Costumes are encouraged and they’ll have some holiday-themed cocktails that night.

Wrap up October with their Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 31 from 6:00PM to 11:00PM. There will be live music from Xcaliber Band, beer pong, and cornhole. Sip on zombie juice or select a creepy cocktail instead.

Boulder Dam Brewing Company is located at 453 Nevada Way in the heart of Historic Downtown Boulder City.

Charlene's father, James, helped her begin the tradition back in 1997, when they built their first haunted house together. Both were big fans of Halloween and looked forward to sharing their joy with neighbors and other members of the community. James passed away in 2002, but Charlene revived the tradition in 2010 to help carry her father's legacy forward, and to celebrate her oldest son's birthday, which is October 29. She continued creating different displays annually in California, until moving away in 2019.

From the event website HERE, Charlene describes the maze like this:

"Filled with animatronics, strobe lights, black lights, and a variety of ever-changing themes, this maze is a cool and fun exploration of the many sides of Halloween. Open to all ages, there is a "scary" side and a more "Halloween-sensitive" side, allowing the fun to be available to everyone."

You’ll definitely want to check out the website for fun videos, photos, and information about previous versions of the maze. She works hard to make it different each year so that it’s always a new experience for the visitors.

Just to give you an idea of the work that goes into a display like this, Charlene began building the maze in June and she’s still got a few more things to do before the 23rd! She says she does it for the enjoyment of the visitors to the maze, especially the children, who will be able to enjoy an expanded kids section this year.

In addition to sharing this exciting tradition with local residents, she also believes in giving back to the community. There will be an opportunity for visitors to bring canned and nonperishable food to the event as she is an official collection point for Emergency Aid of Boulder City.

You can make plans to visit Fergie's Fun Fright beginning Friday, October 23 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. The dates for the maze are October 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and November 1. Come check it out and bring your friends! Costumes are encouraged but not required. Charlene will be handing out small toys this year to the children who come to visit the maze. Don’t forget to leave a Facebook review of the maze HERE! As always, admission is free.

• New date: Sunday, October 18th
• Same time: 12:00PM to 8:00PM
• New location: Broadbent Park at 861 Avenue B (by the Municipal Pool)
• Free parking: In the lot adjacent to the football and softball fields, along Avenue B, and along Fifth Street, in parking zones.

Everything else remains the same! You can find out more about the event HERE on our Special Events section or HERE where we recently did a post about the festival.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, you can do so from our Special Events page. Remember, this is a family friendly show and children 12 and under are FREE!

Boulder City Social and our partner, Roger Gros of Boulder City Podcast, are hosting a Watch Party for the City Council candidates live podcast taping on Monday, October 12 at 6:00PM. Come listen to each of the candidates answer questions from our readers about issues important to them. This FREE event will take place at the Elaine K Smith Center, 700 Wyoming Street. Come hear the candidates at the only candidate event this election season. Candidates who have agreed to attend are Adam Schulthies, Chris Gatlin, Cokie Booth, and Steve Walton.

We look forward to seeing you there on Monday night!

They will also be hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM that is open to the public. The free event offers the following activities:

• Chili buy in
• Community vendors
• Costume contest
• FREE FOOD
• Pie buy in
• Raffle tickets
• And much more!

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Christian Center in October! Bring the family!

The Travel Nevada Adventure Center promises to be a one-stop shop for booking different types of adventure tourism experiences like river tours, e-bike adventures, cruises on Lake Mead, and more! Some of the businesses currently slated to operate out of the Adventure Center include:

• Canyon Riders
• Desert Adventures
• Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures
• HPP Armory
• Lake Mead Cruises
• Loop Trail Rentals
• Papillon Helicopters

“Travel Nevada Adventure Centers are immersive, interactive visitor hubs designed to spark discovery, support local business, and grow Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy. Staffed by knowledgeable partners, these centers help travelers gear up, stay safe, and explore responsibly.

For our brand-new visitors and anyone coming to Nevada to experience all the amazing outdoor adventures, Travel Nevada Adventure Centers can offer expert guides, the best in rental equipment, information, and everything else you need to make your Nevada recreation adventure the trip of a lifetime.”

This great facility will bring new visitors to our city to enjoy our many restaurants, shops, and other businesses and make Boulder City a memorable stop on a Southern Nevada vacation.

The sale takes up the entire church campus at 1150 Wyoming Street. It starts at 8:00AM both mornings. The sale ends at 5:00PM on Friday and 2:00PM on Saturday. This church fundraiser helps make church improvements and missions possible. Come on out and see this event for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!

Ace Hardware, 541 Nevada Way
Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona Street
Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, 100 Nevada Way

In celebration of the country's 250th anniversary, the theme of this year's Chautauqua is Spark of a New Nation and will feature three historical figures from the American Revolution: Paul Revere, Martha Washington, and Alexander Hamilton. There will be three performances. Terry Lynch will portray Paul Revere on Friday, October 23 at 6:30PM. Katharine Pittman will be featured as Martha Washington on Saturday, October 24 at the 2:00PM matinee. Concluding the performances on Saturday night at 6:30PM, Hal Bidlack will be portraying Alexander Hamilton.

There will also be a Silent Auction of a Commemorative Chautauqua quilt. It is mentioned in the press release, and a photo of the quilt is attached.

In addition to the performances, the public is invited to meet the performers on Thursday, October 22 beginning at 5:00PM.

Chautauqua Colonial Themed Meet and Greet Reception — An evening with the Scholars, plus drinks, dinner and dessert Thursday, October 22, 5:00-8:30pm $35 Donation

This is their primary fundraising activity, but this year they are also conducting a Silent Auction for a lovely Chautauqua Commemorative quilt. The quilt was designed by Kim Madrazo, and quilted by Jessica Whittaker, owner of Silver State Stitch Shop. You can see the quilt in person at the shop, 1229 Arizona Street, here in Boulder City. If you would like to attend the reception, bid on the quilt, or have any questions about Chautauqua, please text 725-780-5913.

If you've never experienced this unique event that has been presented annually in Boulder City since 1992, it's time you gave it a try, and see what you've been missing.

Those of you who have been faithful audience members for all these years know what we're talking about. Tickets are still just $20 per performance, $35 if you bundle an evening performance with the matinee. Don't wait. Buy yours now, in person at Ace Hardware, Boulder Dam Hotel, or the Chamber of Commerce. Or on-line via a link on our website, bcchautauqua.org.

Quilt to be auctioned off

Paul Revere (January 1, 1735 – May 10, 1818) was an American silversmith, military officer and industrialist who played a major role during the opening months of the American Revolutionary War in Massachusetts, engaging in a midnight ride in 1775 to alert nearby minutemen of the approach of British troops prior to the battles of Lexington and Concord.

By giving the minutemen advance warning of the British Army's actions, the ride played a crucial role in the Patriot victory in the subsequent battles at Lexington and Concord. The ride has been commemorated in a range of cultural depictions.

Paul Revere will be portrayed by Terry Lynch.

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 2, 1731 – May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, who was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, she served as the inaugural first lady of the United States, defining the role of the president's wife and setting many precedents that future first ladies observed. During her tenure, she was referred to as "Lady Washington". Washington is consistently ranked in the upper half of first ladies by historians.

Martha Washington will be portrayed by Katharine Pittman.

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first U.S. secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795 under the presidency of George Washington. He also founded America's first political party, the Federalist Party, in 1791.

Born out of wedlock in Charlestown on the Caribbean island of Nevis, Hamilton was orphaned as a child and taken in by a prosperous merchant. He was given a scholarship and pursued his education at King's College (now Columbia University) in New York City where, despite his young age, he was an anonymous but prolific and widely read pamphleteer and advocate for the American Revolution. He then served as an artillery officer in the American Revolutionary War, where he saw military action against the British Army in the New York and New Jersey campaign, served for four years as aide-de-camp to Continental Army commander in chief George Washington, and fought under Washington's command in the war's climatic battle, the Siege of Yorktown, which secured American victory in the war and with it, the independence of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton will be portrayed by Hal Bidlack.

Scholars: In Costume & Out of Costume

In Costume	Out of Costume
Paul Revere portrayed by Terry Lynch	Terry Lynch
Martha Washington portrayed by Katharine Pittman	Katharine Pittman
Alexander Hamilton portrayed by Hal Bidlack	Hal Bidlack

This is happening on Sunday, October 11, starting at 6:00PM. Complimentary light snacks and drinks will be available. The event will take place at the Los Angeles Water and Power Department building at 600 Nevada Way. Tickets are just $50 for this performance so call (702) 461-6842 to make your reservations today!

The objective of the haunted house is to give visitors a good time getting scared, like a traditional haunted house. Inside you'll find all manner of creepy horrors, from clowns to skeletons, and floating heads to painted masks. The music adds to the experience, as does the exterior and interior lighting.

Kelley, the owner of 31 Freak Street, began his creepy career building haunted houses in his garage for neighbors. His creativity led him to larger displays of holiday horrors until he was building elaborate houses in storefronts. His primary goal is to bring the spooky fun to visitors at an affordable price. He hopes that once people tour his haunted house, they will come back and bring their friends.

The haunted house is recommended for 10 years old and older. Tickets are only $22 and can be purchased online HERE or in person at the door. We dare you to check them out this weekend! The Haunted House is open on the following dates:

October 2, 3, and 4
October 9,10, and 11
October 15, 16, 17, and 18
October 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
Weekdays and Sundays from 7:00PM to 10:00PM
Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00pm to 11:00PM

Come see why the House of Screams will leave you gasping for air!

Saturday, October 10th is the Boulder City Firefighters Association’s Annual Pancake Breakfast, so head over to the fire station at 1101 Elm Street from 8:00AM to 11:00AM and meet the folks who serve both our community and pancakes to you!

Fire station tours will be given, and all the trucks and gear will be out on display for the “kids”. Yes, you know who you are! Mercy Air will be there with their air ambulance to see up close. There’s a bike rodeo with free helmets for the kids. There will also be a blood drive by Vitalant.

Come on down and enjoy breakfast and a chance to see these first responders. Check out the flyer below for details.

Ava turned 12 over the summer and is in the seventh grade at EM Garrett Middle School where she excels in all her subjects. One of her favorite classes is, of course, art, and she likes her art teacher, Mrs. Julie Sorensen. She has always loved drawing and sketching, beginning to do so when she was just a small child. Her parents encouraged her by buying art supplies and complimenting her work.

She hadn’t planned on participating in the Utility Box Project, but her mom told her about it, and it sounded like a fun idea. She submitted her portfolio and proposal to Main Street Boulder City for consideration, and she was among the ten artists chosen for the project, which helps add color and beautify the city.

Ava has many animals, which we’ll tell you about later, but one stood out as inspiration for her utility box design. She has a quail named Stanley, who is featured prominently in her artwork for the box. Stanley is pictured against a background of Lake Mead, sun, clouds, and other wildlife and flora. It took about a month to sketch, and then paint, her contribution to the project. She used her happy memories of a vacation in Mexico to inform her design.

As we previously mentioned, Ava has a lot of animals, which she loves dearly. There are 4 dogs, 6 quail, a cat, and her pony named Ruckus. On the day we met her, her family had expanded by one more horse, named Brentley.

Ava loves ramen noodles and the colors light pink or rose gold. Her favorite flower is the rose, and she would like to be a marine biologist when she becomes an adult, due to her love of animals and the ocean. Ava also enjoys musical theatre and acting, dancing, horse training, and rock climbing. She is a very active and busy person!

Ava is the daughter of Lindy Christensen and Rob Snodgrass. She also has a younger sister named Scarlett, and they enjoy watching television together. She plans to continue working on her art, perhaps entering some additional contests where her talent can shine. We think that sounds like the perfect plan!

Ava Snodgrass, with Stanley

Ava at her utility box near Bravo Field (courtesy of Lindy Christensen)

Work by the artist, Ava Snodgrass (courtesy of Lindy Christensen)

Work by the artist, Ava Snodgrass (courtesy of Lindy Christensen)

Work by the artist, Ava Snodgrass (courtesy of Lindy Christensen)

Ava Snodgrass canters on a horse (courtesy of Lindy Christensen)

Do you have a photo you’d like to share with us? You can submit your Fan Photos HERE. Who knows? Maybe your photograph will be the next one featured. Please note that you can now send in photos in .HEIC format, in addition to .JPEG, .JPG, and .PNG, so send them on over!

The Library will be closed the following days for October 2026:

• Monday, October 12 for Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day
• Friday, October 30 for Nevada Day

Otherwise, the Library will be open for regular hours the rest of the month: Monday thru Thursday from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, and Friday through Sunday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.

Here are the events for October:

Ages 0-5 Programs

Join us to Trick or Treat in the Library immediately following storytimes on 10/23 & 10/27 at 11am and on 10/29 at 10:30am. Children attending storytime are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costume and bring a bag/bucket to collect treats!

Ages 6-11 Programs

Ages 12-17 Programs

Family Programs

All Ages Programs

Ages 18+ Programs

Tech Teachers

Tech Teacher APPOINTMENTS are available! To sign-up for a one-on-one time, please visit the information desk or call the library at 702-293-1281.

Exclusions FOR TECH TEACHER INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Device repairs, device set-up, same day appointments, over the phone appointments, and/or multiple same week appointments. Tech Teachers are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm & 2pm and Wednesdays at 12pm & 1pm.

Makerspace Programs

Weekly Open Makerspace Times:

Space is limited. Machines are first come, first serve.

October Makerspace Certification Classes:

Sign ups required for each certification class. All certification classes are held in the makerspace.

The annual Boulder City Police Department (BCPD) versus Boulder City Fire Department (BCFD) Battle of the Badges softball game will take place at 6:00PM, which is always fun to watch! In addition to the game, attendees will be able to tour the Mercy Air ambulance, as well as other law enforcement and fire department vehicles. There will be K9 demonstrations too!

There will be lots of things for young children and families to participate in as well as giveaways. The fun would not be complete without food trucks, including In N Out Burger!

Let's make this a great turnout to support our local first responders!

UPDATED WITH NEW DATE AND LOCATION

The Best Dam Country Jam has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 18, 12:00PM to 8:00PM, at Broadbent Park, 861 Avenue B (by the Municipal Pool).

The inaugural Best Dam Country Jam will be Sunday, October 11, 2026 starting at 12:00PM. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for the next Sunday, October 18 at the same time. This new event, hosted by the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, will be held at Pratte Fields down at Veterans Memorial Park and will feature country musical artists Dez Hoston, The Rhyolite Sound and Zach Ryan and The Boys. The music will begin at 4:00PM and conclude around 8:00PM. This is one of the first music festivals to be held in Boulder City.

Limited FREE parking will be offered near the venue so arrive early. Can’t make it early? Additional parking will be available along Veterans Memorial Drive and will be marked with signage. Motorhomes and RVs are not permitted at this event.

There are a few things you cannot bring with you to the festival so take note of these items please. All personal bags are subject to search.

Media recording devices (other than personal cellphone)

Outside food or beverages

Tents

Coolers of any kind

Firearms, knives or cutting devices

Drugs, marijuana of any kind

There will be fun children’s activities, awesome food and beverage vendors (bring some cash with you and a valid ID if you plan to purchase alcohol!), and the live country music mentioned above. This can all be yours for just $25.00! Bring chairs and blankets for the festival seating and enjoy an evening of exciting, entertaining, family friendly fun. Hurry and get your tickets HERE. Children 12 and under are FREE.

Check out the event website HERE for more information.

To RSVP, use the QR code below, or contact Leyla at the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce by calling (702) 293-2034.

Godbey family posed in penstock pipe, L-R: Everett Godbey, "Bun" Godbey, Lee Godbey (Everett's wife), Dale Bailey (Bun's cousin), Lina Fahrion (Erma Godbey's mother) holding: Alice Mae Godbey, Erma Godbey, Thomas Godbey, Ila Margaret Godbey, Monroe Sullivan, James "Jimmy" Godbey, Alice Sullivan (sister of Thomas Godbey), Tommy Godbey, Laura Lina Godbey, Samette "Sammy" Sullivan (Daughter of Joe & Alice Sullivan), Joe Sullivan (Courtesy of Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum)

This is the first in a series of articles featuring guest writer, Alan Goya. Alan is a long-time resident of Boulder City and somewhat of a raconteur who has collected a number of historical anecdotes about the people and history of our town. We open this series with a story of Ila M (Godbey) Clements-Davey, who passed away last month at the age of 95. Her obituary can be found HERE.

Ila M. Clements-Davey (Godbey) being a kid, Ragtown to Boulder City

Ragtown

The 31er’s of Boulder City Nevada were the folks who arrived in 1931 at the very beginning before the town was built. Those who did not have jobs yet, literally camped out on the banks of the then wild and muddy Colorado below Hemenway Wash in a place appropriately called Ragtown, with hopes of finding employment on the largest single construction project since the Pyramids and more recently the Panama Canal.

Now the powers that be did not plan on this encampment and certainly hadn’t considered that that the male white workers they were looking to employ would bring along wife and kids or for that matter non-white folks and their kids, but that’s another story. But they did come and in mass. Now living along the muddy river with no facilities or infrastructure in 110 degree plus heat (I’m writing this in August during an extended heat dome in the air-conditioned comfort of my Boulder City home).

The few locals who made their living along the river formed groups like Lend a Hand and Emergency Aid to help these desperate but hopeful people to survive. It is a testament to community of Boulder City that these organizations still exist almost 100 years later.

In this environment Tom Godbey brought his family including baby Ila in 1931 hoping and praying for a better future.

I first met Ila in the when she was, I think, 86 at the grand opening of the remodeled hotel in a top floor suite. I was in the bedroom next to the king-sized bed when a woman with the presence of Katherine Hepburn entered the room a proudly announced, “I had my honeymoon here!”. I was a bit perplexed, not knowing if I should leave her private space or start asking questions, so I introduced myself and told her I was interested in learning about Boulder City history.

What followed is a friendship that formed by our mutual interest of sharing the stories of Boulder City to future generations.

Being a Kid in Boulder City

At first glance and to most people who have lived here less than two years, Boulder City feels like a quaint, historic town that is frozen in time. But Boulder City has always been driven by technology, progress and sublimely on art.

Now the first thing they built in Boulder City was a 2-million-gallon water tank, which is the one that still looms over Denver Street. Now after they built the tank including all the sucking and or siphoning contraptions need to get the water from the river, it was said that water was too thick to drink, but too thin to grow anything in, so the next thing they built was a water filtration plant, yes the one that has been beautiful preserved with the Community Gardens and Teddy Fenton Memorial Park Reflection Center (no wonder I keep forgetting the name of the park) below Denver Street.

Now Ila’s Dad Tom got a job at the Water Filtration Plant and since Ila was still too young to go to school, she would often accompany her Dad to work. This was the 30’s version of bring your child to work day before of days of OSHA or social workers. Ila would love going up and down the elevator, but her favorite thing to do was to sit on the moving boom that swirled around the settling tanks where she would imagine herself sailing a ship all over the world. Which proves my maxim that what doesn’t kill you is memorable.

There is a well-known picture of the Ila and her sister Laura standing inside a section of the fabricated section of one of the diversion tunnel with family and friends showing the enormity of the tunnel. Ila remembers the photo taken on a very cold Christmas Morning of 1933. She was a very reluctant model she says because while the adults were all bundled up, she and her sister were dressed in little, short skirts and they thought they would freeze to death. Another memorable moment that they lived through.

When Ila was much older and in the 3rd grade the biggest movie star of the day was Shirley Temple. Now after the dedication of at the time Boulder Dam (how it becomes again Hoover Dam is another story), a lot of Hollywood Celebrities including child star Shirley Temple came out to see the wondrous dam that had just lit up Hollywood, Los Angeles and the rest Southern California. Shirley, her mother and their studio entourage stopped by Boulder City and visited the school which was located into today’s City Hall. Now Shirley had never been to public schools with children, most of her world was full of adults and tutors.

It just so happens that day of Shirley’s visit one of the students had called in sick, under dubious circumstances as she was an only child and her mother often indulged her. Since there was an extra chair and desk the teacher asked Shirley would like to join the class. Shirley was excited to be able to be with children and her mother seeing an opportunity for enrichment agreed to let her join the class for the rest of day. The 3rd grade class was on the first floor of the building adjacent to Arizona street and recess started instead of going through doors the kids would all crawl out the 1st floor window to go play in what is now Escalante Park. At recess Ila marveling at Shirley curled hair and beautiful outfit asked her what the difference between her and other kids and Shirley answered without arrogance and with the simple truth of young innocence said “money”. When asked later by the press what she thought of public schools Shirley Temple exclaimed “Just swell!”.

Ila was a kid the grew up in special time and place Boulder City Nevada. She grew up in a time of tremendous changes in the world, including the Great Depression, the electrification of the west, World War II and emergence, growth and dominance of the once frontier west.

We spent our time together talking about the past of Boulder City including its later years after when she left and came back and spent her honeymoon with her second husband at The Boulder Dam Hotel. She knew and socialized with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez Sr when they were in Boulder City supporting their son Desi Jr. before the couple separated. She was there when President Franklin Roosevelt arrived by special train where he disembarked at the Water Treatment Plant at the end of Railroad Ave and got into a special limousine which hid the fact the President was wheelchair bound, that took him to the Dedication of what he then called Boulder Dam. But her best memories of all was flying kites in Boulder City, but that’s another story.