Cyndi Loza

It was difficult for Marvin Moss Elementary School fourth-graders to hide their Nevada pride as they belted out the state song, “Home Means Nevada,” on Wednesday.

“It represents how much we love Nevada,” said Mackenzie Scruggs, 9, who wore the state painted in blue on her shirt. “Home sweet home.”

Fernando Vega, 9, moved to Nevada a year ago from Los Angeles. He said the state quickly became his home.

“I like that in the winter (Nevada) has a lot of snow,” Vega said.

In Washoe County School District, Nevada history is taught in the fourth grade.

Nevada Day observes the admission of Nevada into the union on Oct. 31, 1864.

The first known observance of Nevada Day was by the Pacific Coast Pioneer society during the 1870s.

On this holiday all state, county and city government offices are closed, along with most schools and libraries.

This year’s theme will mark 111 years of movie making in Nevada, which all started in 1897 when a film documented the heavyweight prizefight between “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and British challenger Bob Fitzsimmons.

Since then, Nevada has been the backdrop for hundreds of movies including “Charlie Varrick,” “Sister Act,” “Mars Attacks,” “Pink Cadillac,” “Honkytonk Man,” “Vegas,” “The Godfather,” “Ocean’s 11” and “Misery.”

‘Home means Nevada’ lyrics

Way out in the land of the setting sun,
Where the wind blows wild and free,
There’s a lovely spot, just the only one
That means home sweet home to me.
If you follow the old Kit Carson trail,
Until desert meets the hills,
Oh you certainly will agree with me,
It’s the place of a thousand thrills.

Home, means Nevada,
Home, means the hills,
Home, means the sage and the pine.
Out by the Truckee’s silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
There is the land which I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Deep in the heart of the golden west
Home, means Nevada to me.
Whenever the sun at the close of day,
Colors all the western sky,
Oh my heart returns to the desert grey
And the mountains tow’ring high.
Where the moon beams play in shadowed glen,
With the spotted fawn and doe,
All the live long night until morning light,
Is the loveliest place I know.

Home, means Nevada,
Home, means the hills,
Home, means the sage and the pines.
Out by the Truckee’s silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
There is the land that I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Right in the heart of the golden west
Home, means Nevada to me.