Dayton’s Santa Maria Day
People are always telling me how great Santa Maria Day was and that we ought to bring it back. I’ve heard every version of it. Some say it was a big wine fest where all the local winemakers showed up to pour and see who had the best batch. Others say it was wild, people drinking in the street. Others remember it as more of a street concert with music and dancing. So depending on who you talk to, it was the best thing ever, the worst thing ever, or something in between.
Turns out it was kind of all of that.
Recently, on a cleanout job, I found an original official program from Aug. 15, 1987. That’s gold. There are a few stories in it that I’m going to share, but I want to start with this one by Lee Vecchiarelli. Thank you, Lee, wherever you may be.
Dayton’s Santa Maria Day
A Celebration of the Patron Saint of the Town of Dayton
By: Lee Vecchiarelli
Santa Maria Say is a celebration of the Patron Saint of the Town of Dayton, Nevada. Once the teeming truck farms of Italian immigrants produced thousands of pounds of vegetables an produce for the Comstock cities of Carson, Virginia City, Carson Valley, Silver City and Gold Hill. It also covered Como, Ragown, Wabuska and Yerington.
The farmers, being of Italian origin, celebrated the Mass of St. Mary in August back as far as 1896, famous for its feasts for all who came.
Dayton continues to celebrate this festival day on the closest Saturday to St. Mary’s Day in the Catholic calendar.
Local priests lead the processional much as they did 90 years ago (now 129) and a parade follows at noon down Pike St. to Main where local Assemblyman Joe Dini will give the welcoming address this year. The parade Grand Marshall will be Fannie Belle Spurgeon, an 84 year old who was brought up and has lived in Nevada’s mining towns, settling in Dayton in 1965.
Famous dramatic soprano opera star Lane Vannoy Baxter will sing the National Anthem and the town will resound with secret bank robberies, wagon holdups, shootouts, and gayety will abound.
30 concessioners will ply their wares-including old time photos, face painting, dart games, cake walk, taco hut, beef specials, hot dogs, cotton candy, religious articles, arts and crafts, and many, many more attractions for the entire family.
Local entertainers will be performing and a concert is planned.
The Dayton Volunteer Library will conduct a massive book sale at the Community Center with the Bed Races being the focal point of the day. Already, a dozen beds are in the heat of it all with merchants challenging one another to a Bed Spread Duel. May the best “Wench on the Bed” win, is the cry!! Cash money is offered for the first, second, and third bed race winners with the first place bed also holding on to the coveted Governor’s Trophy. Last year’s winner, the Old Fogy’s Saloon, has challenged Dayton Sand and Gravel to the finish line.
All merchants around town will be featuring diverse entertainment all day and a great time is in store for all Dayton citizens, visitors and dignitaries. A salute to our Nevada heritage, Santa Maria Day is a walk into America’s past. See you all on Santa Maria Day August 15th.
What say you, should we bring it back? If you're interested in bringing Santa Maria Days back, please contact me. I'd like to honor the tradition, keep it small, only local booths. Kind of a primer for the much bigger Dayton Valley Days.
