Oct. 31 isn't just for trick-or-treaters in Nevada. It's the day to celebrate statehood on Oct. 31, 1864.

The state's motto is "Battle Born" and it surely was, although any talk of its admission being because its silver and gold could help finance the North in the Civil War is a myth.

Actually, by late 1864, the war was winding down and the North was clearly headed toward victory. The need was not for war funding (Nevada had become a territory in 1861 for that reason), but rather for votes. Abraham Lincoln faced re-election challenges. New states were needed to get him elected and Nevada was one of them.

This year's celebration is "A Salute to Abraham Lincoln," but the history, as usual in this country, takes a back seat to the party. Carson City is always in full glory for Nevada Day and Saturday promises to be full of activity.

The biggest event is the annual parade, making its way down Carson Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., kicking off with an 8 a.m. balloon launch and a 10 a.m. flyover of jet fighters from Fallon Naval Air Station and a C-130 Hercules from the Nevada Air National Guard.

One of the most popular competitions of the day dates to the days of the Comstock mines of Virginia City and the development of Carson City as a transfer point and eventually a state capital. Mining has always been a dangerous business but it was even more so in the mid-1800s, when holes for dynamite had to be punched by hand. This was done with what was called a single jack.

The 34th Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest will take place at 11 a.m. in the Carson Nugget west parking lot. Contestants use 4 1/2-pound hammers and as many bits of graduated steel as is necessary for them to drill a three-quarter-inch hole in a 4,320-pound piece of Sierra white granite. They have 10 minutes to pound the drills into the stone, assisted only by one other person who runs water into the hole to splash out the stone chips. The deepest hole wins. The world record is 16.34 inches.

Also on the agenda: The popular annual beard contest, taking place on the Capitol steps immediately after the parade ends. Prizes are given for the longest, the fullest, the reddest, the whitest, the blackest, the best salt-and-pepper, the scruffiest, and the best-groomed.

There is also an award for the Best Bearded Community, which has been won for the last four years by Virginia City. Anybody who has visited Virginia City will register no surprise.

The La Ka Le'Ba Pow-Wow is free Friday through Sunday at the Colony Gym (2900 S. Curry St.) and features American Indian arts, crafts, entertainment, food and dancing.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki hosts the free noon-2 p.m. chili feed at the Carson Nugget. It began when Richard Bryan ran for governor in 1982; he created it as a campaign event and it has continued since.

The Governor's Mansion, 606 Mountain St., will offer free tours noon to 4 p.m.

There will be a train steam-up Sunday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors and $3 children 6-11.

There are, of course, plenty of political events, the most popular of which is the annual Carson City Republican Women's pancake breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Governor's Mansion in the Nevada Room ($6).

A carnival will run in Mills Park; there will be a Silver State Rumble amateur boxing event in the Carson City Community Center (3 p.m.; $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children ages 6-12); a run/walk takes place at 8 a.m. to benefit the Special Olympics; a kids' Pinewood Derby is held at 1 p.m.; and this is a perfect time to visit the Nevada State Museum at 600 N. Carson (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; $6, $4 seniors, children under 8 free).