Lyn Hanes of Doyle told us she watched the conception of Doyle Days unfold on a napkin as she tended bar. A local artist, Les Smith, drew a cartoon image of a lizard racing in a tank top and shorts. “We just went with the flow and before you knew it we had a plan.” said Hanes. Last year Doyle celebrated their 100th year as a town.
Friday night, July 30, Doyle will offer a variety of local entertainment and a big BBQ. At a Kick Off Dance at the Buck Inn (bar) also on Friday night, they will announce the results of their Honorary Mayor “election” . They boast about the fact that they have honest candidates, because they literally buy their votes and the money goes to Doyle Days to be used for funding projects, helping children in need, and scholarships, centered on children in the community.
Saturday morning there will be a parade followed by the famous Lizard Races throughout the day. They will rent you a lizard to race, or you can catch your own. There is a small entry fee.
The Comstock Civil War Re-enactors will be running the “jale”. They will be “arresting” people without Doyle Days Buttons, (and according to organizers they can be bribed to arrest someone for unspecified crimes). You can have your “trial” and be out of jail by paying a “fine” in a matter of minutes.
Cowboys will be shooting each other, The Guns and Gals of Old Virginia City will be joining in the fun too. Families will be playing old fashioned games with contests, softball, volleyball, horseshoes and live entertainment throughout the day. There will be food and merchandise vendors, raffles, a flea market and much more. Vendors pay $15.00 for a booth for the two days.
The organization that puts on Doyle Days is the Fort Sage-Long Valley Community Program. According to Lyn Hanes, “The volunteers will be exhausted, swear they are not doing it again next year and when next year comes it will be the same faces and they will bring friends, because they had fun and raised money for a good cause as well as gave our community a great time for little money.” Doyle Days takes place Friday and Saturday July 30 and 31, 2010 in beautiful downtown Doyle.
For information on the area, contact the Doyle Chamber of Commerce at (530) 827-2037.
