Every family has that one story that gets told at gatherings, passed down through generations and somehow gets a little bigger every time. Now, Nevada Day wants to make sure those stories don't get lost.
Nevada Day Inc. is asking families across the state to share their favorite tall tales for a digital time capsule that will preserve Nevada memories, traditions, and family stories for future generations.
The idea is simple: Maybe it's a legendary road trip, a strange encounter in the desert, a family prank, or an old Nevada tradition. Whether the story is completely true or has changed a little over the years, organizers want to hear it.
“Nevada has history, and Nevada has legends, but a lot of our best stories have never been written down,” said Jennell Peck, president of the Nevada Day Inc. Board of Directors. “They live in our families. Maybe the story is true, maybe it’s mostly true, or maybe Grandpa’s version has changed a little over the years. Those are exactly the stories we want to save.”
The call for stories ties into this year's Nevada Day Parade theme, Pumpkins, Pioneers & Tall Tales. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, in Carson City.
Families can submit their stories online at NevadaDay.com/time-capsule-america-250. The submission form allows people to write out their story and upload a photo or scan to go with it.
Organizers are asking storytellers to include who originally told the story, where it happened in Nevada, and which generation it came from.
The deadline to submit a story is Oct. 30.
The project is part of From America 250 to America 300, a time capsule initiative that launched July 4, 2026. It is collecting contributions from sponsors, businesses, veterans groups, school classrooms, and the public to create a record of life in Nevada during the nation's 250th anniversary year.
Peck said the goal is to give future generations a glimpse into what life was like for Nevada families in 2026.
“Years from now, someone will open this time capsule and find out what Nevada families were talking about in 2026,” said Peck. “Let’s give them something worth reading. So come on, Nevada, tell us your tall tale!”
