Virginia City developed as a boomtown with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States, with numerous mines opening. The population peaked in the mid-1870s, with an estimated 25,000 residents. The mines' output declined after 1878, and the population declined as a result. As of the 2020 Census, the population of Virginia City was 787.
Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin are credited with the discovery of the Comstock Lode. Henry T. P. Comstock's name was associated with the discovery through his own machinations. According to folklore, James Fennimore, nicknamed Old Virginny Finney, christened the town when he tripped and broke a bottle of whiskey at a saloon entrance in the northern section of Gold Hill, soon to become Virginia City.
After the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, the town developed seemingly overnight on the eastern slopes of Mount Davidson, perched at a 6200-foot elevation. Below the town were dug intricate ...
Awakening at Wynn
Awakening is a contemporary pop theater show at Wynn Las Vegas that premiered on November 7, 2022. It is a resident show that runs Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The show features a cast of 60 artists and over 300 haute couture-inspired costumes. It is set in a 360-degree theater with dichroic glass and embedded lights and screens, creating a kaleidoscope of light effect. Each of the 1,600 seats has individual stereo speakers, totaling 3,200 speakers for surround sound.
The storyline follows IO, a reluctant hero, on her quest to reunite Light and Darkness. The show incorporates illusions, music, dance, and puppetry, with a custom-built 60-foot stage for theater in the round and custom LED screens built into the stage. The recorded narration is provided by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins.
Awakening has received mixed reviews. Some praise its production value and immersive theater experience, while others criticize its storyline and humor. The show was voted ...
Bacon Fest 2025 Des Moines
The 17th annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, themed "The Bacon Boat," is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. This event celebrates bacon with unlimited samples, food vendors selling bacon delicacies, live music, a silent disco, and the renowned bacon eating contest. The musical headliner for the event is Yachty by Nature, a Southern California-based band known for their yacht rock sounds from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The festival is expected to attract around 100,000 attendees and will run from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival celebrates bacon with various activities and food options, including unlimited samples and a bacon eating contest.
Yachty by Nature is the musical headliner for the festival, known for their yacht rock music from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The bacon eating contest is a popular feature where attendees can compete in eating bacon.
Iowa State Fairgrounds: Location of ...
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 50th season in 2025. For five decades, The Market has supported farmers, growers and artisan food entrepreneurs from all around the state of Iowa, creating a vibrant gathering place in the heart of the city.
Visitors can explore an array of offerings, including produce, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, plants, flowers and artisan packaged food, handmade art, and ready-to-eat prepared food, alongside unique attractions and activities.
The Market will run every Saturday from May 3 through Oct. 25, in Downtown Des Moines' Historic Court District. The Market operates from 7 a.m. to Noon (8 a.m. to Noon in October).
This is a great activity to do in Des Moines and worth checking out.
Downtown Farmers Market - Celebrating 50 Years - Des Moines Iowa 2025
