GOLDFIELD -- The Aug. 17-19 Goldfield Days schedule is out.

Events begin Friday at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, corner of Highway 95 and Euclid, with Casino Night and silent auction. A seat for Casino Night costs $5 and chips are 25 cents each, with cash for chips turned in at the end of the evening. Games will include Texas Hold 'Em, poker, blackjack and possibly faro.

Bids in the silent auction will be accepted throughout the evening, with last-chance bids called for at around 10 or 11 p.m. Prizes in the past have included trip coupons, passes and jewelry.

Saturday is the big day, starting off with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge on Fifth Avenue, followed by children's fingerprinting.

The parade, which will go up Highway 95 from the hotel south of its big bend to Columbia Street, starts at 9 a.m. Though no word is forthcoming on other parade participation, a dignified funeral procession for an unnamed floozy is planned as part of it. The belly dancer who is planning to come to Goldfield Days may also participate.

After the parade, at 10 a.m., the place to be is the courthouse steps for the annual land auction.

Eight land parcels in Goldfield and one mining claim are up for bidding.

All of the lots are bare land, some with utilities, and some not, and may be viewed at any time before the auction. Information is available at www.accessesmeralda.com. Printed information packets may be obtained from the Esmeralda County clerk and treasurer's office, in the courthouse on Main Street, for $5 apiece.

The Columbia Bar, on Columbia Street, is the site for a couple of contests that should prove to be interesting. The beard contest starts at 1 p.m., and the liars contest at 2 p.m. It may be that the expectation is that more bearded people than liars will show up, since the liars are given 30 more minutes of time.

At 3:30 p.m., the Eulogy for a Floozy -- the floozy from the parade -- will be given at the Community Center, a converted church. The ceremony is expected to be quite "moving."

Then, at 4 p.m., the action moves to the Santa Fe Saloon, about six blocks down Fifth Avenue from the highway, with a barbecue, followed by a horseshoe tournament at 5 p.m. and a street dance beginning at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by Goldrush.

Sunday is for animal lovers, with a pet parade down Columbia Street at 10 a.m.

There will be children's games throughout the day Saturday, at various locations.

More information on events, parade entry forms, and vendor registration forms can be obtained by calling (775) 485-3560. By Saturday, Aug. 18, signs pointing to event locations will be set out at appropriate street corners.