The annual Jim Butler Days and Nevada State Mining Championships are gearing up for Memorial Day weekend.

The festivities begin Thursday, May 21, with the CYAC Talent Show at the Tonopah Convention Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. with an admission cost of $2.

Friday night really gets things rolling with the street dance at the Pocket Park on Main Street beginning at 7 p.m., and it's fun for the whole family.

The 39th annual Bartender's Race will take place at the park during the street dance, and the event always generates a lot of excitement and gets a lot of laughs as the contestants race not only the clock, but other teams, to win the coveted title.

Saturday is packed with events promising something for everyone, beginning with the Boy Scouts Pancake Breakfast at the Tonopah Elks Lodge. Get up early because the doors open at 7 a.m. and there is always a crowd for the great breakfast the kids prepare.

The OES Craft Fair and Bazaar opens to the public at the Tonopah Convention Center at 10 a.m. There will be a large selection of crafts, gifts items, homemade food, and more.

The annual Jim Butler Days Parade begins on Main Street at 10 a.m. The parade will have a flyover again this year provided by the members of EAA Sport Aviation Club of Las Vegas.

The theme for this year's parade is "Celebrating Our Mining Heritage," and the king and queen are, very fittingly, Dean and Donna Otteson, owners of Otteson's Turquoise and the Royston Turquoise Mine.

Immediately following the parade, events get under way for the Nevada State Mining Championships at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park.

This year's events will give contestants some added incentive, as the winners of the state championship this year will go on to compete for the World Mining Championship title in Carson City during the Nevada Day celebration.

Admission to watch the events and tour the mining park is free, but there is an entry fee to compete.

For more information, visit the town's Web site at www.tonopahnevada.com.

There will be vendors in the Pocket Park beginning Friday, and there will be something for everyone again this year, including food, toys, and the return of the Hawthorne Patriotic Train for the kids to ride.

Saturday night finds the Karaoke Contest and Dance at the Tonopah Convention Center beginning at 7 p.m.

DJ Bryan Jorgenson will provide the music, Sean and Mona Ryan will tend bar, and admission is just $5 for anyone over the age of 5, with those under 5 getting in for free.

Bring your family and join your friends for what promises to be even more fun this year. Here's your chance to become the next singing sensation in Tonopah.

The CNRA Dirt Track Races will provide a great time for racing enthusiasts Saturday night.

The races usually start around 7 p.m. at the track seven miles east of Tonopah. For more information, visit their Web site at www.tonopahspeedway.com.

The drawing for the winners of the Jim Butler Days 50/50 Raffle will take place at 9 p.m. Saturday evening at the Tonopah Convention Center.

You don't have to be present to win.