HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT "LMR" was one of the bands providing live music at last year's graduation party in Petrack Park. Advertisement

For the last seven years, Lisa and Bob Holleman have gone to extremes in organizing the extravaganza set up in Petrack Park for the Pahrump Valley High School graduating class.

The party kicks off this year at 10 p.m. June 4 following PVHS graduation ceremonies.

This year's theme is "Medieval Times" and the props will be reminiscent of the hidden depths of "King Arthur's Castle," setting the stage for a night of fun, games, entertainment, food and prizes for the 2009 high school graduates -- all with a medieval flair.

The Hollemans, and their committee, guarantee this to be one special night to remember.

The entire Bob Rudd Community Center and Petrak Park will be converted into an ancient castle -- complete with a dungeon, king's dining hall, stockades, jousting tournaments, and games of all kinds to keep the excitement revved.

A giant water slide, paintball arena, rock climbing wall, giant basketball, and more will be outside in the "Graduates Playground," a part of "Merlin's Lair."

Inside the center rowdy grads will find old time gruel and grog and other delicacies to eat in the "Dungeon."

Thanks go to supporting senior parents who will be providing the "grub."

The medieval merriment will spill into the "Castle Photo Studio," sponsored by Pahrump Party Supply, where the grads will be able to dress in appropriate costumes and get free photos taken in one of the "stockades" or hangin' out in Knight's Pub.

Like any party night in a castle of old, this one will be filled with music and dancing, thanks to premier DJ -- Pahrump's Howling at the Moon DJ -- Jim playing tunes in the castle's inner yard and a couple of local bands keeping it pumping outside in the castle square.

Open to all high school graduates from Pahrump, the event is free to the grads and their dates.

Thanks to donations from over 100 businesses in the community each year, grand prizes of computers, dorm refrigerators, TVs, stereo systems, digital cameras and more are given out to the grads at the end of the night.

Each grad in attendance at the evening's end is awarded grand prize gifts.

Capt. Bill Becht, from the Nye County Sheriff's Office will again volunteer his time to ensure the peace and safety of the grad night cruisers.

The event is designed to provide graduates with a safe, alcohol- and drug-free night to remember and is made possible with a lot of help and planning.

In order to keep all community donations going 100 percent to the grads everything from music to food, chaperones and security is donated.

The event committee operates with no budget or expenses.

Junior class students are asked to help out with the set up, since it is their turn next year, and their parents are asked to help chaperone the night.

Since no senior wants to party with their parents, senior parents are asked to provide food and drinks for the celebrators.

Postage and printing for the 2,000 letters to business and student families, as well as all design and decorations are donated by the Hollemans and Pahrump Party Supply.

Community donations from businesses and individuals are pooled and items are purchased for the grand prizes.

With the slow economy hitting every aspect of life in Pahrump, donations have been difficult to obtain this year, so the committee is asking for any help in making this year the best ever for these grads.

All seniors will be given a list of the sponsors and contact information so they can personally thank their benefactors for the event.

Anyone looking to get involved or help out this year may contact Lisa Holleman at 209-3282, e-mail hollemanranch@aol.com, or stop by Pahrump Party Supply.

King Arthur's Castle will be open for viewing by the general public between 6 and 8 p.m., June 4.

The Pahrump Valley Times wants to know about your event. Tell us if you're having a concert, live music, outdoor movies, parties, art shows etc., and we will help you make it known. For out-of-town venues, please give us two weeks notice.