Chris Walker Vs. A Great Place To Die

All photos by Chris Walker.

Elko, Nevada. Quite the anomaly. While it seems like a great place to go and die, it’s filled with children. Hundreds of them. Most belonging to redneck families. But it’s also jam-packed with some of the oldest, on the verge of death, people I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t wrap my head around it, and in a moment of drunken clarity I wondered, is Elko where all life begins and ends?

My good friend Brian spent many of his formative years in Elko. He’s also a lover of Basque food, culture, and women. Because of these factors, every Fourth of July weekend Brian makes the trek to Elko for their annual Basque Festival. I opted to go with him this year.

There was mayhem. And debauchery. There were also chorizo, Basque games (including: tug-of-war, metal object lifting and wood-chopping), fireworks, chorizo, Basque songs (my favorite: “Lili bat ikhusi dut (MSTRKRFT Remix)”), deep-fried chorizo (the highlight of the trip), and a parade. Well, as you can see in the pictures above, I wouldn’t call it a parade as much as a stream of miscellaneous vehicles, a lot of them fire engines, blaring loud horrible noises. Especially for those of us with hangovers. (And yes, you saw correctly, the “parade” ends with a sweeper truck kicking up dirt at onlookers.)

On egin!


Posted: July 8th, 2008 | Author: Chris Walker | Filed under: Great Places To Die | Tags: | No Comments »

No Comments on “Chris Walker Vs. A Great Place To Die”

  1. 1 tara said at 8:01 am on July 9th, 2008:

    I was kinda wondering why you decided to spend the 4th in Elko, as I have spent many boring-life-sucking weekends there. As I read your blog about your visit-I have realized I have missed out on deep fired chorizo. I am sad.

  2. 2 wilddreemer said at 1:35 pm on July 9th, 2008:

    The Star Hotel has some pretty great Basque food. I’m actually half Basque which is why Chorizo is one of the only meats I will still eat…but only if its crammed in a big hunk of bread. I’m embarrassed to say I used to be a Basque dancer when I was little…so silly. Elko is a blast though after a few picon punch’s. hawaii’s christmas parade is the same as elkos 4th of july parade.

  3. 3 Michonne said at 9:35 am on August 12th, 2008:

    THIS was entertaining to read. :) Yes, Elko is where life both ends and begins. Glad you were able to experience it in all it’s wonderment.

    Hope all is well! :)

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