Austin, Nevada
June 13, 2009
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The citizens of Austin NV, invite you to join their 24th Annual Gridley Days Celebration. A favorite event of the celebration is the Sack of Flour Race, a foot race carrying a 10 lb sack on your shoulder down main street from the Gridley store to the International cafe. This re-enactment of the famous feat by Reuel C. Gridley, a leading citizen in Austin. He was the owner of the Gridley Store, who lost a bet over the election in 1864 and had to carry a 50 lb bag of flour fully decorated with the banners and ribbons up the main street to the tune of "John Brown's Body". The sack of flour was returned to the center of town and after much jubilation and refreshments, was auctioned many times over raising over $6,000 which was donated to the Sanitary Commission, the forerunner of the Red Cross. Other towns in the area, hearing of this, challenged Austin and the Flour Sack was sold many times all over the country raising over $275,000 for the Sanitary Commission for their work in the Civil War efforts. Every year the Flour Sack Race is re-enacted down main street.
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Phone Number: 775-964-2200
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Organization: Austin Chamber of Commerce
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