Elko Euskaldunak Club

The Elko Euskaldunak Club, of Elko (Nevada), organises the National Basque Festival, which every year, around 4 July, brings together thousands of people. It was founded in 1959 at an organising meeting at the Nevada Dinner House, where Johnnie Aguirre was elected its first president. What began as a one-day celebration for sheepherders and ranchers became the National Basque Festival in 1964: that was how the governor of Nevada declared it, to mark the state's centenary. There is dance, music, strength contests and food, and the club also organises the Sheepherders Ball and an annual NABO mus tournament. The Basque Government recognised it in 1997.