carnival

Monday’s aren’t always known for fun, but the Fourth of July is a different animal. Carson City, Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, and Reno will have fireworks displays starting around 9:30. Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa aren’t slacking, though. Festivities can be found just about everywhere.

Sunday is the day before Independence Day, but Sparks is getting a jump on the festivities with their Star Spangled Sparks Celebration and fireworks. King’s Beach always celebrates early, so you can catch fireworks at the northeast end of Tahoe, as well. Keep reading: the weekend is in full swing.

SUNDAY:

• Fourth of July Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($38 includes 18 holes and cart)
• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Pat Holub and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

Although other activities and events are happening around town this Independence Day weekend, the centerpiece venue has been Mills Park for the past several years.

Summertime in Carson City is now in full stride, the busiest time of the season traditionally marked by the Fourth of July weekend.

Holy moly. Carson City is hopping with fun times for everyone. Enjoy Saturday downtown with the Third and Curry Farmers Market, the Downtown Business Association Wine Walk, and a free concert at the Brewery Arts Center. Mills Park features the return of the RSVP Carnival with rides, food, booths, games, and more.

The annual Fourth of July celebration at Mills Park kicked off at 5 p.m. Friday with carnival festivities. Rides and games run until around 10 or 11 p.m. tonight, carnival owner Jason Wold said.

Welcome to July, Carson City. How do you want to start out the month? For some laughs, head to Carson Comedy in the Nugget Casino or Improv Night at the Brewery Arts Center. Take the kids to Carson Hot Springs: free admission for those under 18 today. Break a leg, Wild Horse Children’s Theater. Aladdin Jr. opens tonight at the Carson City Community Center. Mills Park is home to a carnival for the long weekend, so grab yourself a funnel cake or a spin on the Ferris Wheel tonight until 10 p.m.

FRIDAY:

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on as well, so grab the kids, friends, and family and have a great Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, July 2:
Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City (Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17)

Summer is moving right along. We are days away from the Fourth of July weekend: fireworks, the Downtown wine walk, a carnival at Mills Park, and Wildhorse Children’s Theater's production of Aladdin, Jr. Weekdays in Carson City aren’t shirking their duties though, as there is plenty to do today. Learn some swing dance moves at El Charro Avita or go for a walk with the Parks and Recreation Department. Singer-songwriter, Canyon White, entertains at Living the Good Life. For those with a skewed sense of humor: Mystery Science Theater 3000 makes an appearance at Galaxy Theater tonight.

Back to back weekends filled with events at Mills Park in Carson City culminates this weekend with the annual RSVP 4th of July Carnival and Celebration, which launches Friday.

This will be the 24th year that RSVP has sponsored the holiday weekend carnival, complete with fireworks on Monday, July 4, plus plenty of rides, music, food booths, arts and crafts vendors and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Last weekend the cyclists ruled our city, but now the hot-rodders are king of the road. The Rockabilly Riot is jam-packed with activities all over town: the races and booths at Mills Park; a street dance at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar; a tattoo show in the Community Center; a free concert at Gold Dust West; and Burlesque at the Nugget. Don’t think that’s all our valley has to offer, though, keep reading for all this weekend’s fun.

SATURDAY:

There’s a riot at Mills Park. Don’t worry, this isn’t the kind of riot you want to avoid: the Rockabilly Riot has roared into town and offers rad cars, drag races, live music, a burlesque show and tattoo expo. Intermingled with the pompadours and pin-up girls are hundreds of law enforcement officers in town to show off their skills at the Annual Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge. Tonight you’ll have to choose where you go for free music: the street dance at Jimmy G’s, Gold Dust West, Westside Pour House, the Fandango, Nugget, or Max Casino.

The Rockabilly Riot roars into town today and it’s bring cool cars, a tattoo expo, music, contests, pin-up girls, and so much more. Check it out at Mills Park and make sure to catch the talented officers competing in this year’s Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge while you’re there. The kids in town are getting a new Teen Center at the Boys and Girls Club: the ribbon cutting is at 10 a.m. You’ll find author Mike White at the Nevada State Museum this evening. His presentation on the best backpacking trips in Nevada and California is part of the Francis Humphrey Lecture Series.

Happy Wednesday, Carson City. A huge shout-out to the Carson City Arts and Culture Coalition: their Focus on Carson Photography Contest has concluded and the winners will be featured on a banner at Telegraph and Curry. The installation goes up at 10:30 a.m. today, and they could use a hand or two. The Wednesday Evening Farmers Market is in full swing and hits Third and Curry at 4 p.m.

Whether you celebrate taco Tuesday, Tahoe Tuesday, or just any day that the sun is shining, enjoy. Dayton kids are in for a treat at the Dayton Library with at reading of 'The Tortoise and the Hare.' The Reno Rodeo is still around, so hit up their carnival and watch the cowboys do their thing. If you can't make it to Reno, Country Line Dance at Carson Lanes will let you get a taste of what you're missing. Tonight, enjoy singer-songwriter Canyon White at Living the Good Life. However you spend today, have a great one, Carson City.

TUESDAY:

The first full moon of June is known as the Strawberry Moon. The fact that it coincides with the summer solstice today is pretty rare indeed: a once in a lifetime occurrence. Enjoy this first day of summer and keep some water handy: things are heating up this week.

Happy Fathers’ Day Carson City. The Reno Rodeo is a great way to spend the day with your progeny. The Pow Wow continues at the Stewart Indian School, and Epic Rides is still downtown. Enjoy an afternoon at the golf course: a free family golf clinic is at Eagle Valley. Head to Heritage Park in Gardnerville for a car show celebrating the Great Race.

SUNDAY:

• Epic Rides– the Inaugural Carson City Off-Road; events in Downtown Carson (Expo 7am-3pm; music at Musser St. Stage 11am-12pm). Go here and here for Sunday's schedule.

Planes, trains, and bicycles are the theme of this Fathers’ Day weekend. Epic Rides has taken over downtown with booths, bikes, beer, music, and more. The Carson City Airport is hosting their annual Fly-in and Open house, complete with hot air balloon rides. World War II aviation buffs won’t want to miss the Wings of Freedom tour at the Minden Airport. Steampunk meets Steam trains at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Keep reading for all of this weekend’s options for fun.

SATURDAY:

It's Friday, Carson City. Epic Rides descends on our valley, and I must say, it is one epic event. Beware that quite a few of our downtown streets will be closed and there will be bikes everywhere. Live music can be found at a stage on Musser Street, the Brewery Arts Center, and most all of our casinos. A huge welcome goes out to those in town for the Annual Pow Wow at Stewart Indian School. Don't forget that Fathers' Day is Sunday: plenty of our local shops have something just perfect for the man in your life.

FRIDAY:

Who doesn't love a Christmas party? Especially a Christmas party in July. Wishes N Angels, a Northern Nevada nonprofit that helps families in need of assistance, will host a Christmas in July fundraiser July 16 at Battle Born Harley-Davidson in Carson City.

The Nevada State Fair continues its last day of entertainment, carnival rides, culture and reenactments with Old West gun and cannon fire demonstrations throughout the day.
The Rendezvous is bringing history to life with Civil War re-enactments, western themed gunfights and horseback cavalry shows. Go here for a story on the Nevada Gunfighters.

The weekend winds down Sunday, but not with a whimper. The Fair has one more day of fun to offer. Take to the track with Carson City BMX at the Livermore Sports Complex. Relax in the shade of the Governor’s Mansion: the Carson City Symphony’s “Pops Party” concert is free to attend and a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Read on for even more happenings.

SUNDAY:

• Party at the Pavilion Car Show with the Freaks of Nature at the Marv Teixeira Pavilion in Mills Park (8am-2pm; awards 12pm)

Let’s go to the Fair, Carson City. Mills Park is hopping with activity: a carnival, car show, exhibits, music, and a return of the Rendezvous. If you have kids, don’t miss this month’s Young Eagle Flights at the Carson Airport, just make sure to sign up by 8 a.m. Start your day at the Third and Curry Farmers Market, and don’t forget to make your artistic mark on a handcrafted bowl for the Empty Bowls event. Read on for all of your weekend options.

SATURDAY:

Bike Month is only a third of the way through, but Bike Week in Carson City is coming to a close. For those taking their bike to work today, Comma Coffee and LA Bakery are offering a cup of joe on your way. Pedal your way to the Max Casino for the Grand Opening of the Black Bear Diner; you’re going to need your strength to get through this day full of fun stuff to do. The Nevada State Fair is in full swing and a street dance at the Pavilion starts at 6 p.m.

Thursday is something to celebrate. The long-awaited Nevada State Fair kicks off in Mills Park with a ribbon cutting by Governor Sandoval. Grab the kids, your friends, and family and enjoy carnival rides, county exhibits, civil war reenactments and much more. Our neighbors to the south are celebrating, too: the 106th Annual Carson Valley Days is this weekend. If you’re looking for something quieter, the lecture on the Civil War at the Gold Hill Hotel or an author’s talk on the Ghost Railroads of Central Nevada at the Nevada State Railroad Museum might be a better bet.

The Nevada State Fair returns to Carson City Thursday, June 9 and will occupy Mills Park until Sunday, June 12. Free to attend, the Fair features live music, carnival rides, a car show, County exhibits, civil war reenactments, and more. Free parking can be found at Carson High School.

Much love to the Mothers in our valley, and those that we love like Mothers. Treat that special lady to a day at the Carson Hot Springs. She gets to ride free with a child at the RSVP Spring Carnival. Travel to Virginia City and back on the historic Virginia and Truckee Steam Train. Brunch, bingo, and BMX racing are just a few of the other things that Sunday has to offer.

SUNDAY: Mother’s Day

I am not even going to attempt guessing what weather we have in store. The west side of the Sierras are notoriously unpredictable. You are much better off betting on the Kentucky Derby; and the Firkin and Fox is just the place to cheer on your favorite horse.

Showers and thunderstorms may develop Friday afternoon around Carson City with the potential for heavier bands of precipitation arriving early Saturday morning, a National Weather Service forecaster said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Zach Colby said the brunt of Friday’s weather will be north of Interstate 80, possibly moving southward into the afternoon and early evening.

Nothing will rain on our parade, Carson City. In addition to the monthly wine walk, the weekend offers a carnival, train rides, the Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day and more. Tonight, Western Nevada Musical Theater Company debuts their spring musical ‘42nd Street.’ Find improv at the Brewery Arts Center or Comedy at the Carson Nugget. Drinking with Clowns hits the stage at Sassafras and Motown is on the menu at Living the Good Life. Food with friends is in order at Silver City’s Community Dinner Night or at A to Zen’s first ‘Fancy Friday’ open mic night.