Contests

To borrow a phrase, it takes a village to raise a fair. The Carson City Fair, returning this year after hiatus in 2016, is no exception.

For the third consecutive year, multi-talented actor and musician Justin Timberlake will join superstar athletes and entertainers at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe this summer. The highly-decorated performer is an avid golfer who plays to a 4-handicap and is renowned in the sport for his philanthropic endeavors.

Farrell Hurt is known among his friends and neighbors for being able to transform any piece of junk into a functioning piece of a hot rod.

Summer? Winter? Flip a coin. I could’ve guessed the rain was coming, my lilacs just started to bloom. Don’t let your parade get rained out though, downtown Carson will march right through this wet stuff. The early Spring Farmers Market debuts today behind Due Sorella at Nevada and Musser Streets. Grab the kids and enjoy today’s open house with free admission at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada. Stick around for the monthly Downtown Business Association wine walk and find something for Mothers’ Day at one of our wonderful local shops.

Smack dab in the middle of April and the town is officially in its Spring thaw. Easter is on Sunday, so just about anywhere you go you’ll find the Bunny and an egg hunt. To make it easy, I’ve moved all of those events to their own everything Easter list HERE.

What a great start to March. A few days on sunshine under our belt and now it’s wine walk weekend. With fingers crossed, the weather should hold out until it’s over, but be prepared for some wind. The Shrine Circus is in Reno, Girl Scout Cookies are on sale, and we inch closer to the longer days and shorter nights of Spring. You’ll find something for everyone this weekend, whether looking for fun with friends, your little ones, or your special someone. Take a look, and have a great weekend Carson City.

SATURDAY:

Organizers of the inaugural Carson City Fair are reaching out to the community for sponsors and donors of the mid-summer event making its debut at Fuji Park in July.

I hope you got your fill of naps last weekend because this weekend is chock full of fun to be had for all. You can Wine Walk until you Holiday Crawl downtown. Take your pick of craft shows in town. Kids won’t want to miss the Santa Train at the State Railroad Museum or one of the two performances of ‘The Peanutcracker’ at the Community Center. Whether you’d like to spend the days indoors or out, there is something for all ages in the Carson City area this weekend.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)

Happy Birthday Nevada. My favorite holiday has arrived, and with it a mountain of fun to be had. Normally my weekend list is sorted by chronological start time, but for this one I will be separating out the downtown parade related activities for your ease. Keep reading and have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Parade Day Fun Stuff in Downtown Carson City:

• BAWN Pancake Breakfast Buffet at Red’s Old 395 (6am-10am; $6/$3 kids)

Even though Carson City is awash with Nevada Day festivities, Halloween is just as important. Here is an updated list of all the reasons to throw on a costume Saturday through Monday in Carson City and the surrounding valleys. Remember, rain is expected on Friday and Sunday, so consider an umbrella if you don’t want your make-up to run!
Adults only parties are in italics.

Let’s do the time warp again! This Friday night, Oct. 28 the BAC and PPI will celebrate the season with a screening of the original cult classic musical “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the BAC Performance Hall. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. with costume contests and activities and the movie will begin at 10 p.m.

It’s that time of year again. The ghosts and ghouls come out of hiding and paint the town orange. Halloween isn’t just one night around here. Combined with the festivities of Nevada Day, you can be sure to enjoy at least a week’s worth of celebrating.

Here is a comprehensive list of fall festivals, Halloween parties, and fun for all. Items in italic are for those 21 and older only.

Saturday, Oct. 22:

Hold onto your broomstick, this weekend is bound to sweep you up in Halloween fun. First you’ll need a pumpkin. The Harvest Train Festival and Pumpkin Patch at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to start. Take the costumed kids to a Trunk or Treat at Advantage Auto Works off Old Hot Springs Road courtesy of the members of Carson Cruise Meet and Greet. Team up with Mark Twain for a ghostly tour of our haunted downtown or you can choose a shorter tour that’s perfect for families. Keep reading, this is just the tip of the candy corn.

SATURDAY:

I’m usually a lover of sunny days, but right now I say bring on the rain. The moisture is a welcome help to our heroic firefighters in Lake Tahoe and Washoe Valley. Because of the wet weather and the recent fires, some activities have been postponed: most notably the Advocates to End Domestic Violence’s Annual Light After Dark Run. There are still plenty of things to occupy your time, but the weather may force more cancellations.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Day Treasure Hunt: today’s clue at http://www.nvdaytreasurehunt.com/

Local youth soccer players will be treated to a special day at Western Nevada College in Carson City this Saturday. WNC’s soccer club is presenting Youth Soccer Day to honor players, families and coaches at its men’s match with Sonoma State at John L. Harvey Field beginning at noon.

The weather cools down just as the fun heats up. Fundraisers, contests, food, football, outhouse races and more. Carson Valley Community Theater has one last performance of ‘The Savannah Sippin Society.’ Pooches in costume are welcome at Genoa’s last Sweet Sippin Sunday: there will be a pet parade at 3 p.m. And for all those brides out there's there's a fall wedding faire at Silver Oak Golf Club. Read on: there is something for everyone.

SUNDAY:

The restoration of the John Jones Governor’s House in Carson City is now complete! This one-of-a-kind house is well known in the West Side Historic District, mainly for its elaborate stick-and-ball architecture, brightly painted color scheme (purple), and two-story playhouse that appears to be straight out of a children’s fairytale.

The kids deserve some fun for surviving their first week back at school, and Carson City delivers. The first annual Northern Nevada Family Fun Day takes over Mills Park with music, a kids zone, activities, food, raffles, and much more. Check out the Bowling Blast Off at Carson Lanes for a Car Show, bowling specials, and fun. Once the sun sets, Washoe Lake State Park offers a basic astronomy lesson and some celestial viewing. Keep reading: there’s something for everyone this weekend.

SATURDAY:

Throughout human history, mankind’s two most loyal four-legged companions have been the dog and the horse.

Dozens of automobiles found a place to shine Saturday afternoon at Carson High School, host of the inaugural "A Place To Shine" show and shine fundraiser.

The weekend has arrived and there are festivals everywhere. A Basque Festival and Picnic can be found in Gardnerville. Bowers Mansion hosts a Bluegrass Festival for the 31st year. Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival returns to King Beach for the weekend. The Annual Jazz and Beyond Music Festival has infiltrated the whole valley with musicians. Check out the Douglas County Junior Rodeo or Carson Valley Ag Day in Gardnerville. Continue on down the list for all of the area’s happenings.

SATURDAY:

Join the Nevada Rural Housing Authority and Carson City Cruise - Meet and Greet at 'A Place To Shine Inaugural Fundraiser Show N Shine' at Carson High School, 1111 S. Saliman Rd. in Carson City. Registration of cars/trucks, motorcycles, and lowrider bikes on the day of show ranges from $20-$30. The event is free for spectators. For the participants with LOW vehicles, the registration entrance does NOT have any dips and/or bumps.

Saturday, August 13, is Senator Saturday at Governor's Field. Come down for a pancake breakfast from 8:30am-9:30am and stay for Senator Saturday 10am-2pm.

There will be activities for everyone: bounces houses, water slides, and even the chance to dunk a coach in the dunk tank. We will also have vendors, player contests, raffle prizes, food trucks, a DJ and more! Admission is only $6.

This event supports the Carson City Pop Warner Program.

Carson City Soroptimist seeks players, tee or green sponsors, and raffle prize donors for its 15th Stroke to Help Golf Tournament. Scheduling conflicts have moved the annual fundraiser a month ahead of its usual date, and at a new venue as well.

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)

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.

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)

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.

Motor officers from around the country return to Carson City this week to train and compete in the 13th annual Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge at Mills Park.

The event runs Thursday through Saturday at Mills Park with Thursday a practice day for the competitors. The big events that bring the most spectators and participants will be on Friday and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature music, vendors, food, demonstrations and contests.