Things to do on Independence Day

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. Please be safe today; traffic after the fireworks is always heavy.

MONDAY: Independence Day

• Fourth of July Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($38 includes 18 holes and cart)
• Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert in the Park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra at Heritage Park, Gardnerville (register 7am-7:45am, Run/Walk begins 8am; 5K $20 per person and family rates, free for active/retired military; Patriotic costumes encouraged; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast $7; Free Kids Obstacle Course 8am; Free Concert begins 11:30am)
• Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of Trains 9am-10am; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17)

Genoa’s Americana Festival features a day full of music and more. Come hungry, the Volunteer Fire Department is serving up their famous chicken bar-be-que.

• Genoa Americana Festival: Live Music including a performance from the Carson City Symphony Orchestra, Music workshops, Kids Activities, and more at Mormon Station Park, Genoa (10am-6pm, free; Kids Parade 11am; Kids Water Games 1pm-4pm; Genoa Volunteer Fire Department Chicken BBQ 12pm-6pm at the Fire Dept., $12)
• 5th Annual Fourth of July Festival: Music, Kid’s Bike Parade, Free Food and more in Minden Park, Downtown Minden (10am- 1pm, free)
• Mimosa Monday all day at Ed’s Doghouse
• Carson Valley Pops Orchestra Concert at Heritage Park, Gardnerville (11:30am; free)

Dress up in your red, white, and blue best and participate in the annual Freedom 5K in Gardnerville. Stick around for a free concert in the park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra.

• Fourth of July on the Comstock, Virginia City (Parade 12pm; Comstock Cowboys 2nd Amendment Concert in the Delta Parking Lot 6pm-9pm, raffle at 7pm; Fireworks Spectacular launched from Virginia City Arena/Fairgrounds, visible throughout town)
• RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival open 12pm-11pm, Live music with Jake Armer and the Hot Dogs 4pm-8pm, Wild 102.9FM live broadcast beginning at 6pm and continues as the choreographed fireworks soundtrack; Fireworks approx. 9:30pm)
• Funky Beach Bash and Fireworks at Commons Beach in Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe (12pm-10pm, free; live music, contests, and more; Fireworks at 9:30pm)
• South Tahoe Red, White and Blue Independence Day Party hosted by Dreu Murin at Beach Retreat and Lodge: 3441 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (12pm-11pm, free; Live DJs and giveaways; Fireworks soundtrack on KRLT-FM 93.9 or KOWL-AM 1490)
• Biggest Little City Wing Fest, Downtown Reno (12pm-6pm)

Just a reminder that fireworks are prohibited in Northern Nevada. Under no circumstances risk a wildfire with your bottle rockets or firecrackers. Please keep an eye out for escaped pooches after dark; this is a big day for lost, scared dogs.

• ARTOWN: Celebrate America and the Reno Philharmonic in Wingfield Park, Downtown Reno (5pm, Philharmonic 7:30pm; Fireworks at dusk; free; Bring your blankets, chairs and picnic baskets)
• Independence Day Celebration: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Reno Aces at Greater NV Field, Downtown Reno (opening pitch 6:35pm; fireworks at dusk)
• Lights on the Lake Fourth of July Fireworks (approx. 9:45pm; best viewing at Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Tallac Historic Site/Baldwin Beach, Edgewood Tahoe, Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach; Tune your radio to KRLT-FM 93.9 or KOWL-AM 1490 for a synchronized music broadcast)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go HERE events beyond Sunday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information. As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.