How sweet it is: 102nd Genoa Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Faire returns this weekend

A blast of sweet treats, arts and early fall colors arrive in Douglas County this weekend with the 102nd Genoa Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire.

A tradition that goes back to 1919, the Genoa Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Faire offers more than 300 juried arts and crafts booths, Genoa's famous candy, a renowned dinner and dance, festival food vendors, children's games and family fun that annually draws thousands to the town, also known to be Nevada's first settlement.

Scheduled for the last full weekend in September, the event happens this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26 beginning at 9 a.m. both days. A free shuttle bus is available.

With the large numbers of visitors attending the Faire these days, the three main streets in and out of Genoa are temporarily closed on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shuttles transport people from the main parking lots on Genoa Lane, Foothill Road and the limited parking lot at the Genoa Cemetery to the downtown area.

The Candy Dance itself is held on Saturday night, starting with a no-host bar at 4:30 p.m. followed by the buffet dinner served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Music and dancing start during dinner and end at 10 p.m. Tickets begin selling in early September.

The Genoa "Candy Dance" originated in 1919 as an effort to raise money to purchase street lights for the small, but enterprising community of Genoa, Nevada's first settlement, according to the faire's official Facebook page.

Lillian Virgin Finnegan, daughter of then prominent Judge Daniel Webster Virgin, suggested the idea of a dance and making candy to pass around during the dance as an incentive for a good "turn-out" of couples.

The Genoa community did raise the needed funds for streetlights, but realized the monthly electric bill had to be paid. The candy makers were then called upon each year to help promote the "Candy Dance" and pay a year's worth of electricity for the streetlights throughout the town. This annual event became the "Big Event of the Season."

Couples came from Reno, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville and surrounding areas to join in the evening's fun.

The Arts & Crafts Faire was added in 1974, and later on it became a two-day event. The first Candy Dance Faire was held on the side lawn of the historic Kinsey House with just twelve vendors attending (property situated just east of the Mormon Station State Park on Genoa Lane). Expanding proved necessary and the popular Faire was moved to the Mormon Station Historic State Monument grounds. Today, the Faire exhibitors are also found along the streets and spaces covering a major portion of the downtown area.

Dinner and Dance tickets and information
The Candy Dance, dance itself is Saturday, Sept. 25 in the Genoa Town Park from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m. with dinner service starting at 5:30 p.m. Table space is limited. Dinner tickets sell out fast. The dance and No-Host bar will start at 4:30 p.m. Live music at the dinner-dance featuring Miranda Rae Love.

Tickets may be purchased at the Genoa Town Offices, online here, or by phone 775-782-8696, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner and dance only tickets will also be available at the at the entrance, if room allows. All tickets are non-refundable.

Parking, street closures, shuttle bus information and more
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the upcoming Candy Dance held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Due to the high volume of traffic within the Town of Genoa and surrounding areas DCSO advises to please plan ahead and use extra precautions when traveling.

Extra deputies of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be assigned to several levels of enforcement during the event weekend; however, safety is everyone’s responsibility. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada Highway Patrol will both have a presence.

Road Closures
On Saturday, Sept. 25 all roads leading to Genoa will be closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 26 roads will be closed from 7 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m.

Shuttle Transportation
Shuttle’s will be available for public use at all of the designated parking lots. Masks are required on shuttles. There is no charge to ride the shuttles; donations are accepted.

Vendors will have access to shuttle into their locations Friday, Sept. 24.

Resident Access Pass
The Town would like to advise all recipients of a resident access pass that there is no street parking during the event weekend. County emergency agencies need clear access in Town should the need arise. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling the Town’s back streets and vehicles will be removed in congested areas. This step has allowed for a safe event in the past and DSCO will be enforcing it again this year.

The Resident Access Pass cards are for residents who live within the traffic control area only. To ensure public safety, these passes are not intended to provide residents or guests with a detour around Town.

Important Notice Per East Fork Fire Protection District
The Genoa community area has extreme fire danger this year. The town’s back roads must be kept clear for fire or emergency equipment. Vehicles found parked impeding fire or emergency equipment on the Town back roads will be removed at the owner’s expense. East Fork Fire Protection District and Genoa Volunteer Fire Department ask Genoa residents to help keep our roads clear and vehicles off the back roads.

Go here and here for more information about the Candy Dance.