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Family-friendly events this week in Carson City include NASA astronaut talk, Oktoberfest, Toddler Time, art classes and more

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Oct 06 2024 .
September 30, 2024 (All day)
October 1, 2024 (All day)
October 2, 2024 (All day)
October 3, 2024 (All day)
October 4, 2024 (All day)
October 5, 2024 (All day)
October 6, 2024 (All day)

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.

  • Multiple Days

Youth groups sought for 2024 Polar Express train via V&T Railroad

The Virginia & Truckee Railway is recruiting enthusiastic young elves for the 2024 season of The Polar Express Train Ride and wants youth groups in the community to be a part of the holiday magic.

Get Ready to Oompah: Oktoberfest returns to Casino Fandango in Carson City Oct. 5-6

Get ready for another unforgettable weekend of brews, brats, and Bavarian fun at Casino Fandango in Carson City. The annual Oktoberfest celebration returns for its 10th year, bringing the spirit of Germany to Carson City with free admission for all. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Casino Fandango parking lot.

Teen Hours in the Digitorium

Come visit the Carson City Library and hang out in a space designed with teens in mind! Monday through Friday 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. All teens welcome!

Edwards Motor Car rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum

Come down Saturdays and Sundays and take a ride on the historic Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend No. 401 Edwards Motor Car. Built in 1926 by the Edwards Motor Car Company, the 401 hauled passengers between Ajo and Gila Bend, Arizona, from 1926 until 1947. Rides occur approximately every 40 minutes from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Fares are $8 ages 12 and over; $4 ages 4-11 and museum members; and FREE ages 3 and under.

  • Monday, Sept. 30

September is Library Card Signup Month at the Carson City Library

The month of September is Library Card Sign Up Month. New patrons who sign up for a card starting now until September 30th get to choose a free book to keep from our book corral. All library cardholders can participate in library card bingo for a prize. Pick up and return your completed bingo boards to the info desk before the end of the month.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 1

Flavors of India hosts community fun night

Exhibition Opening of Nevada Forestry at Nevada State Library and Archives

Join us for the opening of the Nevada Forestry Exhibit at the Nevada State Archives. The exhibit will be on display from October 1 - December 31, 2024.

Recurring:
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School

Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.

Toddler Time at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 2

Dads and Daughters Night at Shears & Gears

Another dads and daughters night. Learn to do kiddos hair and leave with a goodie bag.

Recurring:

Creating with Polymer Clay: Mini Donuts at the BAC

Come learn how to sculpt various miniatures and figures with polymer clay in this beginner-friendly class with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff! Every class session is a different item and requests can be made in advance.

Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes for Teens every Wednesday

Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes will provide instruction in drawing, sketching, and painting with watercolors and acrylics 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm every Wednesday.

Board Game Night at 3 Arrows Games

Join the Minden Board Game group and others for a weekly meet up of table top fun. Bring a game to share or jump in with others to learn something new for a night of fun. Everyone is welcome!

Open Play at Messy Kids Art School

Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.

Grown Up and Guppies at the Carson City Aquatic Center

Head over to the Carson City Aquatics Center every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for Grown ups and Guppies. Making the water fun for your guppy is the most important step in preparing for swim lessons. This class is designed to acquaint adult and child wild play activities and to teach very basic fundamental skills. The course is parent-driven, under the supervision of an instructor. No registration required. Class is limited to 12 adult/child pairs on a first-come first served basis. For ages 6 months to 4 years.

Storytime Wednesdays at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Join in for weekly storytime with an accompanying craft each Wednesday. Recommended for children ages 1 - 6. All included with museum admission.

Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 - 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.

Lego Club at the Carson City Library

For elementary school aged children. Build self-led creations through hands-on learning with Lego education materials. No registration is required. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bedtime Bears Storytime at the Carson City Library

For kids of all ages: Join us every Wednesday night for stories, songs and crafts designed to help kids wind down at the end of the day. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Learn to Sketch

In this class you’ll learn about problem-solving through art, as well as how to draw with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff. Whether you can sketch a stick figure or a portrait, this class is for you! All skill levels are welcome. Every class is different and designed to strive for accessibility.

Carson City Dungeon Crawlers

Join the Carson City High School Dungeon & Dragons group every other Wednesday at 2:30PM in the Teen Zone. Learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons and participate in fun campaigns! No registration required.

  • Thursday, Oct. 3

NASA Astronaut José Hernández to inspire Carson City students, celebrate potential

The Carson City School District Multilingual Learner Vision Team invites students and families to “Aim for the Stars” with an evening of inspiration as former NASA Astronaut and Engineer José Hernández shares his extraordinary journey that lead him to reach the highest heights.

Recurring:

Open Play at Messy Kids Art School

Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.

Big Kid Butterflies Storytime at the Carson City Library

For children ages 1 to 5; join for weekly stories, songs and crafts. No registration is required. 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Open STEM Lab Thursdays at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

The STEM Classroom is open every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. for funny educational, weekly activities. All included with museum admission. All ages welcome.

Fingerboarding Club at the Carson City Library

Enjoy doing tricks and having fun with miniature skateboards. A table will be set up with a skatepark for an hour of fnigerboarding. Fingerboards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Open to patrons 14 and up. No registration required. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Friday, Oct. 4

Chowder for Charity at Tee Jay's Corner Cafe in Carson City returns Oct. 4

Tee Jay's Corner Cafe inside Cactus Jack's in Carson City will be hosting its 3rd annual "Chowder for Charity" on behalf of FISH, Friday Oct. 4 from opening 10 a.m. to closing at 8 p.m.

Recurring:

Toddler Time at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.

Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 - 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.

Open Mic Night at the Zen Den Stage

Every Friday at 6 p.m. head down A to Zen for their Open Mic Night which incudes music, comedy, poetry, magic; you name it! All ages and skill levels welcome!

  • Saturday, Oct. 5

Messy Kids Magical Celebration

Calling and Wizards and Witches! We are hosting our second annual Messy Kids Magical Celebration, aka “Harry Potter Party!” Attendees will enjoy Wand Crafting, Flying Key Creating, Potions Mixing and more.

Recurring:

Carson City Ghost Walk this Saturday

Carson City’s rich and intriguing history officially celebrates 31 years as we explore, narrate and theatrically embrace Carson City’s beautiful Victorian westside in these seasonal evening walking tours, led by Madame Curry (a spirited and historically fictional character named after the widow of Carson City’s founder, Abe Curry) some special guests and her Spirit Wranglers. These ghostly and witty community spirits lead you through Carson City's Historically Haunted West Side highlighting the stories and legends of the Wild West town. This season Madame Curry will share her Penny Dreadful’s on each tour.

Chess Club for all ages at the Carson City Library

Stop by and play chess, or learn to play chess, at the Carson City Library every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.

  • Sunday, Oct. 6

Every Sunday in October: Nevada Day Exhibit hosted at Carson City Historical Society

The public is invited to see the Carson City Historical Society's exhibit on the history of Nevada Day. The exhibit is in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts House Museum, located at 1207 North Carson Street, every Sunday in October (Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for viewing a Historic Nevada Day exhibit.

Recurring:

Minden Board Game Group - Carson Branch

Carson City Library in the Digitorium Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome, no registration required!

Did we miss any? Send any family-friendly event information to kelsey@carsonnow.org, or comment below!

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Tee Jay’s Corner Cafe, chowder for charity

Tee Jay's Corner Cafe inside Cactus Jack's in Carson City will be hosting its 3rd annual "Chowder for Charity" on behalf of FISH, Friday Oct. 4 from opening 10 a.m. to closing at 8 p.m.

Veterans Day Fun Run Sponsorship

Carson High School Safe Grad Committee is busy planning our twelfth annual Fun Run. This year we are starting a new tradition of holding our 5k event on Veterans Day to honor all who have served.

It is the primary fundraiser for Carson High Safe Grad Celebration, an annual Carson City tradition established in 1988.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will begin removing specialized mats, called bottom barriers, from Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes in early October, the agencies said today. They have been working together since 2021 to remove a 17-acre infestation of aquatic invasive plants in the marsh in the Southwest portion of the Tahoe Basin.

Public schools statewide are making progress toward lowering chronic student absenteeism and improving student achievement, according to data from the 2023-24 school year released Monday by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE).

Meet a very special pair of sisters: Abby and Diva.

Abby and Diva are a very sweet and social bonded pair of short-haired tortoiseshell girls seeking a forever home together.

Cole Eisenhour Mural

The first day of Carson City's Murals and Music Festival 2024 is bursting with color around town. The Festival, presented by Brewery Arts Center, continues through Saturday.

In what is becoming a repeated occurrence, a teenager has been arrested for making threats relating to a school shooting, one of several in the past few weeks since this school year began.

In a region known for its rich history and tight-knit community, one woman stands out as a true icon of leadership, grace, and boundless energy. Kitty McKay, co-owner of the award-winning Nashville Social Club (NSC) and The Swan Music Hall, Carson City’s premier live music venue, is more than just a familiar face around town—she's a force to be reckoned with.

Carson City residents now is your chance to help shape Centennial Park's future. The Centennial Park Master Plan Survey is open, and your input can directly influence improvements and future projects, including the potential for the Carson City Bike Park.

The Misfits Theater Group Presents: The Inshtein Inn or Frank's Mad Pad! Join us at the Odeon Hall in Dayton, NV located at 65 Pike St, Dayton, NV for some pretty mad happenings.

The 2024 Genoa Candy Dance takes place September 28 and 29. This two-day event, which boasts over 400 arts and crafts, activity, and food vendors, plus a Saturday night Dinner Dance, draws thousands of people to Genoa.

Meet Shyloh, the charming canine who brings a sense of adventure and warmth to everyone he meets. Known for his love of the outdoors, Shyloh thrives on exploring new scents and sights. He’s the perfect companion for those who love nature walks or long hikes.

Celebrate the Halloween season on the Virginia Truckee Railroad. The entire family will enjoy this spirited collection of themed train rides where passengers will board at the historic F St 1870’s Depot in Virginia City and journey to the Gold Hill Depot Pumpkin Patch. They are then able to get off the train and choose their favorite pumpkin with the assistance of our helpers.

During the Carson City School Board meeting of trustees held Tuesday night, a public commenter brought forth an issue that had occurred earlier this week at Eagle Valley Middle School.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office Investigation Division is asking for the public's help identifying the suspect or suspects involved in an attempted Sept. 11 break-in and damage to a truck in the 2700 block of Northgate in Carson City.

This Saturday, Sept. 28, Carson City will host its third annual 5K Walk/Run to Remember benefit for the Northern Nevada Alzheimer's Association.

In addition to the race, there will be food trucks, live music, vendors and more.

CARSON CITY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week released the 2023 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps. The maps show Nevada’s adult obesity prevalence for 2023 is 30.8 percent, a decrease from 2022 (33.5 percent) and 2021 (31.3 percent) but still higher than all reported rates from 2011-2020.

It takes a village, or in the case of Lake Tahoe, it takes "Team Tahoe" to get the funding needed to protect the Jewel of the Sierra. On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives reauthorized the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act.

Area lawmakers and a partnership of Lake Tahoe agencies all applauded the passage of what is known as the cornerstone of federal investment in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, one of the most comprehensive and successful conservation programs in the nation.

This Saturday, Sept. 28, Nevada State Parks invites everyone to celebrate National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event dedicated to public lands. This annual event offers an opportunity to give back to the cherished lands we all enjoy while raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting these spaces for future generations.

A 63-year-old woman was arrested Monday for suspicion of misdemeanor DUI second offense, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Flowers, bees, information on pollinators

Want to learn which perennial flowers are best for pollinators? Want to show your kids how bees pollinate flowers, or how to make a Seed Bomb to make your garden explode with color next year?

Students are now several weeks into the school year at Carson High School, with the newest rule firmly in place: a complete ban of phones both inside and outside the classroom during school hours.

The introduction of the Yondr pouch was a controversial one, with some students and parents protesting the idea. However, since its implementation, administration, teachers, and surprisingly the students who Carson Now spoke with have agreed the new policy has been extremely positive.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, along with the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Care, are saddened to inform the public that the Davis Bear’s condition worsened substantially since Friday, Sept. 20. Thus, it was determined by Animal Ark’s veterinarian, Dr. Lesli Spears and NDOWs Wildlife Health Specialist, Dr. Nate LaHue, that it was in the animal’s best interest to be euthanized.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI Nevada is the state organization providing support and guidance for the NAMI Nevada affiliates throughout the state, including Southern Nevada, Reno, and Western Nevada.

At Friends in Service Helping, also known as FISH, the mission is clear: to provide essential services to those in need by providing a hand up, not a handout.

Vital to this mission are the three food banks operated by FISH throughout Northern Nevada aimed at supporting community members struggling with food insecurity.

UPDATE: A map is now available highlighting the mural sites located for the second annual Carson City Murals and Music Festival. Click on map twice for full size or see the PDF below.
Carts filled with plants from the Washoe State Tree Nursery.

As fall begins, the Washoe State Tree Nursery will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 9:30 a.m. Located at 885 Eastlake Boulevard in New Washoe City, this nursery is operated by the Nevada Division of Forestry and offers native and adapted plants for landscaping and conservation.

The Carson City School District Multilingual Learner Vision Team invites students and families to “Aim for the Stars” with an evening of inspiration as former NASA Astronaut and Engineer José Hernández shares his extraordinary journey that lead him to reach the highest heights.

Do you live in Carson City or the surrounding area? Do you have a loved one you care for that has Alzheimer's or another form of dementia? If yes, let us support you through your challenging and new situation. We are here to help you.

It was another great Pooch Plunge! CASI would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mike Freeman and the staff at the Carson City Aquatics Center for opening the pool to our furry friends, and Joanne Dietrich of Artistic Fence for once again providing the fencing to help make check-in safe and easy.