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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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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.

Giving back to the community and being with the people they love is what is at the root of the Carson Follies, a long-standing community production that is gearing up for its 26th year with "Ocean Commotion" at the Bob Boldrick Theater inside the Carson City Community Center the first weekend in October.

A vehicle pursuit that began Monday evening in Douglas County ended with a crash and foot pursuit near the frontage road area at the junction of I-580 and South Carson Street. The suspect is in custody.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host a “Duck Season Tune-Up” Three Shot Sporting Clays Shoot with pump and semi-automatic shotgun classes.

Heading into this first full week of fall, temperatures around Carson City and surrounding counties will feel like early summer, with daytime highs in mid 80s for the next few days and the low to mid 70s for the Lake Tahoe Basin, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

On the day after Labor Day, the new Ace Hardware at Topsy Lane in Carson City opened its doors for a soft opening and this week, they will celebrate their official grand opening all weekend long.

This High Holiday season, Carson City’s Jewish community will celebrate with a renewed sense of belonging and pride, as Rabbi Levi and Chana Sputz announce the opening of Chabad of Carson City.

UNR Extension Douglas County Fall Harvest Festival September 25 from 5:00-7:00

Join UNR Extension Douglas County this Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park for an evening festival of family fun and autumn celebration.

A 50-year-old man was arrested Saturday for suspicion of two counts suspicion of felony child endangerment, misdemeanor DUI second and other alleged offenses, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

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.

The next Carson City School Board meeting will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Community Center locate at 851 E. William St.

Carson Tahoe Health will host its annual Think Pink event, a night dedicated to raising awareness and supporting the fight against cancer on Oct. 4 at Red’s Old 395 Grill in Carson City.

On Sept. 22 at approximately 8 a.m. Carson City Sheriff's Office dispatch received a call reference an Instagram post. A patrol deputy responded to the reporting party and viewed a “screen shot” of the post saying, “School shooting October 10th Eagle Valley Middle School” with 2 gun emojis following the post. The account had on it, “I like to do shootings every single year” with a gun emoji.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, will be a minimum, early release day for all schools in the Carson City School District. Educators utilize this time for professional learning while students have the remainder of the day off. If you normally pick up your child after school, please be there promptly at the below dismissal times.

Yesterday, a great friend of mine invited me to join the Stanford Club on a five-mile hike to Galena Falls, led by geologist emeritus, Dave. I have always been fond of rocks, ever since I overheard a geologist uncle of mine assure my aunt while pointing to an eight-year-old me, “That boy’s got rocks in his head.”

Event by Comstock Foundation for History and Culture

Documentary artist Valery Lyman spent four years photographing and recording audio in the Bakken oilfields of North Dakota, documenting the rise of the oil industry there and the large American migration that went along with it.
Breaking Ground is a photo-phonic mediation on the tale of dreams, sought and abandoned, that wends its way through the American psyche and landscape.

Join Heather Nicole, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon at Nevada Artists Association Gallery, 449 W. King St, Carson City for an immersive photography workshop. You will learn how to use your camera to create beautiful images of the fall foliage and much more.

Lisa Troseth, practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing and international speaker, will present her talk, “Moving past fear to healing,” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 110 Clear Creek Avenue in Carson City.

A fun ride along the historic Virginia & Truckee Trail is planned for Saturday, Oct. 12. The unsupported fun ride will follow the Historic Virginia & Truckee Trail from Fuji Park in Carson City to City Plaza in Reno. It is 41.3 miles one way.

UPDATE: Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called early Sunday afternoon to a vehicle crash involving a bicycle rider in the 200 block of South Carson Street.

Nevada utility regulators have unanimously denied a request by NV Energy to raise the basic service charge for its Northern Nevada customers by 175 percent, instead on Tuesday awarding the utility just a fraction of its requested amount.

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called late Sunday morning to a crash reportedly involving three vehicles near the intersection of Fifth and Curry streets.

Sierra Nevada Realtors on Wednesday released its August 2024 report on existing home sales in Carson City along with Lyon, Douglas, Washoe, Storey and Churchill counties. The report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

The Carson High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets deepened their understanding of naval operations and the daily sway of Navy life by touring the USS Sterett (DDG 104) in San Diego earlier this month.