Grounds crew busy stringing lights for Silver Snowflakes Festival in downtown Carson City
November and December are busy times for Phil Nemanic, Kody Munns and those enlisted to prepare the Nevada State capitol grounds for the beloved annual downtown Carson City holiday season kick off with the Silver Snowflakes Festival.
No matter the weather, Nemanic and his crew can be found stringing the thousands of lights on all the trees in front of the capitol with special attention to the most beloved tree of all — the designated state capital tree.
Though this tree might not be the size — yet — of the one in Rockefeller Center, it’s still quite impressive and will receive lots of love and attention Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 when this tree is lit along with all the deciduous trees on the property.
Those lights will keep the fir tree warm until after the New Year while providing shelter for birds and other small animals.
Festivities in downtown begin at 5:30 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. The event features Carson City Fifth grade choir, visit from Santa and the Grinch, electric carriage rides, caroling, refreshments and more.
On this cloudy with rain imminent Saturday, Nov. 18, Nemanic and Munns from State Buildings and Grounds enlisted the help of ten Trustees from the Department of Corrections to put up thousands of bulbs.
If you look closely at the photo of the guys on the lifts trimming the special Christmas tree, you may even spy Santa Claus — or so we think. Santa — or so we think — even enjoyed the Costco pizza treat brought in by the Chamber for their lunch break. Even a busy Santa, or so we hear, is so excited about the tree lighting festival, he left his toy shop to assist!
When talking to the Trustees, all were happy to be assisting even on a rainy day. Nemanic and Munns are scrambling to have everything ready for the 35th Annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights coordinated by the Carson City Chamber.
Tentative Schedule of Events
Friday Dec. 1, 2023
4:30 to 5:30 pm — Free Electric Sleigh Rides
5:30 to 6:15 pm — Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State Capitol Grounds
Welcome Remarks — Ronni Hannaman — Moderator
Gov. Joe Lombardo
Assemblyman PK O’Neill
Mayor Lori Bagwell
5:30 pm — Carson City 5th Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble
6:00 pm — State Tree Lighting; all of Carson Street is lit up
6:15 to 7:15 pm — Festivities Continue in the Downtown
Free Electric Sleigh Rides
Photo Ops with Santa & Grinch
Hot Cocoa — Holiday with a Hero Fundraiser
Two locations: City Hall & McFadden Plaza
CCSO Car 54 and Warren Engine Company Fire Engine on display
Caroling at the McFadden Plaza Stage:
6:15 to 6:45 Carson High School Choir
6:45 to 7:15 — Carson City Symphony Youth Chorus & Chamber Singers
7:15 to 7:45 — Sierra Lutheran High School Choir
8 pm — Carson Street reopens
— Ronni Hannaman is the Executive Director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.