Carson City's annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights returns this Friday
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Mon, 11/28/2022 - 8:22am
Event Date:
December 2, 2022 (All day)
Carson City's annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights returns Friday, Dec. 2, with the celebrated tree lighting taking place at 5:30 p.m. on the Nevada State Capitol grounds.
The community is invited to this Carson City family tradition that kicks off the festive holiday season with the state tree lighting, caroling by Carson City School District 5th graders on the capitol steps, plus sleigh rides, hot cocoa and cider, and the charm of Carson City’s downtown illuminated to spread holiday joy.
Go here for the schedule of events.
Today’s Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights was born out of the gas crisis in 1988 that darkened local streets to save energy; it put quite a damper on the holidays.
Local citizens under the direction of Marilyn Lewis wanted to assure residents that, no matter what, some joy could be brought to all by lighting up the downtown. Richard Bryan was the Governor at the time and “Doc” Scrivner was Carson City’s Mayor. But, there’s much more to this story that goes back to 1914.
Funded by Carson City Redevelopment Authority, the Carson City Chamber has had the privilege of organizing this wonderful hometown Christmas event since 2014 after taking over the reins from Maxine and Fred Nietz.
For fifth graders, this special event has become a rite of passage. And, for Santa — well, he tells us this is one of his very favorite events in the whole world.
Again this year, there will be about 500 fifth graders from our elementary schools who will sing the wonderful tunes we all so love and remember from our childhood.
The music teachers begin teaching holiday songs in September since they only see their students once weekly for 45-minutes.
Mark Twain music teacher Christina Bourne has been coordinating the program with fellow music teachers for many years.
“The Silver and Snowflakes event is my favorite concert of the year. Each and every year that we have been able to take part in singing for the tree lighting has been a magical moment for my students,” Bourne said. “My favorite years have been when we have snow fall while we are singing. It just adds to the ambiance of the celebration.”
While the kids are the true stars of the event, Santa and the Grinch will mingle with the kids and pose for photos after the event. Enjoy the hot chocolate and cookies provided by the merchants.
Yes, the holiday season in Carson City is a special time in this special city thanks to the state and city public works crew who spend hours stringing and hanging what seems to be millions of lights.
This is an excerpt from the 2022 Carson City Holiday Guide, available Dec. 2 at the Silver and Snowflakes tree lighting, Homestead Holidays, and throughout the capital city!
