Train Ride

When’s the last time you attended a wedding aboard a train? Or has your business ever broken the mold to conduct a rolling meeting? Brides, grooms and meeting planners searching for a memorable venue for upcoming events need look no further than the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The historic train has expanded its unique rental offerings for weddings, corporate events, family reunions and other special occasions.

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Railway Commission in partnership with Rail Events, Inc. through Warner Brothers Consumer Products, Inc. is looking to cast additional actors and actresses for their annual production of “The Polar Express” train ride for the 2017 season.

I’m going to suggest that you keep this weekend’s plans flexible. There’s only a chance of rain, but the chance of it showing up at the wrong time is always high. The very early morning is best spent watching the hot air balloons against the Reno skyline, but you’ll probably want a sweater for the pre-dawn chill. Head up the hill to Virginia City this weekend. If you’ve never been to the annual International Camel Races, you’ve been missing out. Keep reading, there’s something for everyone on this list. Find your fun.

SATURDAY:

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Railway Commission in partnership with Rail Events, Inc. will hold auditions for their annual production of “The Polar Express” train ride for the 2017 season.

You’ll see some pretty interesting vehicles on the road these next few days, as travelers from all over head to Burning Man. If you aren’t off to the Playa yourself, there will be plenty of fun around town to keep you and your family occupied. The second annual Family Fun Day in Mills Park is your best bet for kids of all ages. This week’s free concert at Brewery Arts Center features the Dusty Green Bones. Don’t forget your dancing shoes; they’re sure to keep you on your feet.

SATURDAY:

The valley is alive with the sound of music: the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival, to be specific. Just about everywhere you go, you’ll be treated to something to soothe the soul or get the toes tapping. Get the kids up early for the Young Eagle Flights at the Carson City Airport – they’re free, but you need to be on time for registration. Keep reading and you’ll find a number of ways to enjoy this sunny summer weekend.

SATURDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

• -- Hot August Nights

Climb aboard the Virginia & Truckee steam train as it ventures into the scenic Carson River Canyon for a special dinner and melodrama from 6 to 8 p.m. this Saturday, August 12.

Each year horse racing, a county fair and other traditional events dating back almost 100 years bring together neighbors and visitors alike in the remote town of Ely, Nevada. This year, the festivities planned Aug. 20 and 21 include a solar eclipse train ride on the historic Nevada Northern Railway.

‘We hold these truths to be self-evident…’ With those few powerful words, the Declaration of Independence set a few east coast colonies on a path to becoming ‘the land of the free, and the home of the brave.’ Less than 100 years later, the great ‘Battle Born’ state of Nevada would join the fold. Let us celebrate our great country today with family, friends, and neighbors. You’ll find fireworks displays in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and both the North and South shores of Lake Tahoe.

It may just be the third of July, but our country’s birthday celebrations have already started. You’ll find the annual RSVP Carnival at Mills Park with games, rides, cotton candy, and hours of skateboarding feats of daring-do. It’s an old-fashioned Fourth of July Party at the Senior Center in Dayton, complete with a show-n-shine and yummy bar-be-que. Head up to Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe for the early-bird fireworks show and beach bash.

Let the good times roll. Head over to Mills Park in Carson City for the annual RSVP Carnival and catch some high-flying skate-boarding action. You’ll find the historic Wungnema House open for tours at the very east end of the park. One price gets you unlimited rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and plenty of photo opportunities with their historic steamer. The classic thriller, Jaws, plays on the big screen at the Galaxy Theater, just in case you forgot what might be hiding in the water. Here's what's happening today:

The Nevada State Railroad Museum (NSRM) in South Carson City kicked off weekend Fourth of July festivities with a parade of engines event Saturday morning around the museum complex.

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on, so grab the kids, friends, and family and have a great four-day Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, July 1

The carnival midway is all aglow in lights tonight as the 2017 Nevada State Fair and Rendezvous opened Thursday at Mills Park in Carson City.

The 2017 Nevada State Fair returns this week to Carson City bringing four days of fun, entertainment, carnival rides, culture, music and more to Mills Park.

Hold on to your hat, the weekend is here. If it’s a cowboy hat, head over to Genoa for their annual Cowboy Festival. Plenty of free things to see, hear, and experience await. The annual Spring Earth Spirit Faire lets you celebrate Mother Earth with workshops, holistic practitioners, great vendors, and a raffle. It benefits the Heart to Heart School and Advocates to End Domestic Violence so it’s always worth checking out. You’ll have to keep reading for all of your choices, the spring thaw brings out the best this valley has to offer.

SATURDAY:

The Nevada State Railroad Museum and the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, have added an additional Santa Train ride for children in our community who are battling cancer on Dec. 17 in Carson City.

For the sixth consecutive year, The Polar Express holiday train rides on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad have sold out. More than 15,000 passengers secured rides on the only train in Northern Nevada that visits the North Pole.

With Thanksgiving just one week away, it’s hard not to get excited: food, friends, family, and a long weekend. In the meantime, stay busy with something fun to do right here in our valley. Natalie Blaver invites you to sing along with karaoke at Living the Good Life. It’s adults only for ‘round the world’ trivia night at the Carson Library with Geeks Who Drink Trivia. The colorful Nevada character, Alexander Parker Crittenden, is subject of tonight’s lecture at the Nevada State Museum. All aboard the Polar Express.

Recognized as one of a handful of the most haunted towns in the U.S., Virginia City rattles the chains, cages, ballroom floor and railroad tracks for the rest of the month as part of its “Hauntober” celebration, offering up ghostly adventures culminating Oct. 31, Nevada Day and Halloween.

A month from its inaugural ride, The Polar Express is on its way to selling out with over 50 percent of tickets sold for the 2016 season. Secure tickets now to ensure children have a chance to experience holiday magic firsthand with rides scheduled Nov. 17 – Dec. 23 on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Children of all ages are welcome on a special train ride from Ely, Nev. to the North Pole on the Nevada Northern Railway's Polar Express this Christmas season. Hot chocolate and cookies are served while listening to the Polar Express story and music from the Polar Express soundtrack.

This entertaining holiday experience has been voted as the “Best Special Event in Rural Nevada” by readers of Nevada Magazine three years in a row.

Restless spirits of the old west haunt the Nevada Northern Railway on the weekly Haunted Ghost Train. Every Saturday in October, this fun train ride with ghost stories, track-side vignettes and spooky spirits is a fun outing for the whole family. Passengers are encouraged to dress in costumes.

Go to www.nnry.com to find out more or to purchase tickets – reservations are suggested as most Haunted Ghost Train rides sell out, and go to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum’s YouTube page to get a sneak peek at the Haunted Ghost Train.

Tickets for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s wildly popular holiday adventure to the North Pole via The Polar Express train will go on sale starting Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 a.m.

High stakes Wild West melodrama and action-packed adventure are on the menu Saturday, Aug. 13, Saturday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 8 as passengers board V&T Railroad “Train to Danger” dinner tour. Directed by Carla Wilson and written by John Burkhart, “Train to Danger” tells the story of railroad heiresses, the Pullman sisters, as they are stranded in a snowstorm in Hidden Gulch.

The weather may be cooler, but the chili is hot. Head to Glen Eagles for the final day of the Chili competition. Enjoy a picnic and a free concert in Genoa: the Sagebrush Rebellion performs at 5 p.m. If you’re dreaming of snow, then the lecture on legendary Tahoe winters might just get you through the day.

SUNDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Pat Holub and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

Compared to the last few weekends, Carson City is downright sleepy. That just makes it much easier to get around town and explore. Head to Mills Park for the First Annual Polynesian Festival in the Marv Teixeira Pavillion. Glen Eagles welcomes back the Regional Chili Cook-off this weekend; get your fill of some amazing grub and help raise funds for Honor Flight Nevada. Catch one of last few performances of Wild Horse Children’s Theater’s Aladdin, Jr. Continue reading for other great ways to spend your time.

SATURDAY:

Kyle Horvath, Director of Marketing for Carson City, fills us in on experiencing the area by train on the historic V&T Railroad with Candy Duncan, program manager for V&T.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is running full steam ahead this summer with more reasons to explore the Silver State’s ultimate Old West steam train ride through historic Comstock country with new railroad adventures designed for Nevada residents and young train enthusiasts.