Are you ready for this? Nevada Day weekend has arrived and brings with it a downtown filled with friends, neighbors, and fun. Hot air balloons, the annual beard contest, the parade, tours of the Governor’s Mansion, and more make this time of year amazing. The carnival at Mills Park, and the Pow-Wow at the Carson Colony take the festivities to the next level.
SATURDAY: PARADE DAY!
- Nevada Day Classic 8K Run/Walk (same day registration: $40 from 6:30am-7:30am on the second floor of the Carson Nugget Casino; 8am racers begin at Telegraph Square: W. Telegraph and N. Curry Streets; costumes encouraged)
- BAWN Pancake Breakfast Buffet at Red’s Old 395 (6am-10am; $6/$3 kids)
- Carson Lodge #1 Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Lodge: 113 E. Washington St. (6am-11am; $5)
- Republican Women’s Pancake Breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion (7am-9:30am; $6)
Don’t miss out on free admission to the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada Railroad Museum. Nevada’s history awaits.
- Parade Pre-party with Bloody Marys and Mimosas at Remedy’s (7am)
- Bacon Bloody Marys, Breakfast, and more at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (7am; call 775-841-4663 to pre-order)
- Breakfast and Bloodys at the Tap Shack (biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, and more)
- Parade Pre-party with Bloody Marys and more at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (8am)
- Bloody Mary Bar at Alatte in the Carson Nugget (opens at 8am)
- ReMax Balloon Launch at Carson and Stewart Streets near the Carson Mall (8am)
- Free Admission to the Nevada State Museum (8:30am-4:30pm)
- Free Admission to the Nevada State Railroad Museum (9am-4:30pm; McKeen Motorcar Rides $8, $4 kids 10am-4pm)
- Live music by Stan and Jo in the Brewery Arts Center Artisan Store (9am)
- Open House, Breakfast Potluck and Dance at Yaple’s Ballroom (9am; stay to watch the parade; bring a dish to share)
- ’Nevada: One State, Many Cultures’ Parade down Carson Street: Williams Street to the Carson Mall (10am-2pm-ish)
- FamFest: food, arts and crafts, kids activities, music and more in the Parking Lot at 308 N. Curry St. (10am-6pm)
- Pop Up Art Show featuring Jackie Huffman and other artists in the Grand Ballroom of the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
- Complementary Hot Dogs and Chili in the Sierra Room at the Plaza Hotel (during parade until supplies run out)
- Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine at the V and T Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (rides depart hourly 10am-2pm; $19; arrive one hour prior to departure time)
- Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
- Cornish Pasties, Hot Dogs, and Hamburgers at the Elks Lodge: 515 N. Nevada St. (11am-1pm)
- 42nd Annual World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest in the Parking Lot across from Carson Nugget (11am)
Hungry? Thirsty? Just about everyone will be open early to get your parade day started. Bloody Marys and pancakes are Nevada Day traditions. So is the chili feed on the second floor of the Carson Nugget. Say hello to Senator Dean Heller and fill your belly.
- Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival with Pig Races, Hay Slide, Kiddie Land, Straw Maze, Farm Animals and more at Corley Ranch: 859 Highway 395 South, Gardnerville (11am-5pm; $4, additional cost for rides, etc.)
- RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (12pm-9pm; all day wristband $30, discount coupon at RSVP booth)
- Carson and Mills Park Railroad Rides in Mills Park (12pm-6pm; $2 or $5 for 3 rides)
- Carson City Empty Bowls Decorating at the FISH Booth at the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (1pm-5pm)
- Comma Coffee's 15th birthday Quinceañera Party in the Courtyard with music by Mariachi Arrieros de Reno, piñatas, cake, and special guests (1pm; free)
- Annual Chili Feed hosted by Senator Dean Heller in the Carson Nugget Ballroom (12pm-2pm; free)
- Tours of the Governor’s Mansion (2pm-4pm; free)
- 32nd Annual La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow at the Carson Colony Gym: 2900 S. Curry (all day; Horseshoe Contest sign ups 12pm-1:30pm, tournament begins at 2pm, $10 and bring your own partner; Grand Entrance 2pm AND 7pm)
- Capital City Community Band Concert at the Amphitheater in the Legislative Mall (2pm; weather permitting)
- Parade After-party at Crossroads Lounge: 300 E. Winnie Lane (2pm-?; Free chili and cornbread; happy hour prices until 6pm)
- FamFest: Opening Ceremonies – National Anthem and Dedication in the Parking Lot at 308 N. Curry St. (2pm)
Live music can be found downtown at FamFest, in Telegraph Square, the Max Casino, and in Comma Coffee’s Courtyard. The Capital City Community Band will perform after the parade at the amphitheater on the Legislative lawn.
- Live Music with Jackie Dauzat at Max Casino: formerly the Carson Station (2pm)
- Beard Contest at FamFest in the Parking Lot at 308 N. Curry St. (following parade, approximately 2:30pm)
- Telegraph Square Street Party with Live Music by the Trippin King Snakes (3pm-6pm)
- 22nd Annual Trick or Treat Halloween Safety Street at the CVIC Hall in Minden (3pm-8pm; $3 per child)
- FamFest: Live Music with Doubleshot in the Parking Lot at 308 N. Curry St. (3:30pm)
- Carson City BMX: Halloween Spooktacular Races at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex (Signups 5pm-6pm; $10)
- Goblin Parade in Virginia City (5pm, Safe Trick or Treating along C Street to follow)
- Genoa’s Annual Halloween Party, Pot Luck, and Hay Ride at Town Hall, Genoa (5:30pm-9pm; bring side dish and bottle of wine or beer for Parents’ Bar; Main dish and soft drinks provided; music and kids games; open to Genoa area residents)
- Live Music with Acoustic Solution at Bella Fiore Wines (6pm-9pm)
- Cemetery Night Walk at the Silver Terrace Cemetery in Virginia City (6pm-11pm; Halloween is the ONLY time the cemetery is accessible at night)
- Star Party at the Western Nevada College Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave. (6pm-10:30pm; free)
- Live Music with Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher at Glen Eagles Restaurant (6:30pm-10:30pm)
- Haunting of the Opera House Ball with music by Flock of 80z at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City (7pm-10pm; under 21 $20, 21 and over $30; wine and spirit tasting and costume contest; the debut of Virginia City’s signature Spirit: Frey Ranch’s Cemetery Gin)
- Nevada Day Dance Party with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (sundown)
- Live Music with Rebekah Chase at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
- Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (7pm-10pm; $18 per painter)
Carson City celebrates Halloween on Friday this year, but if you head out of the valley there will be trick or treat opportunities. Genoa’s annual hayride and party begins at 5:30 p.m. Virginia City’s Goblin parade begins at 5 p.m. with trick or treating down C Street to follow. Gardnerville, Reno, and Dayton hand out candy tonight as well.
- Live Music with Cosmic Boogaloo at Max Casino: formerly the Carson Station (8pm-12am)
- Rock’n N Bowl’n at Gold Dust West (8pm)
- Halloween Costume Party and ’Scaryoke’ with J and M Productions at Beercade: 1930 N. Carson St. (8pm)
- Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)
- Karaoke at Westside Pour House (9pm)
- Halloween Costume Party with Live Music by Dirty Fingers at Whiskey Tavern: 3481 Hwy 50 East (8pm, music at 9pm; drink specials, costume contest and prizes)
- All Hallows Eve and Nevada Day Party at the Feisty Goat Pub: 1881 E Long St
- Halloween Party at the Blue Bull: 107 E. Telegraph Street (9pm; drink and shot specials; prize for best overall Costume)
- Live DJ and Dancing at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm)
SET CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY
Sunday is the last day of the RSVP Carnival, so get your fill of cotton candy and the Ferris Wheel. Learn more about our local Native American culture at the annual La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow at the Carson Colony. Their grand entrance is at noon. The Carson City Symphony’s Chamber Singers perform at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and admission is only $10. Bring the kids, admission is free for those 16 and younger.
SUNDAY:
- First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
- Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
- CCAI's Industrial Art exhibition at the Carson City Library (10am-5pm)
- Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine at the V and T Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (rides depart hourly 10am-2pm; $19; arrive one hour prior to departure time)
- Bingo fundraiser for CASI at Carson City Senior Center (doors 11am, 12:30pm-4pm; $10, must be 21+)
- 31st Annual La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow in the Carson Colony Gym: 2900 S. Curry (Grand Entrance 12pm)
- Family Day all ages Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (12pm-2:30pm; $15 per painter)
- RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (12pm-8pm)
- Carson City Empty Bowls Decorating at the FISH Booth at the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (1pm-5pm)
- Barony of FalDare, Amtgard Live Action Role Play Group at Mills Park on Seely Loop (1pm-5pm; newcomers welcome, for info email FalDareMonarchy@gmail.com)
- Weekly Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
- Raiders Booster Club at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes (vs the New York Jets 1:05pm; for more info contact Rick Good at 775-267-4271)
- Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
- PoP Up Story time at the Carson City Library (2pm-2:20pm)
- Special Olympics Bowling practice at Gold Dust West (2:30pm to 4:30pm)
- Carson Chamber Singers in Concert at St. Peter's Episcopal Church: 314 N. Division St. (7pm; $10, 16 and under free)
Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.
My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go here for events beyond Monday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information. If you have an event that I have overlooked, feel free to send me an email at ILoveCarsonCityNV@gmail.com.