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Fourth of July events lined up in Carson City, Virginia City, Douglas and Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Tue Jul 05 2022 .
July 1, 2022 (All day)
July 2, 2022 (All day)
July 3, 2022 (All day)
July 4, 2022 (All day)
July 5, 2022 (All day)

Hello Carson City! Are you looking forward to the upcoming long weekend? So are we! Check out the events happening throughout the weekend leading up to Independence Day on Monday which includes fireworks, parties, music, trains, and much more.

As always, it is important to note that all unauthorized fireworks are illegal in Nevada and using them could result in prosecution or worse, a massive wildfire. Please enjoy the designated fireworks shows that are happening safely throughout the region.

UPDATE: A July 4 parade that had been planned for Dayton has been canceled due to a death in the family of the main organizer.

All Weekend Long

The Great Western Steam Up, a four-day Fourth of July celebration happening this Friday through Monday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City will not only give families a look back in history, but an opportunity to immerse themselves in it. The event celebrates the 150th anniversary of the completion of the rail line that connected Virginia City and San Francisco for passenger service via the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. It includes an unprecedented “reunion” of V&T locomotives from the heyday of the railroad – nicknamed the Queen of the Short Lines.

The Great Western Steam Up includes an exciting pageant of steam locomotion engines, train rides, food, live entertainment, “lost art” demonstrations, food trucks and children’s activities. Events happen daily, Friday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nevada Railroad Museum, 2180 S Carson St., Carson City. Go here for tickets.

Saturday

Carson Mall to host July 2 Fun Festival, hot dog eating contest, bounce house and more

Carson Mall will be hosting their July 2 Fun Festival with their annual Hot Dog Eating contest. Make sure to bring the kids and enjoy a carnival-themed day!

Local musician Kingwhistler celebrates 10th anniversary with July 2 show.

Carson City Wine Walk happening July 2

Sunday

Silver Palooza Music and Art Festival

Silver City Arts and the Silver City Preservation Society present the Silver Palooza Music and Art Festival. Join us on the Comstock at the Silver City Park for a day of live music, interactive art, exhibitions, lawn games, a cake walk, food, drink and fun!

Independence Day

— The Sons of the American Revolution Battle Born Patriots Chapter will host a July 4 celebration at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City on Monday, highlighted by the ringing of a replica Liberty Bell to honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence and 246 Years of American freedom.

All are encouraged to join the Sons of the American Revolution at their patriotic ceremony, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the ringing of the Liberty Bell. The free event is Monday, July 4th, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Carson Street courtyard at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., Carson City.

— Carson City fireworks will take place as usual at Mills Park, located at 1111 E. William Street in Carson City, hosted by RSVP. There is not a carnival this year. Instead the event features a stunning display of Fireworks on July 4th at sundown and new VIP Pavilion Experience, live music from The Grimtones, and great food! The Grimtones are a two piece rock n roll band from Reno, featuring Michelle Belle (guitar, keys, vocals), and Carter Stellon (drums, ukelele, harmonica, vocals). The celebration runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks after sundown.

The fireworks event is free, but always looking for sponsors with a number of sponsorship packages.

Carson City Sheriff's Office urges motorists to follow traffic signs and to watch for pedestrians, especially along William and Saliman streets. There will be sign and advisory boards along the roadways.

  • Virginia City

Each year, Virginia City hosts a number of Fourth of July events, including Fourth of July on the Comstock and the Fourth of July Parade. In addition, numerous businesses and non-profits are hosting viewing events for the fireworks. For more information.

— Enjoy live music by Milton Merlos, appetizers and cocktails, art gallery exhibitions, silent auctions, and one of the most spectacular views of the Virginia City fireworks show from a stunning 1876 historic former hospital. This is a relaxing, limited seating event for maximum enjoyment away from the crowds. Tickets include free on-site parking.

Date: July 4th, 2022, 7pm – 10pm
Price: $35 - $100 - Tickets available on Eventbrite
Location: 55 North R Street, Virginia City, NV
Questions: Arika Perry, Executive Director: 561.339.4554 or aperry@stmarysartcenter.org

St. Mary’s Art Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to arts and culture. Funding is provided in part by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency.

  • Lake Tahoe, Truckee

Incline Village, Crystal Bay 'Fireworks' Spectacular

Formerly Red, White & Tahoe Blue, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Fireworks Spectacular will be hosting an inaugural "drone skyshow" in place of traditional fireworks, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Incline Village Middle School Ball Field.

The Truckee 4th of July Parade will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. along Donner Pass Rd. near Truckee High School, located at 11725 Donner Pass Rd. Free to spectators and fun for the whole family.

South Lake Tahoe
The nationally recognized “Lights on the Lake” entails 20 minutes of bright lights and colors that illuminate the night sky to celebrate Independence Day by pairing sounds of American classics and today’s top hits to perfectly executed pyrotechnics.

Besides being in a boat, viewing spots include Nevada Beach, Lakeview Commons, and Van Sickle Bi-State Park; area officials advise viewers to plan ahead, consider alternative modes of transportation and take all trash/belongings when the show concludes. The show is from 9:45 pm - 10:05 pm. Go here for more information.

  • Douglas County

July 4th in Genoa

The Carson City Symphony, under the direction of David Bugli, the Carson Chamber Singers, under the direction of Ricky Hutton, and the Joyful Noise Carson Children's Choir, under the direction of Michelle Powers, will be performing at the Genoa Americana Celebration event at Mormon Station State Park, Genoa, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 4, 2022. The orchestra will be joined by a guest vocalist Kevin Milburn. The concert is free and open to the public.

The program includes show tunes, Sousa marches, pops music, and Kevin Milburn's original songs, arranged for orchestra by David Bugli. The Carson Chamber Singers will sing Dos Oruguitas from Disney's "Encanto" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Down by the Riverside arranged by John Rutter, and Homeland by Gustav Holst. The Joyful Noise will perform "Music is Always There" with the Symphony. There will also be patriotic music, including "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Armed Forces Salute."

The Genoa Americana Celebration will start earlier in the day with a children's parade at 10:00 a.m. and the presentation of four smaller ensembles, starting at 11:00 a.m. The event is put on by Friends of Genoa in cooperation with the Town of Genoa. Bring low backed chairs or blankets. Please, no set up before 8:00 a.m. Chicken dinners will be available for purchase from the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD), or visitors can stop by a Genoa food establishment or bring a picnic. Bring a towel or change of clothes for the children for the water games. No glass containers, please.

For more information, call 775-883-4154.

Gardnerville Freedom 5K Fun Run

Head down to Heritage Park at 8 a.m. for the 9th annual Freedom 5K Run for the Wreath Fun Run, which is a partnership between Main Street Gardnerville and Wreaths Across America to honor all 218 Military Veterans laid to rest at Garden Cemetery. $5.00 from every registration will go towards purchasing a wreath for these veterans.

Post-July 4

Annual Keep Tahoe Red, White and Blue Beach Cleanup scheduled for July 5

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below if there are any Fourth of July events that may have slipped past our notice in Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County or at Lake Tahoe!

Top Stories

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We’re back, bigger and better than ever! Please welcome the second annual Mark Twain Days, May 10-12. For a listing of events take a gander at the website here.

You will find something of interest or my name’s not Mark Twain, or used to be anyways. And this year Virginia City is joining in on the fun along with Carson City. Wow!

Nevada Division of Forestry state nursery is open for business beginning Thursday, May 9. When we first bought our home in 1988 with its 2.5 acres, there were some poplars, pines, blue spruce, willows, and grass, but little else. I soon discovered the state nursery and filled the yard with flowering shrubs and other plants. I added lilacs, sand cherries, golden and Nevada currants, sumacs, Apache plumes, and incense cedars.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office arrested a Dayton man Saturday for possession of child pornography. During the investigation, officers also learned the man was a local little league coach.

Mrs. Carson City America, Kassandra Tapia, is set to grace the stage of the Mrs. Nevada America Pageant, scheduled to take place on June 9, 2024, in Las Vegas. She is proudly representing the Capital City, and she aims to not only showcase her poise and grace but also advocate for her powerful platform, Cycle Breakers.

Nevada Author, Sandie La Nae will be selling her Carson City and Virginia City books the three days of the Mark Twain Days, May 10, 11, and 12.

As part of Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday celebration, the Smokey Reading Challenge is underway. Launched this morning at the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records in Carson City, the program is designed to engage children across Nevada in an exciting reading journey to learn about wildfire prevention, forests, and careers in natural resources with Smokey Bear.

The Nevada Jeep Club held their first Washoe Valley Cleanup on Saturday, May 4 and collected more than 450 pounds of trash along Highway 395.

Partnership Carson City has launched “Rediscovering Your Mental Health Series,” a five-week program aimed at promoting mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. Each week, participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques to enhance their mental well-being and foster a healthy community.

The Carson City Leisure Hour Club members continue celebrating the organization’s 127th year with a presentation on the upcoming Jazz and Beyond festival.

At the club’s dinner meeting on Thursday, May 16, Cherie Shipley, a member of the event planning committee, will talk about the annual Jazz and Beyond festival, how it formed, and the impact it has had on the community. Jazz and Beyond is scheduled for August 16 to August 25, 2024.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 6-12, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Organized by Carol Park, the Elks held an open to the public, two-day indoor garage sale at the lodge in March as a fundraiser for Holiday with a Hero. Lodge members donated all items sold and assisted at the event which received excellent support from the community.

An 18-year-old Carson City man was arrested at a local diner after allegedly stealing a car from a used car lot two days prior to test drive it.

Friday May 10 at 7:30PM, Valhalla Tahoe kicks off their season with a living history presentation, “The Reno Cure,” at the Boathouse Theater. Reno has long been known as “The Biggest Little City.”

The Carson City Symphony Association will present a concert, "Pleasures of Music," on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, 3680 N. Hwy. 395, south of Best Buy, Carson City. The concert is a Mark Twain Days event. Admission is free, donations welcome,

Members of the Rotary Club of Carson City will learn how its annual Educational Grant has helped local students at the club’s next meeting. Carson School District K-12 Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator Brittany Witter received the club’s Carson City School District’s Professional Development Center Grant last year with the goal of funding the “Literacy and Love of Reading through Social Studies” project.

Western Nevada College hosted a ceremony to celebrate students succeeding in training to reestablish themselves in the workforce on Thursday.

Perfection in a fur coat is the best way to describe Cher, our cat of the week. Just 7 months old, she is a pretty little short-haired girl with a sweet and social personality.

Carson High School's Senior in the Spotlight this week is Parker Schmid, a remarkable young man whose sparkle radiates in every aspect of his life. From academics to extracurriculars, Parker's journey embodies excellence and compassion, traits that set him apart from his peers.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Courtesy of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: On May 3, 2024 at approximately 1430 hours, Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Central Lyon County, Carson City and Storey County Fire personnel to the area of 34 Newman Ln. for a report of motorhome on fire. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the fire had spread and multiple other abandoned vehicles caught fire as well. No one was hurt or injured during the incident. The incident is currently under investigation, which is being conducted by the Nevada State Fire Marshall’s Division.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Firefighters from Storey are also now responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Multiple vehicles on the property are engulfed in flame.

***

Around 2:15 p.m. a fire was reported at 34 Newman Lane in Mound House.

Firefighters from Carson City and Lyon County are enroute to the scene.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: According to Sheriff Ken Furlong, a student reported they saw a weapon. The incident was investigated and there was no weapon found. The lockdown has now been lifted and students are leaving the school.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Update 05-03-24 at 1:15 p.m.
One student has reported an alleged weapon sighting. It has not been corroborated, but school officials and the sheriff’s office are investigating out an abundance of caution.

***

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The following update was provided by the district:

Carson High School was put on lockdown this afternoon around 12:15 p.m. No person was injured. There is an active situation being investigated in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. We will provide more information as it becomes known. The school is secure. Do not go to the school. No entrances will be permitted at time. The district will provide updates every 30 minutes. Expect the next update at 1:15 p.m.

***

Carson High School is currently on a lockdown as of 12:40 p.m. Friday, but there has been no incident reported according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Two School Resource Officers are on scene investigating why the alarm went off.

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) on the current status of the Highway 50 Preservation Project in Dayton.

Kids ages 8-14: Join Skiing is Believing at Western Nevada college for our multidiscplinary sport & fitness camp! Every day of every week, Skiing is Believing staff will help provide a variety of sports for kids to develop their physical skills and promote emotional development through exercise and community service.

After months of thorough community engagement and meticulous deliberation, Douglas County has announced the completion of its new Strategic Plan. This document, which will guide the County's decisions and resource allocation for the next five years, is the result of extensive input from both internal and external stakeholders.

The unpredictability of spring this first weekend of May continues with the threat of snow showers in the Sierra on Saturday, along with gusty winds and rain down to the valley floors for Carson City and surrounding areas. The storm system should moved out by Sunday morning.

Carson High School Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education students competed at the three-day state conference last month for Nevada Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. This was the first time the school’s programs participated in the conference. A total of 25 students competed in eight events.

Family fun, lively bands and historical characters return to Dangberg Historic Park in Minden beginning in May. Favorite presenters, bands and Chautauquans will be joined by new ones as well.

Carson City’s former Board of Supervisor and business owner Stan Jones was posthumously awarded Thursday the Historic Preservation Award for his long time work for downtown Carson City.

Each year, a Historic Preservation Award is awarded by the Historic Resources Commission to Carson City residents or organizations who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to historic preservation.

The Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is today, Thursday, May 2 at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City. The memorial brings hundreds to the capitol grounds. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested three for their alleged involvement in business thefts last month on Topsy Lane south of Carson City.

The national issue of suicide — particularly among veterans — touched many people who attended the Walk for Hope on Wednesday morning at Western Nevada College in Carson City.