I Love Carson City's Weekend Event Summary: July 4-5

Happy birthday, America! Today we celebrate our independence, and what better way than with a carnival. You might as well stay at Mills Park all day, the fireworks display starts when it gets dark. Tune into Magic 95.5FM and you’ll hear the choreographed music to go along with the oohs and aaahs. Where ever you choose to watch fireworks, please be safe. There are thousands of visitors in the Northern Nevada area this weekend, and law enforcement will be out in full force.

SATURDAY: Independence Day

• Free Swim for Active and Retired Military at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; outdoor pools only)
• Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert in the Park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra at Heritage Park, Gardnerville (5K, $20 per person and family rates, free for active/retired military; register 7am-7:45am; Run/Walk begins 8am, Patriotic costumes encouraged; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast $7; Free Kids Obstacle Course 8am; Free Concert begins 11:30am)
• Fourth of July Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($34 includes 18 holes, cart, and lunch)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)

Start your day at the Farmers Market; stock up on all the bar-be-que essentials like fresh corn, ripe tomatoes, and juicy strawberries. Head over to the Nevada State Railroad Museum and catch the parade of trains, their silent auction with amazing finds by Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, and great food served up by the Warren Engine Company. It’s a short trip to downtown for the monthly wine walk. Bring the blue, there will be plenty of red and white flowing.

• Third and Curry Farmers Market (8:30am to 1pm)
• Empty Bowls Bowl Making at the Third and Curry Farmers Market by the Bounce House (8:30am until supplies run out or 1pm)
• Fourth of July Weekend Celebration at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of trains 9am-10am; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Ride wristband $15, $5 kids; Silent Auction on Saturday)
• Muscle Powered Bike Ride: meet by the Muscle Powered bike rack in front of the Community Pool at 841 N. Roop St. (9:40am-11:40am; must wear helmets and closed toed shoes; riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
• Fourth of July Virginia and Truckee Round-trip Steam Train Ride: leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East at 10am and Depart Virginia City Depot at 3pm (tickets limited, $52, seniors and veterans $48, kids 3-16 $32)
• Genoa Americana Festival: Live Music including a performance from the Carson City Symphony Orchestra, Music workshops, Kids Activities, and Genoa Volunteer Fire Department Chicken BBQ at Mormon Station Park, Genoa (10am-6pm, free; Kids Parade 11am; Kids Water Games 1pm-4pm; BBQ 11am-6pm, $12; Saturday)
• 4th Annual Fourth of July Festival: Music, Kid’s Bike Parade, Free Food and more in Minden Park, Downtown Minden (10am- 2pm, free)

Douglas County has some tempting offerings for Independence Day. The annual Freedom 5K Fun Run gets underway at 8 a.m. Stay close to Heritage Park if you want to attend the Carson Valley Pops Concert afterward. Genoa is serving up its annual Volunteer Fire Department Chicken BBQ and American Festival. Even Minden is in on the act with a Bike Parade and free hamburgers and hot dogs at Minden Park.

• Recycled Rides Project: refurbished car presentation to a student veteran at the E.L. Cord Technology Center at Western Nevada College (11am)
• Swim Class for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Carson City Aquatic Facility (11am; $4)
• RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival open 12pm-11pm, Live music with Jake Armer and the Hot Dogs 2pm-6pm, Magic 95 95.5FM live broadcast beginning at 6pm and continues as the choreographed fireworks soundtrack)
• Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Tasting and Pairing Luncheon at the Bistro at Tahoe Ridge Winery (12pm-1:30pm; $20; RSVP 775-473-1790)
• Fourth of July on the Comstock, Virginia City (Parade 12pm; Comstock Cowboys 2nd Amendment Concert in the Delta Parking Lot 6pm-9pm, raffle at 7pm; Fireworks Spectacular at Miners Park after dark, visible throughout town)
• Biggest Little City Wing Fest, Downtown Reno (12pm-8pm)
• Bell Bottom Beach Bash and Fireworks at Commons Beach in Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe (12pm-10pm, free; live music, contests, and more)
• South Tahoe Red, White and Blue Independence Day Party at Beach Retreat and Lodge: Eldorado National Forest, 3441 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (12pm-11pm, free; Live DJs and giveaways; Fireworks soundtrack on KTHO 96.1FM)
• Downtown Business Association's Monthly Wine Walk: sign up at Bella Fiore Wines, the Carson Nugget, Cactus Jacks, Carson Jewelry and Loan, Remedy's Bar, or Touched By Angels (1pm-5pm; $10; Saturday)

Plenty of options for fireworks. Head to Mills Park, or any high point in Carson City, and tune into Magic 95.5FM for a synchronized soundtrack. South Lake Tahoe fireworks can be enjoyed alongside KTHO 96.1FM. If you find yourself in Sparks, tune into KKOH 780AM for their orchestrated tunes.

• Star Spangled Sparks in Victorian Square, Sparks (2pm-10pm; Kids Area in Victorian Plaza; Live Music by West Bay Rhythm 5pm-9:30pm; Fireworks, tune into KKOH 780AM for corresponding music; no pets, bbqs, or glass containers allowed)
• Wine Tasting at Genoa Candy and Coffee in Carson Lanes (4pm-8pm; $5 for five tastes)
• Star Party at Western Nevada College’s Observatory (doors 7pm; 7:30pm start)
• Live Music with Joey Carmon at Casino Fandango (7pm)
• Live Music with Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm)
• Live Music with Lady and the Tramps at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• Rock’n N Bowl’n at Gold Dust West (8pm)
• Karaoke at Westside Pour House (8pm)
• Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)

Tahoe is known for its beauty, even without fireworks. Beaches up and down the shores are hosting Fourth of July Parties, and fireworks come from two directions. There will be sobriety check-points and thousands of people trying to leave at the same time, so please be patient and get back to Carson safely.

• Karaoke at Beercade: 1930 N. Carson St.
• Red, White, and Blue Party with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (9pm)
• Fireworks viewing party at Whiskey Tavern
• Lights on the Lake Fourth of July Fireworks (9:45pm; best viewing at Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Tallac Historic Site/Baldwin Beach, Edgewood Tahoe, Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach; Fireworks soundtrack on KTHO 96.1FM)
• DJ and Dancing at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm)

The weekend isn’t over yet. Enjoy breakfast at the Elk’s Club. They serve up pancakes and more every first Sunday. Genoa is a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Sweet Sippin Sunday is like a mini wine walk, only this month the small businesses are serving up rum-based cocktails. Help keep Tahoe blue: the annual beach clean-up after the Fourth of July needs all the help it can get.

SUNDAY:

• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
• Fourth of July Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($34 includes 18 holes, cart, and lunch)
• Keep Tahoe Blue Beach Clean-up at Kiva/Tallac Historic Site, South Shore; Regan Beach, South Shore; Nevada Beach, East Shore; Kings Beach, North Shore; Commons Beach, North Shore (8:30am, bring water bottle, gloves, and sunscreen; refreshments, cleanup bags, gloves, and hand sanitizer provided; Raffle giveaway for participants; RSVP for any location at www.keeptahoeblue.org/rsvp )
• Fourth of July Weekend Celebration at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of trains daily 9am-10am; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Ride wristband $15, $5 kids)
• Virginia and Truckee Round-trip Steam Train Rides -leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East at 10am- Depart Virginia City Depot 3pm (tickets limited, $52, seniors and veterans $48, kids 3-16 $32)
• Bingo fundraiser for CASI at the Carson City Senior Center (doors 11am; 12:30pm start; $10 buy in, $5 extra pack, $1 specials; Must be 21+)
• Biggest Little City Wing Fest, Downtown Reno (12pm-3pm)
• Teapot Exhibit at the Forman-Roberts House Museum: 1207 N. Carson St (1pm-3pm; free admission)
• Sweet Sippin Sunday, Genoa (1pm-4pm; $12; Rum is this month’s liquor, Carson Valley Arts Council is the non-profit, and Live Music by Nigel St. Hubbins)
• Sunday Funday: Free game of pool with drink purchase at Westside Pour House
• 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)
• APA Singles Qualifier at Whiskey Tavern (3pm; 8 and 9 ball)
• Pool Tournament at Tommy’s Neighborhood Bar (2pm)
• Live Music with Hick’ry Switch at the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park (5:30pm-7:30pm)

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 Sunday, 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.