I Love Carson City’s Weekend Event Summary: July 29 - 30

A sunny summer weekend has arrived and it brings numerous fun ways to seize the day. You can always head out hiking or spend the day at the pool, but the Carson City Fair is just here until Sunday. Farm animals, great exhibits, live entertainment, a carnival, and a bull-riding rodeo can be found at Fuji Park. Park your car at the Super Walmart on Topsy and you’ll be treated to a free shuttle. Go a little bit country at the Brewery Arts Center tonight; they are bringing back the Southern Drawl Band to the Minnesota Street Stage for this week’s free concert.

SATURDAY:

• -- Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am -11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• -- Carson City Fair at Fuji Park - Free Parking and JAC Shuttle from Topsy Lane Walmart 10am-11pm (Exhibit Hall open 8am-9pm; Elks Club Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall $5, 7am-11am; Engine and Tractor Display, Antique Cars and Trucks, Robert Foster’s Antique Scales 8am-5pm; Swap Meet 8am-7pm; Tractor Silent Auction 8am-3pm; Tractor Parade 11am, Tractor Pull 12pm; Vendors and Carnival 1pm-10pm; Live DJ 5pm-9pm, Evening Entertainment 7pm-11pm)
• -- Free gently used clothing available for families at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 411 N. Saliman Road (8am-12pm; open to all community members; however the event focuses on school-aged children)
• -- Arts and Antique Faire at the Carson City Art Gallery: corner Curry/Second St. (8:30am-2pm)
• -- Third and Curry Farmers Market (8:30am to 1pm; fruits, vegetables, flowers, local vendors, live music, yoga, the Muscle Powered Bike Valet and more)
• -- Doin' It Island Style: Northern Nevada Hui Association Fundraiser at the Carson Mall (9am-6pm; Car Wash 9am-1pm, $5-$10; Teriyaki Chicken Plate Lunch 11am-?, $10; Live Music begins at 11am featuring Mr. Lee Jones and Namolokama)
• -- Great Basin Native Artists Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (9am-6pm; featuring art by Linda Eben Jones, Joyce McCauley, Steve Nighthawk, Tork Rains and Brandy McDaniels)
• -- Rides on Steam Engine No. 25 at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every 40 minutes from 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members; Tahoe Tenderloins Food Truck 11am-2pm)

All aboard at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. This weekend sees Steam Engine No. 25 roll along the tracks and a special visit by some local food trucks make it a delicious option.

• -- Virginia and Truckee Round-trip Steam Train Rides: leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (Depart Carson City 10am, please arrive 30 minutes early - Depart Virginia City 3pm; $52, seniors and veterans $48, kids 3-16 $32; tickets limited, available online HERE)
• -- Half-off Everything at the Carson City Senior Center Thrift Shop: 911 Beverly Drive (10am-3:30pm; includes Boutique and Furniture; benefits the Meals on Wheels Program)
• -- Spirit of America Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm AND 6pm-10pm during the Levitt Amp Summer Concert)
• -- Ferris Speaker Series: Patricia Cafferata, “By Gas, Rope, Bullet or Poison” at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch Park: 1450 Hwy 88, Minden (10am; free; bring a picnic, lawn chairs; no pets; distinguished Nevada lawyer and former district attorney, Patty Cafferata, will share the fascinating history of the death penalty as practiced within Nevada)
• -- Bad Art at the Minden Library: 1625 Library Lane, Minden (10am-12pm; Each participant will create a work of bad art, and all participants will vote on the “best” bad art piece. The artist with the best of the worst will receive a Bad Art trophy and a prize. All “art” supplies will be provided.)
• -- Depot Work Day at Dayton's 1881 Carson and Colorado Railroad Depot: Hwy 50 East at Main Street, at the light (10am-1pm; Drop in, help as you can. There is something for everyone; for more info call 775-246-0505 or 775-720-4104)
• -- Silver Stage Pop Warner Fundraising Car Wash at the Sinclair Gas Station in Dayton (10am-2pm)
• -- Family Story time and Craft at the Carson City Library (10:15am-11:45am; Must register online HERE; Each family will receive a free library bag and free book. Each child that is registered will get to participate in an art or science activity)
• -- Minecraft at the Carson City Library (12pm-1:30pm; Explore worlds and build amazing things with your library's own Minecraft world; those 9 and younger must be accompanied by someone 13+)
• -- Carson and Mills Park Railroad Train Rides around Mills Park (train runs every half hour 12pm-6pm; tickets $2 per person or three rides for $5, children two and under are free; hosted by the Carson City Railroad Association)
• -- Carson Valley LGBTQIAP and Friends Weekly Social Meet-up at Comma Coffee (2pm-4pm; Empowering support, love, and respect; all ages welcome)
• -- Saturday Family Movie: ‘The Spongebob Movie’ at the Minden Library: 1625 Library Lane, Minden (2pm; rated PG; movie and popcorn are free; sponsored by the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library)

Grab an instrument and head up to Silver City for an acoustic summer jam at the School House. A hidden gem of arts and culture, Silver City is just down the hill from Virginia City.

• -- Silver City Arts Group Monthly Acoustic Jam at the Silver City School House/Community Center: 385 High St., Silver City (3pm-5pm; Bring your instruments and/or your singing voice)
• -- Books and Brew Book Club at the Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar inside the Carson Nugget (5pm; this month’s book is ‘Everything Everything’ by Nicola Yoon; Please come ready to discuss the book and to have a good time)
• -- Live Music with Ev Musselman at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (5pm-9pm)
• -- Live Music with Tom Miller at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (6pm-9pm)
• -- Fifth Annual Bulls, Broncs and Barrels Rodeo at the Fuji Park Arena (Gates open 5:30pm, show starts 7pm; $14 at the gate, kids 7 and younger admitted free with a paid adult entry)
• -- Free Outdoor Community Concert: Southern Drawl Band – part of the Levitt AMP Music Series on the Minnesota Street Stage at the Brewery Arts Center (concert begins 7pm; Free; Pets on leashes are welcomed. Bring your own chair, or use one of ours. Food trucks and bars will be available; kids activities and a bounce house, but parents must stay with their children at all times; If you like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jimmy Buffet, you'll love Southern Drawl Band - Defined in categories like Country, Southern Rock, Tropical Rock, and even Bluegrass, Southern Drawl Band attracts a range of listeners from a broad spectrum of music genres and audiences.)
• -- Lecture: "The New SI: A Makeover for the Kilogram" by Dr. Tom Herring and Weekly Star Party at Western Nevada College’s Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave (7pm-10:30pm; lecture at 7:30pm, limited seating; free, star viewing by telescopes begins at sunset; Weather permitting)
• -- Ladies Night at Crossroads Lounge (7pm-close)
• -- Live Music with Reckless Envy at the Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)

Show some support to our local theater groups. You’ll find the Carson Valley Community Theater’s production of ‘You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ at the CVIC Hall in Gardnerville. It’s a fairytale mish-mash at the Carson City Community Center where Youth Theater Carson City bring ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ to life.

• -- Youth Theater Carson City presents ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (7pm; $12 general admission, $10 seniors/students)
• -- Carson Valley Community Theatre presents ‘You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ at the CVIC Hall: 1604 Esmerelda, Minden (7:30pm; General Admission $18)
• -- Live Music with Double Shot at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• -- Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)
• -- Karaoke with J and M Productions at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget (8pm-11pm)
• -- Rock’n and Bowl’n at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center (8pm-11:45pm; $10-$14; disco lights, fog machine and lots of prizes)
• -- Live Music with the Rye Brothers in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• -- Live Music with Mo’z Motley Blues at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm; no cover)
• -- Live Music with Musicole at the Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• -- Karaoke Night at the Westside Pour House (9pm-12am)
• -- Live Music with The Starlighters in ‘The Loft’ inside the Carson Nugget (9pm-1am)
• -- DJ Dance Party at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (9:30pm)
• -- DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm-2am; no cover, 21+)

Wind down the weekend with a bike ride with Muscle Powered, or maybe enjoy a trail on your own. You’ll find morning yoga at Comma Coffee, with another Community Yogi offering at the Carson City Library at noon. If you haven’t had your fill of cotton candy, carnival rides, ponies, and tractor pulls you’ve still got today to enjoy the Carson City Fair at Fuji Park. Kick off those Sunday shoes with a trip to the movie theater. You’ve got two chances to catch the 80’s classic ‘Footloose’ on the big screen today and Wednesday.

SUNDAY:

• -- Family Day at Empire Ranch Golf Course (Kids play free with paid adult green fee, one for one)
• -- Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am -11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• -- Carson City Fair at Fuji Park - Free Parking and JAC Shuttle from Topsy Lane Walmart 10am-7pm (Exhibit Hall open 8am-4pm; Elks Club Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall $5, 7am-11am; Engine and Tractor Display, Antique Cars and Trucks, Robert Foster’s Antique Scales 8am-4pm; Swap Meet 8am-4pm; Tractor Parade 11am, Tractor Pull 12pm; Vendors and Carnival 1pm-9pm; Live DJ 5pm-9pm)
• -- Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (meet at 8am; consists of two loops 10-15 miles long each, this will allow a rider to do 10-15 miles or 20-30 miles; ride pace will vary depending on rider level, but usually about 12-16 mph; All riders must have a bicycle in safe working condition, helmet, and closed toed shoes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting site; email Shane: shane@shanetrotter.net with any questions)
• -- Community Yoga with Allison Reitz at Comma Coffee (9am-10am; $10 cash only; beginners are welcome; Bring your mind, body, and mat; a limited number of extra mats will be available)
• -- CCBMX Racing at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex: 1555 Livermore Lane (Weather and Track Conditions Permitting; sign-ups 9am-10am $10, call/text 775-220-7111 if running late; must be USABMX member; one-day trial memberships and new rider kits available)
• -- Rides on Steam Engine No. 25 at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every 40 minutes from 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members; Rollin Pizza Pies Food Truck time TBA)
• -- Virginia and Truckee Round-trip Steam Train Rides: leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (Depart Carson City 10am, please arrive 30 minutes early - Depart Virginia City 3pm; $52, seniors and veterans $48, kids 3-16 $32; tickets limited, available online HERE)
• -- Spirit of America Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- Free Bar-be-que at the Capital Baptist Church: 4555 S. Edmonds Dr. (Church Service at 10:45pm with BBQ to follow)
• -- Kids Eat Free at the Fox Brewpub (11am-10pm; with purchase of adult entree)
• -- Bookworm Yoga with Community Yogi in the Carson City Library Digitorium (12pm; beginners are welcome; Wear comfortable clothes. Bring your mind, body, and mat; a limited number of extra mats will be available)

You’ll find plenty of ways to spend some quality time with the kids today. A trip around Mills Park on the Carson and Mills Park Railroad is perfect when paired with a picnic. ‘Into the Woods, Jr’ is the perfect production for the fairytale lovers. A to Zen hosts a music jam welcoming all ages and ability levels.

• -- Carson and Mills Park Railroad Train Rides around Mills Park (train runs every half hour 12pm-5pm; tickets $2 per person or three rides for $5, children two and under are free; hosted by the Carson City Railroad Association)
• -- Music Jam Sunday at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (1pm-3pm; we try to keep it simple so that musicians of all ages and skill levels can participate. We welcome music of all genres and styles; Audience is welcome)
• -- Youth Theater Carson City presents ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (2pm; $12 general admission, $10 seniors/students)
• -- Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
• -- Weekly 9 Ball Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• -- Big Screen Classics: Footloose at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (2pm; $8.50 adults, $7.75 kids)
• -- Open Mic hosted by Rick Medina at Buckaroo’s, Downtown Gardnerville (2pm-5pm; Bring your instrument and come on down. Drums, keyboard and piano will be supplied; every fourth Sunday)
• -- Carson Valley Community Theatre presents ‘You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ at the CVIC Hall: 1604 Esmerelda, Minden (2pm; General Admission $18)
• -- Virginia and Truckee One-way Steam Train Rides: leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (Depart Carson City 4:30pm, arrive in Virginia City 6pm; $52, seniors and veterans $33, kids 3-16 $21; tickets limited, available online HERE)
• -- Concerts on the Green: The Buddy Elmer Band at Dayton Valley Golf Course (5pm-8pm; $15.95 concert and buffet, $29.95 concert and buffet for two, $10 concert only; Tickets/reservations available in clubhouse or by calling 775.246.7888 Ext. 2)
• -- Live Music with Deep Groove at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (5:30pm-8:30pm)
• -- Live Music with Jonathon “JB” Barton in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (6pm-10pm)
• -- Big Screen Classics: Footloose at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (7pm; $10.25 adults, $7.75 kids)

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.

As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.