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Christmas season kicks off Dec. 5 with Carson City hometown celebration

The Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights will officially kick off Friday evening, Dec. 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the steps of the State Capitol in Carson City.

Now in its 25th year, the annual event is sponsored by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority as part of their efforts to showcase the downtown core and to bring families together to enjoy the advent of the holiday season.

Mayor Robert Crowell will serve as Master of Ceremonies as he welcomes Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki to officially light the state Christmas tree and flip the switch to transform the downtown into a winter wonderland.

“There is no greater time than the Holidays to promote family values and the benefit of living in a community where people care about each other and work together to create a sense of community and belonging so important in today’s world,” said Crowell.

As has been the tradition for 25 years, children from the Carson City School District fifth grade music classes will be singing Christmas Carols to herald in the season. Santa will arrive in a 1927 Seagrave fire truck provided as a courtesy by the Warren Engine Company #1.

Music teacher Mary Law has been involved with the event from the beginning, “We've been preparing since mid-October. The kids and their families love the tree lighting.  It's a wonderful community event that brings us all out to enjoy the magic of the season.  When I first started teaching, we were lucky to have 100 people attend; that was counting the audience and singers.  Now, it's the beginning of many families' holidays.  We enjoy being part of it.”  

The Carson City Elks Lodge #2177 will be on hand in front of the capitol to provide free hot chocolate and Santa will be giving out candy canes.

Following the state tree lighting ceremony, the Mayor, accompanied by the Carson High School Chamber Choir, will proceed to corner of Musser and Nevada Streets to light the city tree.

The Carson Middle School Band will perform Christmas music as part of the Empty Bowls project to be located at Telegraph Square. The Empty Bowls project collects donations to support the FISH programs by selling hot soup made by local restaurants.

Children under 12 will enjoy free ice skating at the Arlington Square Ice Rink where representative of the Elks Lodge and the Downtown Business Association will be on hand to serve cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. The Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers will perform at the rink.

Lori Bagwell, Chairman of the Carson City Redevelopment Citizens Committee, is pleased the redevelopment citizens committee and the Redevelopment Authority continue to fund this annual event, “The Silver and Snowflake event is a wonderful testimony to our community with caroling, tree lighting, ice-skating and hot cocoa. 

"Nothing says Christmas time like the Christmas tree! The smell of the pine, the twinkling of the lights — it’s magical. It’s perfect to celebrate the most festive time of the year together as a community from the youngest to the oldest. Stop by your local businesses for a little hospitality and to fill your Santa lists!”

The Carson City Chamber is coordinating the event this year after the retirement of long-time coordinators Fred and Maxine Nietz announced their retirement.

— Ronni Hannaman is the executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

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