Halloween

Ask the average person where to find the most elaborate Halloween decorations in the Nevada state capital, and you will undoubtedly be directed to 606 N. Mountain Street.

More people will be out on the streets Monday night in Carson City than any other evening of the year as the Nevada state capital prepares to celebrate Halloween night.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and First Lady Kathleen Sandoval will host Trick or Treating this Monday, Halloween night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City.

Trick or treat, Carson City. Little ghouls and goblins will be hitting the streets for the annual tradition, so please drive carefully. Avoid the chill by hitting up the Carson Mall or Carson Library for goodies. The Governor will be handing out candy after 5 p.m.; you may want to start your west side visit with our Downtown Business Association’s Candy Crawl. Virginia City’s Goblin Parade is followed by trick or treating down ‘C’ Street. In Minden, don’t miss the annual Trick or Treat Safety Street at the CVIC Hall. Adults can enjoy Halloween Parties at Crossroad’s Lounge or the Blue Bull.

After an action-packed Nevada Day Saturday, Sunday traditions carry on, such as the 35th Annual La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow at the Carson Colony gym. Take the kids up to Virginia City for one last chance to catch Thomas the Tank Engine at the V & T Depot. It may be a little rainy, but the show must go on at the NV Day Carnival and Festival at Mills Park.

SUNDAY:

Happy Birthday Nevada. My favorite holiday has arrived, and with it a mountain of fun to be had. Normally my weekend list is sorted by chronological start time, but for this one I will be separating out the downtown parade related activities for your ease. Keep reading and have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Parade Day Fun Stuff in Downtown Carson City:

• BAWN Pancake Breakfast Buffet at Red’s Old 395 (6am-10am; $6/$3 kids)

Even though Carson City is awash with Nevada Day festivities, Halloween is just as important. Here is an updated list of all the reasons to throw on a costume Saturday through Monday in Carson City and the surrounding valleys. Remember, rain is expected on Friday and Sunday, so consider an umbrella if you don’t want your make-up to run!
Adults only parties are in italics.

The Nevada Governor's Mansion lights up the night with it's Halloween decorations.

Gov. Brian Sandoval and First Lady Kathleen Sandoval are scheduled to participate in the 2016 Nevada Day festivities and will host trick or treating at the Governor’s Mansion, an annual Halloween tradition celebrated by Nevada's top leaders.

Let’s just call this Nevad-oween weekend. So much crazy fun awaits: whether it’s the celebration of our ‘new’ downtown, Halloween parties for kids and adults alike, or our State Museum’s 75th Anniversary. Start your day at the Museum, hang around for the downtown ribbon cutting and festivities, then join in the costumed fun as Blinky Man hits the streets. Do the time warp at the Brewery Arts Center: the Rocky Horror Picture Show Party starts at 8:30 p.m. This is going to be one amazing weekend, so let’s get this party started.

An all-ages bash brought children, teens and parents to the Carson City Library on Wednesday for a Halloween Party. In the first photo we see families line up into the parking lot. In the second photo, from left, Fred Desotell, Kiara Williams, and Makayla Hall, all 16, compete in the costume contest during the party. Desotell won in the teen category for his "trash mummy" costume after wrapping himself up with toliet paper from a trash can in front of the audience.

As we head toward Halloween on Monday we think about all the scary creatures often associated with the celebration. It’s easy to come up with scary thoughts about things that go bump in the dark, and unfortunately, a lot of people think of bats as that bump in the dark. You might be surprised, however, to learn that nearly everything you thought about bats is incorrect and they are actually extremely important to the success of Nevada’s ecosystems.

Kids of all ages are invited to Greater Nevada Credit Union’s trick-or-treat event from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on October 31 at the Eagle Station branch located at 451 Eagle Station Lane in Carson City.

Guests can play Halloween games, enjoy treats, and get their pictures taken with Reno Aces baseball mascot Archie from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. There is no charge to attend, and the branch is also collecting canned food to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada from those who would like to donate.

After of the usual Halloween hubbub this Monday, you can spend a spellbinding evening with guitarist/composer Arthur Dente and flutist Valentine Dente. Weaving a rich blend of classical, jazz, and flamenco guitar and flute, the duo of Arthur and Valentine Dente serve up an extraordinary performance of world music influenced by Latin-America, India, France, and the Celtic nations.

They create a passionate musical journey, combining virtuosity and intimacy that conjures the magic of sunny days in Spain, cool evenings in France, and the whirling, festival colors of Latin America and India.

Nevada is one of the few states that celebrate its Admission Day, and boy do we throw a party. A parade, competitions of strength and facial hair, hot air balloons, bloody marys, a carnival, pow wow, and free chili are just a few of the festivities awaiting the capital city on Saturday.

The party begins Friday this year with a ribbon cutting celebration of the 'new' downtown. The Nevada State Museum hits its 75th Anniversary this year and will have a day full of fun and surprises. Keep reading to see where you need to take advantage of all the best this holiday weekend has to offer.

If today is any indication of how hard it is going to choose between fun activities, we have a tough few days ahead. The Carson Tahoe Spooktacular is an annual favorite for the kids, complete with treats, activities, and helicopers. It’s Family Night at the RSVP Nevada Day Carnival: thanks to Carson City Toyota-Scion, all rides are just $1. Dayton offers a Haunted Hayride through their old town history. Costumes are encouraged for this family fun event. Root beer floats await at the grand opening celebration of the newly renovated FISH.

The screening and judging ceremony for the 2016 Carson Creepy Short Horror Film contest will be help this Saturday, October 29th, at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall in Carson City. Competitors were given one week to make a short horror film between 5 and 8 minutes long.

“Heeere's Johnny!” The Shining returns to the big screen today at the Galaxy Theater, so get a jump on the weekends chills and thrills with some cult classic horror. For something much more family friendly, a Halloween Party at the Library includes fun crafts and a costume contest. Author Sandie LaNae of Thin Veil Investigators is the featured presenter tonight at Washoe Lake State Park. She’ll be discussing some of her discoveries in ‘Weird, Haunted Virginia City.’ A fun night of jazz awaits at Living the Good Life with Tom Stryker’s Impromptu. Keep reading for all of Wednesday’s options.

Get your home style pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee! Check out the Fire Engines! Halloween Costumes encouraged! Also, we will be holding a blood drive during the breakfast to support United Blood Services. Our last blood drive in August was amazing!! Let's do it again!!

The event will be at 3010 Lakeshore Blvd, New Washoe City. Any questions please contact Katie Patterson at 775 240-6977.

Donation only. Proceeds to benefit victims of Little Valley Fire.

Let’s do the time warp again! This Friday night, Oct. 28 the BAC and PPI will celebrate the season with a screening of the original cult classic musical “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the BAC Performance Hall. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. with costume contests and activities and the movie will begin at 10 p.m.

State law officers will be out in force this Halloween in Carson City, Reno and Sparks conducting annual home visitation checks of registered sex offenders whose victims have involved children.

As October marches along we find ourselves nearing election day. Head to the first floor of the courthouse to earn your 'I Voted' sticker now; early voting continues until Nov. 4. Another way to make your voice heard today is by attending the Arts Town Hall sponsored by the Nevada Arts Association. They are looking for the ways that arts and culture can be improved in the Carson City area, among other things. While the mornings can be chilly, a walk with Muscle Powered along the Freeway Multi-use Path will get your blood pumping.

It may be a Monday, but it gets us closer to one of my favorite festivities: the Nevada Day Parade. The holidays come rolling along quickly after that. For those who need some help this Thanksgiving, you can sign up for a food basket at the Salvation Army. A Holiday Craft Show at Browsers Corner Bookstore will give you a head start on that gift list; consider a Friends of the Carson City Library Membership for your more bookish friends. The World Championship doesn’t begin until tomorrow, so get your sports fix with the Texans/Broncos match-up in tonight’s Monday Night Football game.

Breathe in some crisp autumn air and take in the beauty of the changing leaves as you accompany Muscle Powered on an early morning bike ride. Show off your favorite fur baby at Genoa Coffee and Candy’s Howl-O-Ween celebration. Stop by the Nevada State Railroad Museum for the last day of the Harvest Train Festival and Pumpkin Patch. Don’t stop now, keep reading for more great options.

SUNDAY:

It’s that time of year again. The ghosts and ghouls come out of hiding and paint the town orange. Halloween isn’t just one night around here. Combined with the festivities of Nevada Day, you can be sure to enjoy at least a week’s worth of celebrating.

Here is a comprehensive list of fall festivals, Halloween parties, and fun for all. Items in italic are for those 21 and older only.

Saturday, Oct. 22:

Hold onto your broomstick, this weekend is bound to sweep you up in Halloween fun. First you’ll need a pumpkin. The Harvest Train Festival and Pumpkin Patch at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to start. Take the costumed kids to a Trunk or Treat at Advantage Auto Works off Old Hot Springs Road courtesy of the members of Carson Cruise Meet and Greet. Team up with Mark Twain for a ghostly tour of our haunted downtown or you can choose a shorter tour that’s perfect for families. Keep reading, this is just the tip of the candy corn.

SATURDAY:

Carson Tahoe Health is excited to present its fourth annual Spooktacular party, a family-oriented Halloween celebration open to the community. The free event takes place on October 27 from 3:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. in the north parking lot at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

Get those costumes ready, the Halloween parties start tonight. Ed’s Doghouse’s party kicks off at 6 p.m. and is celebrating proprietor and namesake’s birthday as well. Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar has DJ Mobeatz and DJ Cillo keeping you on the dance floor. Scaryoke at Whiskey Tavern combines karaoke, beer pong, and drink specials for a super crazy fun time. Body-painter extraordinaire, Lynzie Ruckuer, teams up with DJ Brunch Dizzle for an American Horror Story themed party at Remedy’s.

Recognized as one of a handful of the most haunted towns in the U.S., Virginia City rattles the chains, cages, ballroom floor and railroad tracks for the rest of the month as part of its “Hauntober” celebration, offering up ghostly adventures culminating Oct. 31, Nevada Day and Halloween.

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. – Enjoy an evening of old-fashioned Halloween fun at Fort Churchill State Historic Park. This family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities including harvest games on the museum lawn, a scavenger hunt around the fort ruins and pumpkin carving and scarecrow building contest.