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Fourth of July fireworks, parades, celebrations and more in Carson City and beyond

Event Date: 
July 4, 2023 (All day)

Independence Day is Tuesday, so if you’re looking for some fun celebrations in Northern Nevada, look no more. Here's several options for family and friends to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Carson City
Public reading of Declaration of Independence at Nevada State Museum in Carson City

The Battle Born Patriots Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is once again hosting the Reading of the Declaration of Independence and Liberty Bell Ringing at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City on Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4 at 10 a.m.

The public is invited to this free, family-friendly event. This year promises to be fun and interesting. The Douglas High School Tiger Battalion JROTC Color Guard will post the colors, supported by the BBP Color Guard.
There will also be a performance by their Bagpiper. American Heritage Partners will offer coffee and doughnuts. Seating is limited in the courtyard area at the museum, so you may want to bring a folding chair to use.

Max Casino in Carson City hosts July 4 hot dog eating championship

On July 4, Max Casino Carson City will host its inaugural Hot Dog Eating Championship. Six contestants will go bun-to-bun to see who can eat 10 hot dogs the fastest in 10 minutes.

30th annual RSVP Fourth of July Fireworks scheduled at Mills Park in Carson City

The fireworks are back this year thanks to the Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, and this year will mark the 30th anniversary of Fourth of July Fireworks at Mills Park in Carson City. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m. at Mills Park, which is located at 1111 E. William Street in Carson City.

The city of Carson City and Carson City Toyota are helping to sponsor the event this year, which can only take place thanks to donations from the community, and is free for all.

Genoa

Genoa Americana Celebration

The Genoa Americana Celebration at the Mormon Station State Historic Park is back with the Children’s & Pet Parade beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by live music, games, water activities, and more. This celebration is free and open to the public.

Gardnerville

Freedom 5K Run for the Wreath Fun Run & Walk

The Annual Freedom 5K Run for the Wreath Fun Run is back at Heritage Park. There will also be the annual Carson Valley Pops in the Park Patriotic concert presented at 11 a.m. Pre-Registration Fees for runners 10 and under is free, 11 and up is $25 and runners that are military or veterans is $20.

Virginia City

Fourth of July Fireworks Watch Party at the Fourth Ward School Museum

At the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tickets are limited to 30 people and are $70 general admission and $50 for Museum Members.

Celebrate an Intimate Fourth of July spectacular in Virginia City

Celebrate the holiday in an elegant, one-of-a-kind majestic and historic setting with arguably the most spectacular view of the Virginia City fireworks show.

Celebrate July 4th with a Star-Spangled Murder Mystery aboard the Virginia Truckee Railroad

All aboard the Star-Spangled Murder Mystery Train for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. Enjoy libations and appetizers served on board the train while a live murder mystery show is played out during your round trip from the historic Virginia City Depot to Gold Hill and back. 

South Lake Tahoe

Fourth of July Fireworks return to south shore, drones to north shore in Lake Tahoe

Fireworks are returning to South Lake Tahoe on the 4th of July. The popular Lights on the Lake show hosted by the Tahoe Douglas Visitor's Authority will start at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will be launched off barges on Lake Tahoe near Edgewood Tahoe

Incline Village

Incline Village Crystal Bay Sky Show

At the Incline Village Ridgeline Ball Fields from 7 p.m. till 10:30 p.m, there will be music, activities, trivia, food and a laser and drone show at 9:30 p.m. The event is free, but donations are welcomed.

Fernley
The Fernley 4th of July has been going on for over 50 years celebrating the the old fashioned way with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Fernley Masonic Lodge #34, proudly serving Fernley for 100 years; a Parade down Main Street followed by a day and evening full of fun at the Out of Town Park. And of course, the 4th of July would not be complete without a great Fireworks show! this year's theme is "Fernley Looking Forward." Go here for a complete lineup and activities and events.

Reno

Great American Craft Fair & Parade

Reno hosts a parade down Riverside Dr. by the Truckee River for a free, all day long Independence Day celebration with live music, food and arts and crafts. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Reno Aces Game

The Reno Aces will play the Tacoma Rainiers at the Greater Nevada Field on July 4 at 6:35 p.m. This is a ticketed event, prices depending on seats. There will also be fireworks after the game finishes.

The Reno 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

A new annual hot dog eating contest will take place at noon on July 4 at Vistro. Registration is free but required to compete. Spectating is free for this event.

Sparks

Star-Spangled Sparks Celebration and Fireworks

This event is free to all and will take place in the Victorian Square. The celebration will be from 4pm – 10pm, with fireworks at around 9:30, if weather is permitting.

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On Friday, the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada announced its expansion into Minden.

“We are so incredibly honored to announce the brand-new Wray Family Clubhouse opening in August of 2024 in Minden,” a spokesperson wrote.

A 32-year-old Carson City man was arrested Thursday afternoon for felony domestic battery.

Steven Michael was arrested after deputies responded to a report of a domestic assault.

Since creating its Jump Start College more than decade ago, there have never been as many graduates as the Western Nevada College’s Class of 2024 produced.

WNC will honor a record 168 graduates at graduation ceremonies on May 20 in Carson City and May 23 in Fallon.
The program includes nine participating high schools, three academies and homeschool students.

Carson City is now accepting Letters of Intent for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects taking place July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

The City is specifically seeking projects correlating with the City’s FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Plan, approved on August 3, 2023.

Ricardo Serrano Perez was sentenced to 20 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections with minimum parole eligibility of 8 years. Perez was sentenced pursuant to a guilty plea agreement whereby the parties stipulated to the maximum sentence.

Carson High Speech and Debate will be hosting the inaugural Carson High Show and Shine car show Saturday May 25th in the north parking lot of CHS from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone with a classic or cool car can enter their vehicle in the event for $25.

Awards will be given for the top 10 entrees. See the attached flyer or you can register day of. Anyone can come check out the cars free of charge.

There will be raffle prizes, face painting for the kids, and food trucks on site.

Donna Inversin, President of The Historic Virginia & Truckee Trail, will speak on the nonprofit's effort to find those remaining sections of old rail bed routes and stitch them together to build a multi-use path of between 60 and 80 miles that will be an echo of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and visitors of Northern Nevada.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division is seeking information from the public to identify a suspect in a vehicle burglary investigation.

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is introducing the capital city's first Trails Challenge in hopes of turning it into an annual outdoor adventure.

Carson Water Subconservancy District will host its two-day “Get on the Bus!” tour of the Carson River Watershed June 11-12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expert guides will cover topics ranging from water rights, river-restoration projects, and water quality and quantity to floodplain management, regenerative agriculture, and more.

Stuff a cop car with food on May 18

A “Stuff the Cop Car With Food” event will be held at Smith’s Food Food and Drug parking lot in Dayton on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10am until 3pm.

A 63-year-old housekeeper was arrested Thursday for 14 counts of credit card fraud and other offenses after allegedly stealing a credit card belonging to an 86-year-old patient who family members said was being treated for a stroke at a local care facility, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office detective.

Marie Finkes is the director of FitzHenry’s Funeral Home in Carson City, and said that over the past year, there have been 12 bodies under her care that have been subject to extended stays. This is due to the fact that Carson City Public Administrator Scott Hoen has ignored their repeated requests for an electronic signature releasing the body for cremation.

Have you ever wanted to learn the old art of Blacksmithing? Early smiths made wagon parts, handmade tools, shaped ornamental pieces, horseshoes, hinges and just about anything to having to do with working metal into a desired shape or purpose.

Some of our fellow residents enjoying their home on a perfect spring day in Washoe Valley.

Carson City Shorts presents the first-ever Moon Rocks Sci-Fi Short Film Competition, inviting filmmakers from near and far to embark on an interstellar journey of storytelling and imagination. Presented by Silver State Storytellers, this competition challenges participants to create compelling sci-fi short films that push the boundaries of creativity and transport audiences to distant galaxies.

Pioneer Academy in Carson City celebrated their outstanding students at a combined National Honor Society Induction and awards ceremony Thursday, April 25, 2024. Thirty-eight students received awards for attendance, scholarship and excellence in the classroom.

The Virginia Truckee Railroad begins its 49th season on May 25, 2024, with an exciting schedule of both steam and diesel locomotives. The scenic train ride departs daily from the original Virginia City depot where millionaires and miners sought their fortunes 150 years ago.

Carson City School Trustees heard an update regarding the proposed absorption of Pioneer Academy under Carson High School.

Tux: the official Linux mascot

Curious about Linux? Long time user? Join us for the March meeting of the Carson City Linux Users Group. We meet on the third Saturday of each month, and have great information and discussions of interest to any level of experience with Linux.

Sierra Nevada Realtors this week released its April 2024 report on existing home sales in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Storey, Washoe and Churchill counties. This report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

On May 15th, 2024, shortly after midnight, deputies with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence located on the 600 block of Angela Street in Fernley, Nev., reference a caller who reported that he had murdered his mother. The caller additionally provided that he barricaded himself inside the house, was armed with a rifle, and had planted pipe bombs at the residence.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and as part of that, Partnership Carson City (PCC) and OSP Northern Nevada are holding a workshop focused on suicide prevention training.

victorian style parlor with three ladies seated around a table with a tea set

You are invited to join Mrs. Eilley Bowers at Bowers Mansion for the Spring Living History Day. The mansion will be open to visitors for self guided tours featuring local living interpreters who will be sharing demonstrations of life during the 19th century. Also featured will be a historical talk about the mansion at the top of the hour.

Caught this beautiful perspective on Mothers Day.

Meet Matrix, Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week. Matrix, is a delightful 3-year-old pit mix girl who came into our care at the end of April. From the moment she arrived, it was clear she has an incredible affinity for people. Her warm, affectionate nature quickly endears her to everyone she encounters.

The Carson City School District took time at the School Board meeting Tuesday night to recognize 22 individuals with the “Distinguished Student Award.” The student winners were selected by administrators and recognized from their respective schools as having specific qualities, skills and characteristics that distinguished them.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking the public for help in identifying a vehicle and suspect linked to the theft of a catalytic converter earlier this year.

Join the Senator Youth Football Camp for K-8th graders. $80 covers 3-nights of camp from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., June 17, 18, and 19. Led by the CHS high school coaches and players, children will learn techniques for all positions, play games, and compete.

Carson High School Wrestling invites you to our annual Golf Tournament on June 15th, 2024, at Silver Oak Golf Course in Carson City. This event is crucial for our program's success as it serves as our main fundraiser.