Carson City's annual Tree Lighting Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights spreads the holiday joy
The crowds braved the cold Friday night to ring in the 35th year of tree lighting in Carson City.
Carson City's annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights kicked off with the traditional tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on the Nevada State Capitol grounds.
Along with the tree lighting, there was caroling by Carson City School District 5th graders on the capitol steps, sleigh rides, hot cocoa, cookies and cider. The event had plenty of holiday joy to go around.
The Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights was born out of the gas crisis in 1988 that darkened local streets to save energy. Local citizens under the direction of Marilyn Lewis wanted to assure residents that, no matter what, some joy could be brought to all by lighting up the downtown.
Funded by Carson City Redevelopment Authority, the Carson City Chamber organized this Christmas event since 2014 after taking over the reins from Maxine and Fred Nietz.
The event had about 500 fifth graders from our elementary schools who sang wonderful Christmas songs. Santa and the Grinch also mingled with the kids and posed for photos after the event.
The annual event was a great way to showcase Carson City's Christmas spirit.