carnival

The weekend is getting started early. Cinco de Mayo brings out drink specials, parties, and fun throughout the valley. Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is on Sunday, so head to Carson Mall for something special or swing by the Elks Club after 4 p.m. to grab tickets for their Champagne Brunch. The RSVP Spring Carnival kicks off tonight with family night: all rides are a dollar.

Empty Bowls Carson City will hold its first bowl painting event of the year this Saturday, May 7 during the RSVP Spring Celebration at Mills Park. Bowl painting begins at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to help in the effort.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. The basic premise is simple: Potters and other craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls.

A “Salute to Spring” will be the theme of the 31st annual RSVP Spring Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park in Carson City.

It all begins on Thursday, May 5, with Dollar Night, where every ride is just $1. The fun continues at the carnival on Friday and throughout the weekend, when Wold Amusements Carnival has special all-day ride passes for $30.

Eighteenth Century English poet William Cowper once wrote that variety is the spice of life.

In Carson City, both variety and spice can be found together in one place at Sassafras Electic Food Joint, currently located on the Carson Hot Springs Resort property at 1500 Old Hot Springs Road.

Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. This year, the theme acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, which helps to stabilize neighborhoods and downtowns, contributes to public education, attracts investment, creates jobs, generates tax revenues, supports small business and affordable housing, and powers Nevada’s heritage tourism industry.

The organizers of the annual Nevada Day celebration are considering changing the course of the parade to move from south to north on Carson Street.

The staff of Nevada Day, Inc. met on Tuesday with Carson CIty officials to go over the planned changes for the parade. The basic outlines for the plan have the parade starting on South Carson Street at 10th Street, continuing north before taking a right turn on William Street, and ending at the intersection with Stewart Street.

Three-year-old Ethan Lopez guesses how many M&M’s are in the jar at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Mardi Gras Day/BGC Night Out Carnival on Friday, March 11, 2016 in Carson City. In the second photo, Tiandra Rushing of the Boys and Girls Club and 6-year-old Aylivia Darwich have their picture taken in the photo booth.

Ready to blow off some steam? Carson City offers some great ways to let the workweek fade away. If it’s date night, check out the great deal on Comedy and Wine at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget. Enjoy some rhythm and blues with Catfish Carl at Bella Fiore or explore your inner artist at Mona Lisa and Wine. A Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint favorite, Groove Session, is back for another fun show.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada will be throwing open its doors to the public next week to celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, with events each evening March 7 – 12, Monday through Friday, beginning at 4 p.m. each day. The Club is located at 1870 Russell Way in Carson City.

Nevada’s New Year’s resolution is to ensure that travelers go home with more stories than souvenirs. With the lineup of events scheduled in early 2016, that is sure to ring true. As always, Nevada will offer fun, unique events for visitors of all interests and ages that will guarantee unforgettable experiences. Kick off the New Year at one of these Nevada-only events:

With Halloween festivities celebrated Friday in Carson City and Nevada Day arriving Saturday, Carson City experienced very few problems associated with festivities, sheriff Ken Furlong said.

“This weekend was an enormous success in that we had very few incidents to speak of requiring intervention during the parade, during Halloween activities and during the carnival,” said Furlong. “With the number of very well organized activities, families, participants and viewers had a lot of fun without crossing the line. I’m really pleased with that.”

Are you ready for this? Nevada Day weekend has arrived and brings with it a downtown filled with friends, neighbors, and fun. Hot air balloons, the annual beard contest, the parade, tours of the Governor’s Mansion, and more make this time of year amazing. The carnival at Mills Park, and the Pow-Wow at the Carson Colony take the festivities to the next level.

SATURDAY: PARADE DAY!

• Nevada Day Classic 8K Run/Walk (same day registration: $40 from 6:30am-7:30am on the second floor of the Carson Nugget Casino; 8am racers begin at Telegraph Square: W. Telegraph and N. Curry Streets; costumes encouraged)
• BAWN Pancake Breakfast Buffet at Red’s Old 395 (6am-10am; $6/$3 kids)

FRIDAY: Nevada Day Observed and Trick or Treat Night in Carson City ONLY
•*NAA Art Exhibit by Mark Kyle and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
•*Free Admission to the Nevada State Museum (8:30am-4:30pm; coin press demonstrations 10:30am-12pm AND 1-3pm)
•*Free Admission to the Nevada State Railroad Museum (9am-4:30pm; McKeen Motorcar Rides $8, $4 kids 10am-4pm)
•*Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)

Here’s the 2015 Nevada Day event lineup and Halloween happenings, Thursday through Sunday. For all Halloween events go here. For everything Nevada Day, check out the official Nevada Day website here. Otherwise, see the event listing below.

THURSDAY
RSVP NEVADA DAY CARNIVAL, MILLS PARK IN CARSON CITY
Carnival rides for adults and children, live music, food booths, craft vendors & more. Hours: 10/29: 5pm - 9pm; 10/30-31: Noon - 9pm; 11/1: Noon - 8pm

The kids can get a jump start on the Halloween festivities today at the Carson Tahoe Medical Center. The annual Spooktacular Stroll is a fun time not to be missed. Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel or win your sweetheart a prize at the RSVP Carnival that opens today at Mills Park. It’s Family Night, so all rides are only one dollar. Enjoy dancing with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life or learn to salsa dance at El Charro’s. Celebrate your October birthday at Carson Cigar Co. with music by the Trippin King Snakes.

THURSDAY:

This week marks the 30th year that Nevada Rural Counties Retired Senior Volunteer Program, also known as RSVP, hosts a Nevada Day Carnival at Mills Park in Carson City.

Festivities begin Thursday with “Family Night” from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. where all rides are $1 each courtesy of Carson-City Toyota Scion.

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

One last weekend until Nevada Day, and the ghosts and ghouls are coming out of the woodwork. Learn our haunted history with the Downtown Ghost Walk. For thrills and chills, don’t miss the Second Annual Carson Creepy Short Horror Film Competition in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall. For a complete list of all Halloween activities this week go here.

SATURDAY:

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

Friday Oct. 23:
-- Carson City Pumpkin Patch at Red Horse Ranch: 4849 Cochise St (10am-6pm; free admission)
-- Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival with Hay Slide, Kiddie Land Straw Maze, Farm Animals and more at Corley Ranch: 859 Highway 395 South, Gardnerville (11am-4pm; free admission on weekdays)

Halloween has arrived, and with it a week full of fun activities that are family friendly.

Friday Oct. 23:
-- Carson City Pumpkin Patch at Red Horse Ranch: 4849 Cochise St (10am-6pm; free admission)
-- Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival with Hay Slide, Kiddie Land Straw Maze, Farm Animals and more at Corley Ranch: 859 Highway 395 South, Gardnerville (11am-4pm; free admission on weekdays)

This year, 2015 marks the 30th year that Nevada Rural Counties Retired Senior Volunteer Program, also known as RSVP, hosts a Nevada Day Carnival at Mills Park in Carson City.

Kicking off the festivities will be “Family Night” on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. where all rides are $1 each courtesy of Carson-City Toyota Scion.

This year RSVP will host its first “Days of Service” event at Mills Park along with our regular Nevada Days Carnival and Celebration. The carnival begins Thursday, Oct. 29 and ends Monday, Nov. 1, 2015. The “Days of Service” will be Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Ready, set, GO! Whether you want to watch camels race, or hot air balloons light up the sky, this is a great weekend in Northern Nevada. If cool cars are more your style, join the Freaks of Nature Car Club at a show and shine in the parking lot of Yogurt Beach in North Carson. It’s root, root, root for the home team as the WNC Wildcats play a double header at Harvey Field.

SATURDAY:

Planes, trains, and automobiles await! The Nevada State Railroad Museum features rides on the McKeen Motor Car this weekend. Don’t miss out on a trip to Virginia City via the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train: locals get a discount on Sundays when they book online. Ormsby Post Acute Care is hosting a classic car show for their residents, so if you have an automobile that fits the bill, please head on over. The Minden-Tahoe Airport is the home to Aviation Roundup Air Show this weekend. You won’t want to miss the USAF Thunderbird Flight Team. Also on some fierce wheels this Sunday are the Carson Victory Rollers. Our roller derby team is hosting a scrimmage and collecting donations of school supplies at the Community Center.

SUNDAY: Last Day of Jazz and Beyond

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• Quicksilver Agility Club’s Dog Agility Trials at Fuji Park

Hold on to your hats, Carson City, summer isn’t ready to quit us just yet. An aviation air show at the Minden Airport, the coin show and fair at the Nevada State Museum, and a fishing derby for the kids at Little Washoe Lake are only the tip of the iceberg. The Pavilion at Mills Park is where you’ll find the annual Carson High Football Boosters Fundraising BBQ. The Quicksilver Dog Agility Trials are always fun to watch, and they’ll be at Fuji Park all weekend. Carson Lanes has family fun indoors and out all day long during their Bowling Blast-off.

There are less than two weeks left until Nevada Humane Society’s Duck Race and Festival. Adopt now then join in on the fun on August 23. Adoption fees are just $5 for rubber ducks with all proceeds benefitting homeless pets. Adoption locations include:

From livestock showings to face painting and weaving, the Nevada Fair in Carson City attracts thousands to learn about Nevada culture and spend time in the community.

The four day event features livestock exhibits, local food vendors, carnival rides, games and live entertainment. Guests can park at Casino Fandango to be shuttled to the fair location at the Fairgrounds in Fuji Park. Tickets for an all day ride wristband can be purchased at the fair. Festivities began Thursday and will continue through Sunday.

I apologize, Carson City. You have some decisions to make. There is quite a bit going on whether you want something family friendly, adults only, indoors, outdoors, or a combination of it all. The weekly Farmers Market at Third and Curry St. is always a good way to start the weekend. Yummy food, a bounce house for the kids, and beautiful flowers are hard to argue with. Keep reading for enough fun to make your head spin!

SATURDAY:

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• 21st Annual Silver Dollar Car Classic at Mills Park (8am-4pm show and shine, music, and vendors; Registration 8am-11am; Pancake Breakfast 8am-10:30am; Judging until 4pm)

The weekend has arrived and it’s bringing a plethora of activity with it. Car lovers will want to head to the Silver Dollar Car Classic at the Max Casino, known as the Carson Station just a few days ago. The Classic moves to Mills Park for the weekend. If the Mustangs and Broncos you prefer are horses, rather than Fords, you’ll want to grab a ticket to the Bull Riding Competition at the State Fair. Carnival rides, circus performances, and live music will keep everyone entertained. Make sure to catch the shuttle from the Casino Fandango parking garage: parking at Fuji Park is extremely limited. ‘Break a leg’ to the cast of Peter Pan. Youth Theater Carson City opens tonight at the Community Center.

FRIDAY: Full Moon Tonight:

• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

The Nevada Fair at Fuji Park is officially open. Reno Aces mascot Archie cut the ribbon at noon on Thursday, flanked by fair organizers and members of the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

Returning for the second year, the Nevada Fair runs today through Sunday. The premium book is open at NevadaFair.com for entries in the livestock shows as well as other competitions, including home arts, cooking, homespun items and sewing. There's also carnival rides.