Taverns host Friday night party

Owners of three taverns that share a parking lot off Gilman Avenue will be putting on a festival behind their establishments featuring music 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The French Hotel, Buckaroo's Saloon and Rich's Highway Club will be holding the event on Friday night in an effort to get the downtown gathering away from Highway 395.

"We've been working on this for a couple of months," said Steve Orlando, who with French Bar owner Renee Harrington, Rich's owners Rich and Mary Marquez and his Buckaroo's co-owner Barbara Marchand are holding the event. "We have been in close contact with Undersheriff Paul Howell and Capt. Mike Biaggini. They've been very supportive of our plan to try and keep people off the street."

Gardnerville has been the scene of a street party for many years. It has sometimes resulted in violence and arrests and prompted taverns to stop serving alcohol early Saturday morning.

It also resulted in a rule that bans bottles and cans in Gardnerville from 5 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday.

"This year the sheriff's office is allowing us to go until 2 a.m.," Orlando said. "We hope to move a lot of people off the street and into the parking lot, so it doesn't bottle up the street. We just want this to be a good time."

In order to accommodate the party, Courthouse Alley will be closed at 7 p.m.

Sgt. Jim Halsey of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said deputies will be conducting foot patrols throughout the area during the night.

"Violators will be promptly arrested and removed from the crowd," he said.

Halsey said teenagers should not attend the event unless with a parent and are not allowed in any of the bars. Minors are subject to a midnight curfew.

"I wish everyone a safe and happy Carson Valley Days celebration," Sheriff Ron Pierini said. "To those who may consume alcoholic beverages during the weekend, please don't drink and drive."