Summer concerts slated for July, August in Mills Park

Carson City residents may be tapping their feet and rocking Mills Park this summer, as plans for an eight-concert music series are shaping up for the Pony Express Pavilion, city officials said Friday.

The event will be organized by Upstage Theater and Genoa's Sierra Starlight Concert Series promoter John Procaccini and is expected to run from June to August.

One concert per weekend will begin the night of June 13, opening day of the Carson City Rendezvous. The final concert would be on the last night of the Silver Dollar Car Classic on Aug. 3, said Joe McCarthy, Carson City's economic development and redevelopment manager.

"This will be the true vanguard of our event series promotions," McCarthy said.

The city's Redevelopment Authority is working with Procaccini and several potential sponsors for the event. McCarthy said he expects the series will attract some well-known performers. Procaccini could not be reached Friday for comment.

Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee members talked in January about converting the pavilion by possibly by adding acoustic improvements, to host concert events. McCarthy estimated the Redevelopment Authority may have to pitch in from $1,000 to $2,000 for the improvements.

The pavilion could seat up to 2,000 people, but for concerts would most likely attract 1,200.

If the concert series materializes, Mills Park should be buzzing with activity in June and July. The Carson City Rendezvous is a three-day event that features American Indian reenactments, Civil War encampments and skirmishes, a Pony Express reenactment, a gunfighters stunt show and many more events. Activities will run from June 13 to 15.

The Silver Dollar Car Classic will run from July 31 to Aug. 3 and include cars and motorcycles of all kinds. Saturday during the Show & Shine, car owners will display their prize possessions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park.

McCarthy also said the city still is working on bringing a high-end movie theater to downtown.

"We're continuing having conversations with quality regional cinemas," McCarthy said.

The theaters in question would bring an eight- to 10-screen theater to downtown. McCarthy said the cinema development may include other compatible businesses and additional downtown parking.