The chestnuts will be roasting and the cider hot during the Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff, scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Gardnerville's Heritage Park.
Carriage rides around the park will be provided by Hoofbeats. The Carson Valley Middle School Band will play and it's all free, according to Carol Louthan, administrative assistant for the town of Gardnerville.
"We thought it would be a nice event to give a little back to the community," she said.
Carson Valley Community Theater will be performing a play titled, "There's No Time Like the Presents," and Santa is expected to make an appearance.
"Most of the entertainment will be over by a little after 6 p.m.," Louthan said. "If people want to stick around after that, we have heaters, and fire barrels where people can warm their hands."
Last year, people seemed to enjoy roasting the chestnuts and many stayed after the entertainment was over. She's hoping for good weather this year.
"A lot of people bring their kids to see Santa," she said. "He's coming in on a carriage and we'll be turning the lights on at the pavilion."
The pavilion lights will be on every night from then until after Christmas, Louthan said.
