It's Candy Dance time

The weather will be perfect for eating candy, buying trinkets and baubles and dancing at the 86th Genoa Candy Dance and Arts and Crafts Faire starting Saturday and ending Sunday.

"We expect 35,000 to 40,000 people with the nice weather predicted," said Genoa Town Manager Tom Peters about the sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s predicted for the weekend.

"People are optimistic and want to come out and have a good time," he said.

Peters said there are 350 arts and crafts booths and 35 food vendors at this year's Candy Dance.

Peters said the event features entertainment for the whole family and that people could get a head start on their holiday shopping.

"It's a good value because it's free admission," Peters said. "We're working hard to make it a clean and safe environment."

Genoa residents have been working since mid-August to make 4,500 pounds of candy, peanut brittle and fudge that will be sold at a booth in Mormon State Park.

Genoa's first Candy Dance was held in 1919 to raise money for streetlights and has continued since as a big source of the town's revenue. And matter how much candy is made by residents, it sells outs almost every year.

Tickets are still available for the Candy Dance held from 6 - 10 p.m. tomorrow at the Orchard House on Main Street. As many as 500 people are expected for the barbecue dinner and dance with music by Buffalo County.

Dinner and dance tickets are $25. Admission is $15 for the dance only.

The craft fair is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday at Genoa Town Park on Nixon Street, the Mormon Station Historic State Park on Main and Genoa streets.

Roads will be closed at Foothill Road and Muller Lane and Jacks Valley Road and Highway 395 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Parking is $5 per vehicle at the three entrances to Genoa. A free shuttle with handicap-equipped service is available from these parking areas to town.

Shuttle services are also available starting at 8 a.m. from the Carson Valley Inn and Douglas High School parking lots. Bus service continues throughout both days of the event.

Except for dogs (or training dogs) for impaired/handicapped use, pets are not allowed in the Genoa Town or Mormon Station parks.

For more information, call the Genoa Town Office at 782-8696.

Recommended routes to Candy Dance:

n From Carson City and Reno: Travel south on Highway 395 to Genoa Lane.

n From Minden: Take Highway 395 north to Muller Lane or go south on Highway 88 to Mottsville Lane and then turn north on Foothill Road.

n From South Lake Tahoe: Travel east over Kingsbury Grade and turn north at Foothill Road.