Parade of Lights climax of today's holiday events

The 14th annual Parade of Lights winds its way through Gardnerville and Minden tonight, closing Highway 395 along its route.

Featuring more than 40 floats, honor guards, car clubs and marching bands, the parade starts at 5 p.m., but don't wait until then to get a spot.

The highway and all side streets will close at 4:30 p.m., according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. While portions of the highway will reopen as the parade passes through town, the Minden square of Esmeralda and Mono avenues and Fifth and Sixth streets will remain closed for the duration of the event, which wraps up at 7:30 p.m.

Holiday events are going on all over Carson Valley.

* Genoa is hosting a breakfast with Santa Claus this morning until 11 a.m.

* The Douglas County Historical Society Holiday Gala is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. The event features the Gallery of Trees display.

* Minden's German Marketplace, which will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Minden.

* A holiday toy exhibit at the Dangberg Home Ranch noon to 4 p.m. Call 783-9417 or visit parks.nv.gov/hr.htm for more information.

* "Scrooge, the Musical," is being performed 7 p.m. today at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.

* The Carson Valley Arts Council's Parade of Lights party is 4 p.m. at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center in Minden.