Getting ready for Carson Valley Days

There's less than a week to go before the 99th annual Carson Valley Days celebration begins and preparations are already under way.

Reduced rate tickets books for the carnival are available until it opens to the public on Thursday. Carson Valley buttons are for sale around the Valley. Folks supporting the Carson Valley Community Food Closet are selling rubber ducks and the Carson Valley Art Association is looking for artists to participate in their show over the Carson Valley Days weekend.

Founded by H.F. Dangberg in 1910 to show off Carson Valley to visitors arriving by train, Carson Valley Days is Douglas County's oldest and biggest party.

The defining event is the annual parade from Minden Park to Lampe Park held on June 13 this year. Highway 395 from Buckeye Road to Waterloo Lane is closed 8 a.m. to noon to make way for the parade, whose theme is Carson Valley Days past. Before the parade, there's a run and a balloon launch.

Members of the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club are raffling off a chance at the balloon ride. There's going to be lots to see and do next week, here's the basics.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley are selling the 2009 edition of the Carson Valley Days button for $1. The tradition of wearing Carson Valley Days buttons saves the wearer from being thrown in "jail" at the Carson Valley Days parade on June 13. Buttons are $2 at the parade. Proceeds benefit community service projects sponsored by Soroptimist International of Carson Valley. Buttons are available at the Gardnerville Ranchos 7-Eleven, Ace Hardware, Bank of America in Raley's, Buckaroos, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Carson Valley Inn front desk, Carson Valley Market, Carson Valley Medical Center, Changes, City National Bank, Curves, Douglas County Treasurer's Office, Douglas Disposal, French Hotel, Historian Inn, Home Treasures Gift Shop inside the Carson Valley Inn, J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room, Lira's Market, Northern Nevada Title, Raley's, Ranchos Pizza Factory, Ruby Rose, Scolari's, Shear Heaven Salon, Three Rooms Gallery, Two Guys from Italy, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo and World Gym.

Carson Valley Community Food Closet is selling ducks decked out in motorcycle outfits for the annual Duck Race at Lampe Park on June 14. Ducks are $5 each or a "6-Quack" for $25. Prizes are still being donated by local businesses. Volunteers will be selling ducks at the Minden Street Fair Saturday and Sunday. They are also available at Job's Peak Veterinary Office at 1454 Southgate Drive in Gardnerville, at Scolari's Market, through Pat Cardinal at Re/Max Realty at 1320 Highway 395, Carson City Harley-Davidson/Buell at 2900 Research Way, Carson City, Candles and Crafts at 1540 Highway 395, Suite 2, and at the Carson Valley Community Food Closet at 1244 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville, phone 782-3711.

Pre-sale carnival tickets are available at Raley's and Nevada State Bank for for $17. The carnival opens on Wednesday with free rides for special needs children. Anyone interested in participating should call Brian Deaton at 220-8046. Thursday is two-for-one night. Davidson said pre-sale tickets aren't eligible for the deal. Tickets at the carnival will be $22 for unlimited rides.

The 20-30 Club is raffling off a chance to ride on the balloon for $5 a ticket or five tickets for $20. Anyone seeking tickets should contact secretary Tommy Lovell at (775) 313-6913.

The Carson Valley Days Art Show starts receiving artists' work 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. The show opens 9 a.m. June 12 and runs through 3 p.m. June 14. Show details and registration forms are available at the local galleries; or pdf files can be obtained from martooni@wildblue.net.

n The Douglas County Builders Industry Association and the Partnership for Community Resources is auctioning off a playhouse. Tickets are on sale June 12 and 13. For information contact Carole Thompson at 783-1782.

The Partnership of Community Resources is hosting a pasta feed 5-7 p.m. June 12 at Douglas High School. Dinner includes a variety of pastas and sauces, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, and free admission of kids 3 and under.

• The Partnership is hosting its second annual 10K, 5K Walk, Jog, Run event, the participants of which vanguard the Carson Valley Days parade. On-site registration for the event begins at 6 a.m. The 10K run starts at 8 a.m. from the corner of Orchard Road and Bently Parkway, and the 5K run starts at Minden Elementary School at 8:15 a.m. The two parties will eventually merge and continue down Buckeye Road, then turn left on Highway 395 and take the lead of the parade coming from Minden Park. For information, call 782-8611.

Minden Ranch Rodeo is 5 p.m. June 13 and 10 a.m. June 14 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Proceeds benefit Kiwanis sponsored youth organizations.

• The 2009 Carson Valley Jail & Bail to benefit the March of Dimes is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. For more information about the Carson Valley Jail & Bail or how you can get involved, contact Victoria Crockett at (775) 826-2166 or e-mail VCrockett@marchofdimes.com.

• The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Carson Valley Active 20/30 Club will co-sponsor the first Carson Valley Days Golf Tournament on June 12 at the Carson Valley Golf Course. Space is still available. The cost for individual players is $85 and $340 for a foursome. Hole sponsorships are available for $100, or a package including a foursome and a hole sponsorship is $400. To register to play, find out about all of the sponsorship opportunities or provide a raffle prize, contact the chamber at 782-8144 or info@carsonvalleynv.org.