Christmas season kicks off with annual Festival of Lights in Carson City

The Christmas season in Carson City will get a well-lit start at the 25th annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the steps of the Capitol.

The event is sponsored by Carson City Redevelopment Authority as part of its efforts to showcase the downtown core and bring families together to enjoy the advent of the holiday season.

Mayor Robert Crowell will serve as Master of Ceremonies as he welcomes Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki to officially light the state Christmas tree and flip the switch to transform the downtown into a winter wonderland.

“There is no greater time than the holidays to promote family values and the benefit of living in a community where people care about each other and work together. To create a sense of community and belonging is so important in today’s world,” Crowell said.

Children from the Carson City School District fifth grade music classes will sing Christmas carols.

“We’ve been preparing since mid-October. The kids and their families love the tree lighting. It’s a wonderful community event that brings us all out to enjoy the magic of the season. When I first started teaching, we were lucky to have 100 people attend; that was counting the audience and singers. Now, it’s the beginning of many families’ holidays. We enjoy being part of it,” said Mary Law, a music teacher who has participated in the event since it began.

Carson City Elks Lodge No. 2177 will provide free hot chocolate in front of the Capitol, where Santa, who will arrive in a 1927 Seagrave fire truck provided by Warren Engine Company No. 1, will be giving out candy canes.

Following the state tree lighting ceremony, the mayor, accompanied by the Carson High School Chamber Choir, will proceed to the corner of Musser and Nevada streets to light the city tree.

The Carson Middle School Band will perform Christmas music as part of Empty Bowls, a project at Telegraph Square that collects donations by selling hot soup by local restaurants. Proceeds support Friends in Service Helping.

Children under 12 can enjoy free ice skating at the Arlington Square Ice Rink, where representative of the Elks Lodge and the Downtown Business Association will serve cookies, coffee and hot chocolate, and Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers will perform.

The Carson City Chamber is coordinating the event this year after the retirement of long-time coordinators Fred and Maxine Nietz announced their retirement.