Carson City’s Fandango handles fair parking dance again

The Nevada Fair in Carson City, going into its second year, is handling parking for most people the same way as in 2014, but there are a few differences.

Free parking will once again be provided at the Casino Fandango with shuttle bus service by the JAC bus system.

“It’s great that both the free parking and fairgrounds are on a JAC bus route,” explained Patrick Pittenger, Carson City’s transportation manager. “The shuttles did a fine job for us last year.”

Pittenger said those who attend the event at the Old Clear Creek Road fairgrounds during the day will be using buses running a regular route along Curry Street just west of the casino and east of the Fandango theater complex, with additional buses again this year along that route and extended service into the evening and nights as the fair runs its course. This year’s fair is being held July 30-Aug. 2.

Last year’s fair was a Nevada Sesquicentennial event, and Casino Fandango leadership stepped up to help resolve the parking problem for the bulk of fairgoers and their vehicles, a plan that proved successful and is being repeated.

Scott Fahrenbruch, deputy director with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said despite that similar plan there are some changes at the park and fairgrounds this time around.

“There will be approximately 20 designated handicapped parking spaces available on Old Clear Creek Road throughout the event,” he said, “and unlimited free handicap parking in the fairgrounds arena main parking lot for those in vehicles appropriately marked to park in handicap parking stalls.”

He said there are also some parking passes being sold.

“A limited amount of parking passes will be available for purchase for $20 each for those who do not want to take the free shuttle bus service from the Casino Fandango to and from the fair,” he said. He said 100 passes have been made available for purchase at City Hall.

Fahrenbruch said those passes would give a person with one of them access to park at the fairgrounds arena main parking lot throughout the four-day event.

The parking passes were made available through the Carson City Treasurer’s Office at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St., starting July 6. Check with City Hall to see if any passes remain.

There’s no entry charge, but financial donations are welcome. The event that will begin on Thursday and will run through Sunday will offer livestock exhibits, arts and crafts competitions, food and fun that includes aspects of such Nevada staples as agriculture, mining and culture.