Silver and Snowflakes: How the Grinch won Christmas in Carson City

Carson City was so full of Christmas spirit Friday night the Grinch joined in the fun.

Mid-way through the Carson City fifth-grade students singing performance on the steps of the Capitol, the Grinch showed up.

By the end of the fifth graders’ performance, the Grinch was dancing, full of Christmas spirit.

And, despite temperatures hovering around freezing, the rest of Carson City was in the spirit.

The spirit spread down to the new McFladden Plaza for holiday performances after the annual tree lighting.

“I’ve lived here for 16 years and this is my first time,” said Arlene Larsen. “I’m from San Francisco and the Carson City community outdoes it. I love the small town vibe.”

The plaza was among the new features of Silver and Snowflakes said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

“The lights are better than ever and we launched the horse buggy rides,” she said. “Our goal is to add something new to the festival every year. It’s a gift to the community.”

Meanwhile, at the First Presbyterian Church on Musser Street, locals warmed up inside for a great cause occurring internationally: the Empty Bowls Project.

At least 767 locally handcrafted bowls — including some from previous years — were sold to raise awareness and money in the fight to end hunger. Locally, the event raises money for Friends In Service Helping (FISH) and completed its fourth year.

With each donation comes a warm bowl of soup. At least 17 local restaurants participated.

“They’re a huge part of this success,” said FISH Executive Director Jim Peckham. “It’s the community that brings it all together.”

Even volunteers were proud to be serving food to their fellow Carson City neighbors.

“I just moved from Las Vegas,” said Julie Blanchette, volunteer. “It didn’t have a community like this. That’s why I was inspired to do this. It helps those in need.”

Blanchette wasn’t the only new volunteer to the festival. Suzanne Baker, volunteering for Carson City Art & Pottery, moved to Carson City last year from Aromas, Calif.

“I’m inspired by this kind of volunteer work,” she said. “It represents feeding and supporting humanity.”

Overall, the turnout of this year’s festival has increased, according to Hannaman.

With that, it proves crowds will continue to grow at the festival every year, as many celebrated with the community for the first time.

“This is my first time at the event out of the five years I’ve been living in Carson City,” said Lisa Wedge. “The program is a reminder of my childhood growing up in Connecticut. It has renewed my Christmas spirit.”