Plenty to do on Independence Day in Carson City area

CARNIVAL, FIREWORKS

RSVP is hosting the 25th annual Fourth of July celebration and carnival in Mills Park. The event will offer live music, food, craft vendors, and carnival rides and games for all ages.

This year’s event runs concludes today. All-day carnival wristbands are $30 at the park. Coupons offering a $5 discount are available at the RSVP beer booth.

The carnival runs from noon to 10 p.m. today. Live music by the Heidi Incident will be from 4 to 8. Wild 102.9 will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m.

The fireworks will take place at 9:30 p.m. today. For those attending at the park, a stage and sound system will offer synchronized patriotic musical accompaniment.

RSVP will partner with Cumulus Radio to carry the sound track over Wild 102.9 so anyone with a radio signal can experience the same effect.

Proceeds from the carnival help further RSVP’s mission of providing services to the area’s low-income and homebound seniors.

Main event sponsor is Carson City Toyota. Additional sponsors include Carson City Redevelopment, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Capital Ford, Gold Dust West, Café at Adele’s, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, NV Energy and Alpine Insurance.

For information about the event or becoming a vendor or sponsor, or to find out about RSVP services for seniors, go to http://nevadaruralrsvp.org/, or contact RSVP Fair Manager Anita Moreno at 775-687-4680, ext. 7, or amoreno@nvrsvp.com.

PARADE OF TRAINS

The Nevada State Railroad Museum will be showcasing an all-star lineup of its rolling stock – and giving visitors discounted rates for unlimited train rides.

The museum, which is generally closed on Tuesdays, will be in full operation today. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Parade of Trains will be held this morning.

The Parade of Trains includes the pride of the museum’s collection – its two 1875 wood-burning steam locomotives, the Inyo and the Glenbrook; and the McKeen Motor Car. The No. 25 locomotive will be pulling passengers every day.

Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to purchase an all-inclusive wristband. It includes admission to the museum and unlimited train rides for the day of purchase. The price is $15 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 17 and free to children 3 and younger. Museum members can purchase a wristband for $10.

The McKeen Motor Car will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing visitors to ride both trains. Both the Inyo and the Glenbrook will be making demonstration runs, but don’t take passengers.

Contact the museum at 775-687-6953 x224 for information.

OTHER EVENTS

Independence Day. The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra and the Voices of the Sierra Choral Group will perform a concert of patriotic songs 11:30 a.m. today at Heritage Park in Gardnerville. Information, gardnerville-nv.gov/.

Americana Festival. Genoa’s Americana Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. today at Mormon Station State Historic Park. Games, raffles, food and beverages. Children’s parade begins at 10 a.m.; Sierra Silver Strings perform at 10:45 a.m.; Sage Creek at 11:45 a.m.; Richard Elloyan & Steve Wade perform at 12:45 p.m.; Sierra Sweethearts take the stage at 1:45 p.m.; Slade Rivers Band comes on at 3:45 p.m.; and the Carson City Symphony performs at 4:30 p.m.

Fourth of July. The Town of Minden’s Fourth of July Celebration is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today at Minden Park. Hamburgers and hotdogs available, kids bike parade, balloon creations, bounce house and more. The Kiwanis Aktion Club of Carson Valley will host a beverage booth during the event. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Douglas County Library’s Bookmobile.

Fireworks Shows

Lights on the Lake. Lights on the Lake at South Lake Tahoe is set for 9:45 p.m. today.

The 4th in Virginia City. Virginia City offers an Independence Day experience with a 4th of July parade at noon, raffle and auction, the Comstock Cowboys Second Amendment Concert, old-west shootouts, train rides on the V&T Railroad and a fireworks display at dark.

Red, White and Tahoe Blue Bash. Red, White and Tahoe Blue is today at Incline Village. This event features of 20-plus family activities, including a parade, community parade, the Marine Band of San Diego and fireworks today. Note all events aren’t free. Ticket information is available from event listings on the online calendar. For additional information, call (323) 490-3281.

Reminder: Fireworks are illegal in Douglas County, Washoe County, Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. The penalty for possessing or discharging illegal fireworks is up to $1,000 and six months in jail.

Guy Clifton of Travel Nevada contributed to this story.