Countdown to Carson Valley Days

The 76^th annual Carson Valley Days Parade is less than a month away, and it will be served up with all the trimmings this year.

The annual celebration is scheduled for June 10-13 and includes a parade on June 12 that closes Highway 395 from Buckeye Road to Waterloo Lane through Minden and Gardnerville.

“We are looking to be operating full go for Carson Valley Days,” a spokesman for the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club said Wednesday. “We should see the return of the games we've had in the past including the arm wrestling, children's activities, horseshoes and corn hole.”

The event includes a carnival and craft fair in Lampe Park. Applications for vendors and the parade are available online at www.carsonvalley2030.com

Organizers urged anyone interested in participating to apply as soon as possible.

First held in 1910, the event is designed to show off the two Carson Valley towns and is a tribute to the Valley’s agricultural heritage.

Twenty-Thirtians have been conducting Carson Valley Days for more than 80 years. A parade has been part of the celebration since 1946. While most of the auxiliary events succumbed to the coronavirus outbreak last year, a vehicle parade continued the 75-year tradition.

The theme for this year’s parade is “In a Valley Far Far Away,” a tribute to “Star Wars.”

In recognition, Carson Valley Lions are selling buttons for the event recreating the classic poster for the 1977 film.

Buttons are $2 each or two for $3 at Raley’s, Nevada State Bank, JT Basque Bar & Dining Room, Accolades Trophies and Battle Born Wines, or you can call Ron Santi at 775-315-2354.

Sign-ups are available now for the Tahoe Youth & Family Services Moving for Recovery 5K run, which will precede the parade on June 12. Runners and walkers can sign up at www.100milesforrecovery.com.

Boy Scout Troop 33 will be managing the rental, installation and removal of Carson Valley Days banners.

The program helps to fund the Scouts going to summer camp, spokesman John Hefner said.

Scouts lease the banners to area businesses for the parade and then take them down.

Scouts will be contacting businesses this month and any choosing to participate will work with the Scout on where and how they want the banner to be displayed. The banners go up on or about June 5 and come down June 14. Banners are $50 each. Many choose more than one banner to help celebrate.

“Scouts learn salesmanship, installation and time management skills while working toward their own financial goals,” Hefner said. “The payments do not go directly to a Scout. The funds go into a bank account and are managed by the adults of the troop to pay for the intended purpose.”

Interested businesses may visit www.carsonvalleydaysbanners.com and complete the request form. Hefner reminded participants to click the link on the pay to process the donation. Businesses may email Hefner at csmjvh@hotmail.com for information.

Registration is open for the Carson Valley Days Golf Tournament scheduled for June 10.

Visit the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce’s web site at www.carsonvalleynv.org.