Carson Valley unmasked and ready for fun

At Tuesday’s Esmeralda Farmers Market, a woman was showing off a pencil drawing done by a street artist of herself that was missing one thing.

There wasn’t a mask.

“Carson Valley is back!” organizer Roxanne Stangle said not just about the market, but of the events that traditionally bring residents together.

Stangle said the market had 22 vendors on its first day, and should be up to 26, by next week, more than twice the number that started out last year.

“This is our 19^th year and so many of (the vendors) have been with us for the whole 19 years,” Stangle said. “Carson Valley supports this very well.”

The first farmers market of the season was well attended, with residents buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and even meat.

“We’re lucky that we start about the same time every year,” Stangle said. “It’s a small town, and word still spreads around. People are ready to be outside, and what a gorgeous day. We’re ready to go.”

While the music fell through for Tuesday’s event, Douglas High School senior and guitar player Jakota Wass will be jamming at the market next week.

The Main Street Farmers Market presented by Sierra Chef started the season Wednesday morning in Heritage Park.

“We have amazing vendors out here offering fruit, meat eggs honey, oils and snacks … everything really,” Cynthia Ferris-Bennett said. “We’ll be adding more and more vendors as we go along. We’ve probably got seven more vendors coming in next week.”

The market is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday.

Both the farmers markets will run through the summer, wrapping up in September.

Main Street Gardnerville is hosting its first Third Thursday Wine Walk 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Wine walkers can register at Gardnerville Station in the S-Curve or at Big Daddy’s Bikes & Brews on the other end of town.

The event often includes music and will feature beer and food trucks. The cost is $20, and includes a commemorative glass. Those who still have their glasses with the light blue logo get $5 off.

For those looking for a chaser from the Wine Walk, the first Bently Nevada Family Summer Concert will feature Hot Buttered Rum 6 p.m. Friday.

The self-described souped-up, left-coast string band will be brewing bluegrass, folk, jazz and soul into Americana at the free concert in Minden Park.

Four more concerts are scheduled through the summer with dates of June 18, July 9, Aug. 6 and Aug. 27.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Douglas County Fairgrounds will be rumbling with the sound of monster trucks.

The Monster Truck Nitro Tour comes to Gardnerville 7:30 pm. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. There’s a pre-event pit party.