Gardnerville opens holiday season with fireworks

Gardnerville is bringing the heat with fireworks for the Carson Valley Christmas Kick Off on Dec. 2.

The first big event of the season attracts hundreds of people to Heritage Park, located at Gillman Avenue and Courthouse Street a block north of Main Street.

Santa will beat the crowds by turning up at 4:30 p.m. Electric carriage rides around the park will keep early arrivals busy as they wait for the live entertainment to start at 5:30 p.m.

The All About Dance Kids, the Sierra Lutheran High School Choir and the Dance Workshop kids are all scheduled to attend.

A musical lightshow and a fireworks display follow the live entertainment.

The town will be offering hot chocolate, hot apple cider and Dutch oven the Gardnerville Water Company will be popping the popcorn at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Town offices at 782-7134.

True to its name, the Christmas Kickoff opens celebrations around Carson Valley, that culminates in the Parade of Lights.

Minden is home to one of the more venerable holiday events scheduled for Dec. 3 this year with the lighting of its iconic gazebo.

The lighting traditionally features a raffle to pick a child to help Santa throw the switch on the lights.

Fire pits, smores and live music performed by school band students liven up the event. Things get rolling around 5 p.m. with the lighting countdown starting at 6 p.m.

The same night, Genoans will be singing Christmas carols in the Town Church starting at 6 p.m. and then will walk down Nixon Street to light up Hope Falcke’s tree and visit with Santa.

The jolly old elf will be back in Nevada’s Oldest Town for three breakfast seatings in the town hall 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 4.

Fortified with pancakes and sausage, visitors will be ready for the return of the 25^thannual Parade of Lights through Gardnerville and Minden.

Produced by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, the parade features illuminated floats, vehicles, and other mobile entries.

Applications to enter are available online at carsonvalleynv.org/parade-of-lights. The entry fee is $50. Award categories are friends and family, government, service club and nonprofit, business, youth, and best overall. For questions or information, contact the Chamber Office at 775-782-8144 or info@carsonvalleynv.org.