The crew at Store-All pose for a photo with their entry into the coffin race at the 2019 Fall festival. The Gardnerville company is celebrating their 50th year in business.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
The leaves are turning and the breezes are chilling, it’s that time of year for coffins, scarecrows and a good scare.
Main Street Gardnerville kicks off the season with the return of their Annual Fall Festival complete with the Slaughterhouse Lane Coffin race and Scarecrow Festival 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Park.
“Our event last year was sadly canceled due to gathering restrictions,” said Main Street Gardnerville Media Contact Jen Nalder. “This year we are really looking forward to bringing it back and providing a fun, free event for the community that the whole family can enjoy.”
Nalder said Main Street Gardnerville’s Slaughterhouse Lane Coffins Races have been an annual event going back to 2015. The teams are comprised of a team of five; four “Pallbearers” and a “Driver.”
Coffins do not have to be anything more than the “Bare Bones” as long as it can race.
Main Street Gardnerville will host over 30 local vendors and non-profit organizations with special performances by local musicians, Mo’s Motley Blues, Jakota Wass, Mikie Rae, NV Order 66 and False Rhythm Reggae Band. Local talents from the Dance Workshop, All About Dance, The Basquitos-Basque Dancers, and Northwest Martial Arts will also provide entertainment throughout the day.
The Carson Valley FFA presents a petting zoo during the event and The Heritage Park Gardens will be open with a full day of kid friendly activities including Critters in the Corn and rock painting. Back in the park get creative and build a life size scarecrow with the East Fork Gallery. “We are proud to have combined our efforts with the East Fork Gallery who hosts their annual Scarecrow Festival, to create a community event that now offers a local vendor marketplace and a day filled with music and entertainment by local artists,” said Nalder.
The East Fork Gallery has held the annual Scarecrow Festival for over 30 years in the Carson Valley.
“The Scarecrow Festival is a favorite Carson Valley ‘happening’ often attended by repeat customers and many generations, often attracting adults who participated as children bringing their own children and grandchildren,” said East Fork Gallery Member and Artist Janis Powell. “Regardless of one’s traditions, it is a most enjoyable event.”
The East Fork Gallery, now celebrating over 40 years in Gardnerville collected clothing and created scarecrow kits for the event. Each kit is $20, which includes stuffing, clothing and faces to create a life size scarecrow to display throughout the season.
Sign in for the Coffin Race begins at 9 a.m. with the parade of coffins at 9:45 a.m.
The Coffin race will run from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and awards presented at 12:30 p.m.
Registration for a coffin team is $50. To sign up a team go online to Main Street Gardnerville’s website or bring cash or check the day of the event. The Coffin registration booth is positioned on Ezell Street near Heritage Park Gardens.
Tahoe Youth & Family Services’ Costume Shack will be at Fall Fest this year.
“Enjoy the event, select a repurposed costume, and donate to support mental health and substance misuse individual and group counseling for children, youth, and families,” said Tahoe Youth and Family Services Board President Cheryl Bricker.
For information call 775-782-4202 or visit www.tahoeyouth.org.
Main Street Gardnerville is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to revitalize downtown Gardnerville utilizing design, organizations, promotions and district vitality to develop the unique identity and preserve the historic nature of our community. For more information visit www.mainstreetgardnerville.com
