Gardnerville residents celebrated the start of the Christmas season with fireworks and the lighting of their gazebo on Thursday night.
Jay Aldrich | Special to The R-C
Freezing weather, pouring rain and even snow may have affected attendance but not the spirit at Thursday night’s Gardnerville Christmas Kickoff at Heritage Park.
Children and families lined up to see Santa, waited for popcorn and hot coco and warmed by the firepits watching All About Dance prance and dance to Christmas songs.
“We come every year, we love it,” said Emily Tobias who attended the event with family and friends. “We enjoyed the carriage ride and the fireworks are the highlight. It’s an amazing event.”
It was the sixth fireworks show put on by the Town of Gardnerville to ring in the season.
Just as the fireworks started, the snow eased off just a little to give them a magic glow as they lit up the sky.
“We loved the fireworks and seeing Santa,” said 7-year-old Jordyn Dunkin.
Jordyn’s mother Nicky Dunkin said this was their second year attending the Gardnerville gazebo lighting since moving to the area.
“It’s a lot of fun and we really enjoy it,” she said.
Tonight, the towns of Genoa and Minden are scheduled to conduct their ceremonies greeting the season.
Caroling in the Genoa Town Church is expected to start at 5:30 p.m. with townspeople making their way down Nixon Street to light Hope Falcke’s tree around 6 p.m.
Nevada’s oldest town will host Breakfast with Santa Claus in the Town Hall. There will be three sittings starting at 8:30 a.m., but participants must obtain tickets in advance from the town offices today. Call 775-782-8696 for information.
Minden conducts its annual gazebo lighting in Minden Park at 6 p.m. today, where Santa will be greeted like a rock star.
Children who bring a canned food good to donate will receive a goodie bag and a chance at the golden ticket to help the big guy throw the switch.
The Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center is hosting its annual Holiday Gala 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday before the parade starts.
