Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park announces May schedule

A returning favorite event is the Kite Weekend on 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14-15. Cameron and Reina Kauffman of Coolkiter.com will bring their assortment of big and beautiful kites, kites for high wind and kites for no wind.

“We are always happy to let the public try our kites and we just really enjoy sharing our passion,” said Cameron. 

Everyone is also welcome to bring their own kites. Park volunteers will also assist children in making giant bubbles. This event is free for all.

“We are looking forward to our eleventh season of providing the public with premium programing in one of Nevada’s most beautiful and historic venues,” said Events Manager Kim Harris. 

This Summer Festival will also feature six concerts. Old West Trio will kick off the concerts on 6:30 p.m. June 16 performing traditional Western. Also returning are Lacy J. Dalton, The Sierra Sweethearts and Cíana. New this season is The Catahoula Mardi Gras Party Band performing Zydeco music, and jazz quartet The Gardnervillains. 

Chautauquans can be found throughout the Summer Festival performing both national and local characters. Dangberg Historic Park is the place to meet Henry VIII, Mark Twain and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Local heroes will also make an appearance in the form of Snowshoe Thompson and Dr. Eliza Cook. The first Chautauquan, Susan Marie Frontczak, will perform Eleanor Roosevelt 6:30 p.m. June 15. 

Concert tickets are $20 for 17 years and older and $15 for members. Chautauqua tickets are $15 for 17 years and older and $10 for members. All events are free for 16 years and younger

For those interested in learning to be a Chautauquan, or honing their skills, a Chautauqua Workshop will be offered June 25-26. The workshop will include performances by premier Chautauquans. 

The Dangberg Chautauqua Showcase is a special event and will feature graduates from the 2021 Chautauqua 101 Workshop 10-11:30 a.m.  July 9 and is free. This season’s Chautauqua programs are funded in part by a grant from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For over 10 years now the park has been a place where scholars have shared with the public their knowledge of history, and favorite speakers and authors return this year with new subjects.  Dr. Michael Fischer, Mark McLaughlin, Glen Whorton and more are on the schedule this summer, to speak on various subjects of interest. David Woodruff will share his presentation “Reflections of Lake Tahoe” 10 a.m. July 30. Author and speaker events are free.

Please bring your own seating and no pets allowed - service animals only. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy as no food or beverages will be sold at these events. All events are held outdoors.

Funding in support of the Dangberg Summer Festival has been provided by Douglas County, Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation, Carson Valley Accounting, D & B Cabinets, Tru North Wealth Management, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Douglas Disposal & Recycling Service, Edward Jones Investments – Tim Cleveland, Hone Company, and Kaiser Genoa Property, LLC.

The park is located at 1450 Hwy 88, ¾ mile south of the high school and roundabout. The ranch house is currently open for visitors Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Groups may also reserve the park’s events tent, with picnic table seating for up to 60 people, along with optional interpretive presentations and building access. For more information, visit Dangberg.org or write info@dangberg.org.