The patron saint of Candy Dance, Lillian Virgin Finnegan’s statue watches over downtown Genoa on Thursday morning.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Volunteers are starting candy-making in preparation for the annual Genoa Candy Dance, which is Sept. 23-24 this year.
As many as 200 volunteers make Candy Dance the key source of revenue for Nevada’s oldest town.
Candy Dance Volunteer Coordinator Gayle Vassar said she hopes to recruit cashiers and silent auction helpers, specifically.
“But know that we can use help in every aspect of Candy Dance,” she said. “Candy Dance is the primary way our wonderful town of Genoa supports itself, and we need lots of helpers to make Candy Dance a success.”
Cash-handling jobs include bartending at the dinner dance, as well as taking cash and credit card payments for candy and ice sales to vendors.
“Anyone who handles cash must be pre-approved by Douglas County. “Human Resources is working with us to make the process as smooth as possible, but it can still take up to six weeks – so getting started soon is critical,” Vassar said.
To get started, email volunteer@douglasnv.us
In the subject line, write “Candy Dance Cash-Handling Volunteer,” and in the body of the email, write that you want to volunteer for a cash-handling position, and include your name and phone number.
Vassar asked anyone sending an email cc her at GenoaVolunteers@gmail.com so she can follow up.
On the silent auction front, she said the event is seeking both help and donations.
The auction is held at the Candy Dance Dinner Dance on Sept. 23.
“We are looking for volunteers to obtain auction items; to prepare the items for display ahead of time; and to help oversee bids the night of the Dinner Dance,” she said.
To sign up for any of these roles, go to the Volunteer Registration site.
“If you have Auction items to donate, or questions about the volunteer roles, please email Auction Chair Viviane Schaller,” Vasser said.
To sign up, visit
1 - Go to Volunteer Registration site and pick a volunteer job and shift.
2 – If you haven’t already submitted the Candy Dance 2023 Volunteer Form, download a fillable version by clicking here. Follow the instructions on the form for returning it to Town Hall.
3 – If your desired volunteer job includes handling cash, email Douglas County HR to get the volunteer approval process started at volunteer@douglasnv.us In the subject line, write “Candy Dance Cash-Handling Volunteer,” and in the body of the email, write that you want to volunteer for a cash-handling position, and include your name and phone number.
To volunteer to make candy, fill out the Candy Dance 2023 Volunteer Form and follow the instructions on the form for returning it to Town Hall.
For questions about candy making, contact Lead Candy Maker Sherry Eriksen at seriksen@comcast.net
Vassar asked anyone with questions to contact her at GenoaVolunteers@gmail.com
