Rudolph the red-nosed MRAP leaves a trail of bubbles during the 2021 Parade of Lights through Gardnerville as part of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office entry.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Getting around Minden-Gardnerville’s construction over the next 30 days could be a challenge, but hopefully not for the annual Parade of Lights.
The annual parade closes Highway 395 between Waterloo Lane and Buckeye Road at around 4:30 p.m. with a 5 p.m. start on Saturday.
With the theme “Tiger Tidings: Spreading Championship Joy,” this year’s grand marshals for the parade are the state champion Douglas High School Tiger softball and ladies golf teams.
Parade floats line up along Gillman Avenue at Heritage Park in Gardnerville and turn onto Main Street at Eddy Street and roll northwest before turning onto Esmeralda Avenue in downtown Minden and wrapping up at Minden Park.
The highway closure on Saturday could last until 7 p.m. Saturday.
“Highway construction managers will work to ensure that continuing highway improvements do not impact Saturday’s Parade of Lights,” Nevada Department of Transportation spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said on Monday. “The majority of this week’s highway work will take place south of Eddy Street, outside of the parade route. Heavy construction also does not take place on weekends, further reducing potential construction impacts to weekend parade festivities.”
In addition to Nevada State Police and the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Citizen’s Patrol will blockade driveways and side streets along the highway.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking parade goers to be courteous and aware of traffic controls, flaggers and volunteers. During the parade, onlookers are asked to stay out of the road and on the sidewalks. People should bring their valuables with them instead of leaving them in their vehicles.
With a chance of rain or snow in the forecast for Saturday, visitors should be prepared for stormy weather and icy spots both walking and driving.
Founded in 1995, this will be the 27th Parade of Lights, sponsored by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.
