Valley celebrates Fourth with outdoor activities

Patriotic celebrations in Carson Valley get a running start Thursday in Gardnerville with the Freedom 5K Fun Run at Heritage Park.

“This has continued to be a community favorite and widely supported,” said Main Street Gardnerville Program Director Jen Tune. “I like to say it is the most patriotic run on this side of the mountains.”

The run is just the first part of the celebration across the Valley, which includes parades and music, including a Kids Bike Parade in Minden  and the Carson City Symphony wrapping things up with the Americana Celebration in Genoa’s Mormon Station State Historic Park.

The 5K run is a fundraiser for Wreaths Across America Event held at Garden Cemetery on Dec.14 where 225 veterans are remembered and honored with Wreaths. The run is part of the “We Run This Town” 5K fun run series.

Tune said the series includes the Carson Valley Days Classic 5K Fun Run/Walk, the Freedom 5K and the newest Paint it Pink, a Breast Cancer Awareness 5k benefiting local cancer treatment centers, scheduled for Oct. 19.

“If participates complete all three, they receive a limited edition “ I Run This Town,” tee-shirt for their efforts,” said Tude.

The fun run series are a fundraising event supporting Main Street Gardnerville’s mission to revitalize downtown.

Registration for the Patriotic run is at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. Participants are encouraged to dress in patriotic attire.

“The costume contest is always a crowd favorite,” said Tude.

Prizes will be presented to the best dressed and trophies are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place race finishers and every runner receives a medal.

After the race, celebrators can head over to Minden’s star-spangled Fourth of July celebration for complimentary hamburgers and hotdogs, while children of all ages parade around the park beginning at 10 a.m.

Mostly for children, anyone is welcome to participate, just bring some wheels to pedal, whether it’s a bike, a scooter, skateboard or rollerblades, and even strollers or wagons are welcome.

Parade participants can spangle up their wheels at the decorating station.

The event will continue until 2 p.m. with the splashpad available, a bounce house, music and more.

Hamburgers and hot dogs for the event were donated by the Carson Valley Inn and frozen treats provided by Model Diary.

If cooling off in the splash pad doesn’t suffice patriots, the Carson Valley Swim Center is hosting a pool party 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the party celebrators have the opportunity to participate in a chalk drawing at 12 p.m., watermelon eating contest at 1 p.m., a belly flop contest at 2 p.m. and a water balloon toss at 3 p.m.