A Pony Express Re-rider carries the colors in last year’s Invitational Horse Parade in Genoa. The annual re-ride will pass through Genoa June 12 on its way to Missouri.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Genoa Western Heritage Days comes to Nevada’s oldest town May 2-4.
While the Friday evening concert with Dave Stamey and Kristyn Harris is sold out, there are a handful of tickets still available for Saturday evening’s concert with The Cowboy Way and Gary Allegretto, as well as the Progressive Dinner featuring a nosh and libation at four Genoa eateries – Daniel’s, Sierra Chef, Flutter and Buzz Café, and the Hungry Hearts food truck at the Genoa Bar. Visit bit.ly/GWHD for ticket information.
On May 3, visitors will be able to amble through the historic downtown with live music, cowboy poetry, historic reenactments, and children’s activities. Western vendors and makers will have unique items for sale in the Trimmer Lot across from the Town Hall, and Western fine art will be available for sale in three locations. A detailed schedule and map is on the Town website at bit.ly/GWHD.
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada will provide a basket weaving demonstration on the front porch of the Courthouse Museum along with singers and dancers. Admission fees have been waived for the day.
The Invitational Horse Parade will proceed through the historic downtown at 2 p.m.
Jacks Valley Road will be closed to traffic between the Genoa Cemetery and Carson Street from 1:45-2:30 p.m. for the parade, with no detours or access via side streets.
The Horse Parade Grand Marshal is rancher Russell Scossa, whose family cattle ranch has been in operation in the Carson Valley for 140 years and counting. Special guests include Roy Rogers’ granddaughter Julie Fox Ashley Pomilia, the National Pony Express, Nevada Division, and Miss Rodeo Nevada 2025.
Saturday daytime events include:
Music by the Carson Chandler Band, Jon & Betsy Elliott, Those Windburn Brothers, Lost Reverends of the High Sierra, and Rough Edges.
Cowboy poetry by Tony Argento and Larry Maurice.
Chautauqua actors: Alice and Will James portrayed by Kim Harris and Mike Olson, and General John C. Fremont, portrayed by Steve Hale; Children’s Chautauqua at 1 p.m. in the Community Church.
- True West Movies by Mark Bedor screened in the Town Hall
Art lovers are invited to the Western Heritage Fine Art Show at the Genoa Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. On Saturday, May 3, the Western Heritage Fine Art Show expands to three locations – the Genoa Gallery, the Masonic Lodge, and the lawn in front of Mormon Station Historic State Park.
On May 4, Doug Figgs of The Cowboy Way will join the Rev. Patrick Jolly for Cowboy Church. The nondenominational services begin at 9 a.m. in the Town Hall.
Want to learn to play the harmonica?
Gary Allegretto will lead a harmonica workshop at 10:30 a.m. May 4 in the Town Hall. The cost is $20 for the workshop, payable at the door.
For more information, visit bit.ly/GWHD or follow Genoa Western Heritage Days on Facebook.
Genoa Western Heritage Days is brought to you by Friends of Genoa and sponsored by Carson Tahoe Health System, Carson Valley Health, Daniel’s Restaurant, The Genoa Gallery, Gillmor Coons Real Estate, Haliwell Homes, Heritage Bank, Minden Mill Distilling, Nevada State Bank, Ranch One, The Town of Genoa, Visit Carson Valley, Dorothy Gardner, Betsy Cooksey, Jim and Nancy Turner, Lucette and Steve Simon, Sherrie Millichap, and many individual Heritage Sponsors. 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs & Resort provides rooms for Town Hall concert performers.