Experience Outdoor Adventure in Carson Valley

Carson Valley offers and abundance of Outdoor Activities that you and your family can enjoy all year-round.  We have over 47 miles of non-motorized trails that are maintained by the Carson Valley Trails Association http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/ and approximately 50 miles or more in Douglas County http://www.douglascountynv.gov/ and the Tahoe Rim Trail https://www.tahoerimtrail.org/.
Whether you want to explore by Foot, Hoof or Wheel, Carson Valley makes it accessible day or night where you won't find any traffic jams here. We offer UN-restricted, full access to explore as far as your eye can see.  Smell the fresh crisp, open air as you experience the freedom to challenge our majestic landscape and rediscover nature in all the ways it was intended.  Come, Stay and Play.

Celebrate the Holidays in Carson Valley

 

10th Annual Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff

Town of Gardnerville, Heritage Park

©Ali Moffitt

Light Up Minden!

 Minden Park

©Ali Moffitt

    20th Annual Parade of Lights

 "Our Emerald Celebration 20 Years of Lights"

  Breakfast with Santa

  Genoa Town Hall, Genoa

                                                             

©Ali Moffitt

   Candy Cane Lane

   Carson Valley Inn

Come Stay and Celebrate the Holiday Season in Carson Valley.  We have many events to start your season off right.  The Town of Gardnerville will have it's 10th Annual Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff where you can enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn and dutch oven cobblers while you take a wagon ride or photos with Santa.  The town will also light the tree and gazebo and firework display.  http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/03/5629/-/10th-annual-carson-valley-christmas-kickoff.html  
The Town of Minden will feature it's Light Up Minden! celebrations http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/04/5632/-/light-up-minden.html featuring live music, Santa, Fire pits and Smores, while you get to help turn on the lights to the Minden
Gazebo.  Christmas season in Genoa is always a holiday treat http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/04/5627/-/christmas-in-genoa.html starting off with caroling and tree lighting to several seating's where your little one's can have Breakfast with Santa!  The Douglas County Historical Society will host it's Annual Holiday Gala http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/05/5625/-/dchs-annual-holiday-gala.html Vote for your favorite decorated Gingerbread House or Christmas Tree.  Or join in the Cookie Walk until the cookies run out....or get eaten!  This year will be the 20th Annual Parade of Lights "Our Emerald Celebration of 20 years of Lights"  http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/05/5626/-/20th-annual-parade-of-lights.html Brave the cold and watch a colorful display of floats decorated in lights.  Make sure you bring your hot chocolate, this is one you won't want to miss.  You can also enjoy a lighted display of a Holiday Tradition all from the warmth of your car.  Candy Cane Lane at Carson Valley Inn http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/12/01/5590/-/candy-cane-lane.htmlis an interactive light display that will fill and delight you and your family with the Christmas Spirit.

Carson Valley has these and so much more for the Holiday Season, we simply can't add them all!  You and your family will be sure to enjoy all the festivities in Carson Valley.  Come, Stay and Play.

Carson Valley- Rugged. Relaxed. Reachable.

Here is a recent article that was published in Reno Tahoe Getaway publication.  We think it depicts Carson Valley in an accurate, beautiful way.  Enjoy!!

Carson Valley Autumn

©Ali Moffitt

Carson Valley is absolutely beautiful, and Autumn is no exception.  With the crisp, fresh air and majestic blue skies, Carson Valley is a wonderful place to spend your fall harvest.  The temperatures can range from the low 80's- mid 60's and it is perfect for hitting the trails on your foot, hoof, or wheel.  If the trails aren't for you, then come and join the community in a host of family friendly fall festivities where your little pumpkin will be sure to find their pumpkin!
The Corley Ranch Harvest Festival begins the end of September through October.  You and your family can enjoy activities anywhere from pig races, farm animals, to hay wagon rides, oh and a pumpkin or two!  Main Street Gardnerville hosts their Fall Harvest and Scarecrow Festival and Main Street Minden will be having a Fall Fling.  Or join the fun for the 1st Annual Slaughterhouse Coffin Races and race down Slaughterhouse Lane and reach the finish line in "style."  Genoa will be host to a cemetery walk at night with a bit of history...don't forget your flashlight!
Maybe you just want to take a scenic drive and view all the changing leaves from green to red, orange, brown and red.  Make sure you have your camera ready, they are gorgeous a midst the backdrop of Job's Peak.  Not matter what you choose, Carson Valley offers an abundance of scenery and activities that will make you want to stay and play!
For information on these events and more, visit our Event Calendar
 http://www.visitcarsonvalley.org/calendar/event-calendar/month.calendar/2015/10/02/-.html

Genoa Canday Dance Arts & Crafts Faire

 

The Dance that Brought Light to Genoa

The Genoa "Candy Dance" originated in 1919 as an effort to raise money to purchase street lights for the small, but enterprising community of Genoa, Nevada's first settlement. Lillian Virgin Finnegan, daughter of then prominent Judge Daniel Webster Virgin, suggested the idea of a dance and making candy to pass around during the dance as an incentive for a good "turn-out" of couples.

With the help of her aunt, Jane Raycraft Campbell, and the female populous of Genoa, delicious samples of candy really made the evening special. Of course, the midnight supper served at the Raycraft Hotel was, as always, a culinary delight. So, if the candy did not entice people to join in the fun, the midnight supper was surely an incentive.

The Genoa community did raise the needed funds for streetlights, but realized the monthly electric bill had to be paid. The candy makers were then called upon each year to help promote the "Candy Dance" and pay a year's worth of electricity for the streetlights throughout the town. This annual event became the "Big Event of the Season." Couples came from Reno, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville and surrounding areas to join in the evening's fun.

The Arts & Crafts Faire was added in the 1970s, and later became a two-day event. The first Faire was held on the front lawn of a private residence in Sierra Shadows on Genoa Lane with twelve vendors. A few years later the popular Faire was moved to the Mormon Station Historic State Monument grounds. Expanding proved necessary and now Faire exhibitors are also found along Nixon Street, and along the sides of Genoa Lane and Main Street. With all the people visiting the Faire these days, the streets in and out of Genoa are temporarily closed during the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shuttles bring people from the main parking lots on Genoa Lane and Foothill Road, as well as the limited parking lot at the Genoa Cemetery. There is also a shuttle that runs from the Carson Valley Inn and Douglas High School to the Genoa Lane parking lot.

The "Candy Dance" is still held each year with music from a live band playing everything from rock-n-roll, country-western, swing and hop to waltzes for all ages. Everyone is invited to the Saturday night dinner and dance. A limited number of tickets are sold to the event. 2009's dinner-dance in Genoa Park was a huge success with over 700 tickets sold. However, cold weather does reduce attendance at the outdoor dinner-dance.

Generation after generation has continued the candy making and Faire tradition. The funds raised by the Town of Genoa during the Candy Dance weekend provide a substantial portion of the town's annual budget. We will be celebrating the "Candy Dance" as long as we have volunteers to keep it going, and we thank all our volunteers for their hard work.

Visit:  www.visitcarsonvalley.org for more information

Aviation Roundup 2015-Minden Tahoe Airport!!

Younkin Airshows and Misty Blues
©Ali Moffitt

Kyle Franklin
©Ali Moffitt

Bill Stein
©Ali Moffitt

Danny Clisham "Sky-Talker" Hollywood
©Ali  Moffitt

Manfred Radius
©Ali Moffitt

Dan Buchanan
©Ali Moffitt

God Bless America
©Ali Moffitt

Big Crowds!
©Ali Moffitt

Super Hornet F-18
©Ali Moffitt

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
©Ali Moffitt

Team Rocket Aerobatics
©Ali Moffitt

On Diplay
©Ali Moffitt

On Display
©Ali Moffitt

Are we having fun yet? Blayne Osborn, Bobbi Thompson, Danny Clisham, and John Humphrey
©Ali Moffitt

On Display
©Ali Moffitt

Just a quick break!
©Ali Moffitt

Wayne Boggs- AirBoss
©Ali Moffitt

Carson Valley Aviation Roundup Sponsored By Bently Heritage

2015 Aviation Roundup

The 5th Annual Aviation Roundup will be on the 22nd & 23rd of August. The show will feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds, Team Rocket, Bill Stein, Kyle Franklin, Matt Younkin, Manfred Radius, and Dan Buchanan.
The performers will perform on both the 22nd & 23rd.
Gates will open at 10:00 am.
The Opening Ceremonies will be at 12:00 pm, which will start the show.
Gates will close at 5:00 pm.

You are welcome to bring lawn chairs to sit on to watch the show. There will not be bleachers or seating available, so lawn chairs are encouraged.

NO PETS - service animals are welcome, but are discouraged due to the high temperatures that they will encounter on the asphalt.
NO COOLERS
NO GLASS BOTTLES
NO CAMPING - the campgrounds will be closed from Thursday through Sunday during the air show.
NO SMOKING - designated smoking areas will be outside of the gate.

To learn more visit: http://www.aviationroundup.com/
You can also watch a video highlighting General Manager Bobbi Thompson about bringing the US Air Force Thunderbirds to the Carson Valley on Inside Douglas County with Melissa Blosser: https://youtu.be/RuQthTr9WSM 

Summer Events at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic State Park

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic State Park is a one of Carson Valley's historic properties.  In the center of Carson Valley, this is one of western Nevada’s treasures, that has breathtaking views of Jobs Peak and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The house that stands here was built by a family that played an important role in the growth and shaping of Carson Valley, Nevada. Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg was only eighteen when he came to America in 1848. He came west in 1856, where he built a log cabin, cleared and irrigated his landclaim, and married Margaret Ferris, the daughter of a noted American family. A self-made man, his hard work, foresight and leadership lead to prosperity and influence. The cabin grew into a house as he and Maggie raised five children, who inherited one of the largest ranches in western Nevada. In 1902, the family formed the Dangberg Land and Livestock Co. and over the next few decades the second generation expanded the family’s holdings to almost 50,000 acres supporting cattle and sheep production, along with vegetable crops and other products. In 1905, the family founded the town of Minden and there, in partnership with other ranchers, established several businesses focused on agriculture, banking and a hotel. Today, the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park preserves this essential chapter in Nevada’s history.

The best way to see the park is to schedule a tour of the ranch house. Docents lead visitors through the entire main level, from living room to the cowboys’ dining hall, and reveal the history of Carson Valley ranching through one family’s private and public history. The stories told by the artifacts and photographs will make you laugh, cry and reflect.
Reservations are required and the tours are available year-round on selected days, including weekends. Call 775-783-9417, or write curator@dangberghomeranch.org. The fee is $8 for 17 and older, free for 16 and younger.

Activities and events take place from April through December. Throughout the summer, Dangberg Home Ranch Historic State Park offers their Ferris Family Speaker Series, Summer Sunday Concert Series, Twilight Concerts, Storytellers, Chautauqua Series, and Arts and Traditions of the American West.  

For a full list of activities and events visit: 
www.visitcarsonvalley.org  or
www.dangberghomeranch.org 

Minden GE Family Concert Series

Every summer, the Town of Minden hosts the GE Family Concert Series in Minden Park.  Staring the end of May through September, once a month, a different music selection plays under the Carson Valley stars for a family fun evening.  Smell the barbeque, amidst a light 80 degree breeze, and an evening full of family, friends, children playing, your favorite beach chair and blanket with a backdrop of a steel drum, guitar and great musical talent to entertain you.  Sounds like a perfect ending to a long week.  Come and enjoy our monthly, Friday night summer event!

It is one of Carson Valley's favorites.  All concerts are free of charge due to the generous contributions of local businesses and organizations.

May 29:  Garratt Wilkin & the Parrotheads
June 26:  Steelin' Dan
July 17:  Imagine (Beatles Tribute)
August 7:  Mumbo Gumbo
August 28:  Shane Dwight
September 11:  Austinpalooza at Carson Valley Inn's TJ's Corral; local bands play for a great cause

Main Street Gardnerville's Thirsty Third Thursdays

Main Street Gardnerville will once again be hosting "Thirsty Third Thursdays" Wine Walks taking place the third Thursday of each month, May-September, 4:30 - 7:30pm. The cost is $15 for registration and $5 for a commemorative forever wine glass with light blue logo that can be used at ALL future wine walks. Each Wine Walk brings out anywhere from 300-500 registered Wine Walkers to the downtown district. The money raised covers expenses and goes back into the community to support Main Street Gardnerville's revitalization efforts of the historic downtown district!!!

This Thirsty Thursday will be featuring 2015 Wine Walk Themes.  

May 21st:  PJ Daze
June 18th: Western
July 16th: Patriotic
August 20th: Pick your decade
September 17th: Hawaiian

For more details visit: www.MainStreetGardnerville.org or follow us on facebook at "Main Street Gardnerville" for more information and updates.

Hope to see you there!

Genoa Cowboy Festival

Genoa Cowboy Festival Scheduled for April 30th through May 2nd, 2015

Genoa, Nevada – March 17, 2015 – The Town of Genoa, Nevada, announced today that the sixth annual Genoa Cowboy Festival will take place from April 30th through May 2nd in the Town of Genoa. Previous Cowboy Festivals have attracted thousands of visitors to the picturesque community located in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Genoa, widely recognized as Nevada’s oldest town, is a short 45-minute drive south from Reno and in close proximity to South Lake Tahoe.

This year’s event will feature performances by some of the best-known entertainers in Western music and cowboy poetry, including Lacy J. Dalton, Gary Allegretto, Mike Beck, Belinda Gail, Richard Elloyan, Sourdough Slim, Larry Maurice, “Bimbo” Cheney, The Western Flyers western swing band, and many more. 

Other festival events include: Chautauqua performances; a birding nature walk at the River Fork Ranch; a “Birds and Buckaroos in the Carson Valley” photography show at The Nature Conservancy’s Whit Hall Interpretive Center; and a dinner and barn dance on Thursday evening, April 30th, at Trimmer’s Outpost in the Town of Genoa.

The Genoa Cowboy Festival is a wonderful blend of beautiful setting, entertainment, heritage and Western culture. This year’s event is free to the public and also features cowboy mercantile crafts and clothing, Western art exhibits, pioneer and Old West living history reenactors, and a variety of delicious food from popular local eateries. 

From its 19th century beginnings, cowboys and ranching have shared work, words and music in this historic community. The Town of Genoa celebrates that rich history and tradition with its annual celebration of the Western lifestyle. For tickets to evening concerts and more information go to:  www.GenoaCowboyFestival.org or call 775-782-0326.

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION!!

Carson Valley is well-known for it's trails.  Whether you are on foot, hoof, or wheel you can enjoy easy public access to some of the finest trails around.  The Carson Valley Trails Association  has done it once again.  This time in the Pine Nut Mountains. The Pinyon Trail and Trail head is now open with a formal opening Saturday, March 14th. The trail is just over 5 miles long and is located about 7 miles east of Gardnerville. This trail is open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and dogs. This trail project was funded by the CVTA in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and Douglas County.  Come on out and enjoy another beautiful trail we have in Carson Valley.  Hope to see you there!  For more information, visit:  http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/index.html

Carson Valley Rider Visits Genoa Cowboy Festival

The Genoa Cowboy Festival coming April 30-May 3, 2015, offers food, music, and, of course, plenty of Cowboys and Cowgirls. Check out this trailer led by our own Carson Valley Rider. 

All day events are free. 

Tickets are on sale now for the evening concerts at 

http://www.genoacowboyfestival.org/tickets.html

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Carson Valley Rider Visits Carson Valley Inn

Take a break and ride along with the Carson Valley Rider to one of the valley’s favorites-

It might be the perfect time to book your next vacation.

Upcoming events and specials include: Special Ski Weekend, Feb. 6-8; 29th annual Shooting Weekend, Feb. 19-21; and Eagles and Agriculture, Feb. 20-22.

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Carson Valley Rider Hits the Trails

Hit the trail with the Carson Valley Rider.  Our moderate winters allow for year-round outdoor recreation.  Find your next favorite hike here.

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