Top Things to do at the Genoa Cowboy Festival

The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival blends star studded entertainment and Western cowboy heritage with our beautiful mountain and valley setting. Extending over three days, April 28-30, 2017 you get the chance to step back in time, unplug, and experience the old west in the heart of Carson Valley!

Cowboy shootout

Festivities begin Friday night, April 28, on the main stage with The Quebe Sisters (rhymes with maybe). When these triple-threat fiddle champions start playing and singing in multi-part close harmony, audiences are transfixed, then blown away. Watch their video of Cold Cold Heart.

Dave Stamey will continue the show with his award winning Western music. Cowboys and Indians Magazine has called him “the Charley Russell of Western Music.” Western Horseman Magazine has declared his “Vaquero Song” to be one of the greatest Western songs of all time. In 2010, 2011 and 2013 True West Magazine named him Best Living Western Solo Musician. 

Dave Stamey

Saturday April 29 brings Mike Beck to the main stage. He is an engaging acoustic solo artist who regularly performs in the United States and Europe. Western Horseman magazine recently picked "The 13 Best Cowboy Songs," and included two compositions by Mike, putting him alongside other writers such as Ian Tyson, Tom Russell, Lucinda Williams, and Gene Autry.

Following Mike, Tom Russell will take the stage. He has recorded 35 acclaimed records, and his songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Doug Sahm, Naci Griffith, K.D. Lang and many others.

Tom Russell

Saturday and Sunday Daytime Activities
  Historic Chautauqua acts
  Harmonica lessons
  Front Porch Jam Sessions
  Dutch oven cooking classes
  Cowboy Poetry performances by Randy Rieman and Tony Argento
  Ranch Tours
  Star Party at River Fork Ranch

McAvoy Lane as Mark Twain

  Come and connect with the cowboys and cowgirls who live and breathe the old west.

Native American culture demonstration

Get the full entertainment schedule and buy your tickets here.

Don't wait to plan your Genoa stay.

Can’t make it to the festival? Genoa has a lot to offer throughout the year. Click here to learn more about one of Nevada’s oldest towns

What to do at the Genoa Cowboy Festival

Lawmen - Jay Aldrich

Carson Valley's annual Genoa Cowboy Festival blends star studded entertainment and Western cowboy heritage with our beautiful mountain and valley setting. Extending over three days, the Genoa Cowboy Festival gives you the chance to step back in time, unplug, experience the old west and relax!


Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada in the beautiful Carson Valley, historic Genoa is the site of the Nevada’s first settlement. To this day there are working cattle ranches mere steps from the town center. Since the 19th century, cowboys have shared their work, music and stories in Nevada’s oldest town.

Borges Carriage Ride

Stroll the historic Genoa streets while enjoying the festival. All activities (with the exception of bus tours) are located within a few blocks.

Genoa or Bust!

Planning Your Genoa Cowboy Festival Trip


Celebrate the unique forms of Cowboy Music, Cowboy Poetry, Old West history, and the Western lifestyle by planning your Carson Valley trip in advance.

Nightly concerts feature up and coming acts, as well as legendary Western artists.

During the day you’ll find educational classes like dutch oven cooking and harmonica lessons. Chautauqua performers with inspiring first person stories, will introduce you to well known historic figures from bygone eras. Check out craft vendors and artisan booths throughout town and take home a piece of Western culture.  

Cowboy cooking

In addition to food vendors, there are always great restaurants in Genoa to tempt your palate. You can’t miss the chance to have a drink at the Genoa Bar and Saloon, Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor.  

Genoa Bar - Paige Turnipseed

Buy your tickets here, and be sure to make your room reservations before it's too late!

GENOA COWBOY FESTIVAL

Mark your calendars for the Genoa Cowboy Festival! This is a must attend event! The Genoa Cowboy Festival Steering Committee announced confirmed performers for 2013 Cowboy Festival with a tentative concert schedule as follows: 

Friday, May 3 — 7 p.m. concert 
Hot Club of Cowtown 
Waddie Mitchell 
Dave Stamey 

Saturday, May 4 — 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. concerts 
Grammy Award Winning Riders of the Sky 
with the Reno Brass Quintet 

Sunday, May 5 — 1 p.m. concert 
Saddle Cats 
Waddie Mitchell 
Mary Kaye 


For more information CLICK HERE

Candy Dance Weekend

It's that time of year, the 90th Annual Candy Dance in Genoa, Nevada will take place this weekend, September 25th and 26th, 2010 with an expected turn out of 30,000+ in attendance for the festival. Tradition continues as candy is made from scratch, first class crafters of unique products and many varieties of food are available. It is a great event to take the entire family too and the best way to start working on your holiday shopping.