Candy Dance draws big crowd

Genoa became a sanctuary from the woes of the world on Saturday as thousands of people flooded into the historic mountain town to enjoy the 88th annual Candy Dance.

"It's kind of a diversion," said Gardnerville resident Carlee Rauber. "It's nice to see that life goes on."

Prior to the event, Candy Dance organizers had expressed worry that less people would come because of a weak economy, higher gas prices and less spending money. Two weeks of a wavering Wall Street only made matters worse. But if backed-up traffic on Saturday morning around Genoa Lane and Foothill Road was any indication, people were coming despite economic setbacks.

"It took me 45 minutes to get in through Genoa Lane," said Minden resident Lisa Kremer. "It was the most backed-up I have ever seen it."

Kremer brought her 6-year-old son Wyatt, whom she has taken to Candy Dance every year since he was an infant.

"I like the candy," Wyatt said. "I like the dragon eyes."

By 10 a.m., the lines to the candy booth were crowded. In the previous weeks, volunteers had made more than 4,000 pounds of fudge, haystacks, peanut clusters, dragon eyes and other confections. In fact, they had made less candy than usual, expecting fewer people to come.

But the streets continued to swell with people. One crafter from Chico, Calif., proffered an explanation for the large turnout.

"After 9-11, I had the best show ever," said Bob Saxton, who makes home and garden decor, metallic lawn art and other items.

Saxton said people seek shelter in traumatic times and sometimes find solace in craft fairs, which reflect a kind of local, tight-knit community.

"There was that fear that people wouldn't come and would hold back on their purchasing, but I haven't seen it today," Saxton said.

Shoppers from Northern Nevada, California, Arizona and Oregon lost themselves in the colorful arcades of more than 300 crafters and artisans.

"If you have some wealth to spread, this is a good place to do it," said Sparks resident Robert Esperance, who was shopping with his wife Mary. "We've lived in the Reno area for 37 years, and this is the first year we've come down to Candy Dance."

Reno resident Heidi Cardarelli wanted a larger venue for her handmade jewelry.

"I've done a few small shows in Reno, but is the first time I've done a big show," said Cardarelli, whose booth was decorated with the Austrian crystals she uses in her jewelry. "I came to Candy Dance last year, just to shop, and I thought this year probably wouldn't be as busy; but there are a lot of people here."

People have been participating in Candy Dance since it was established in 1919 as a way to raise money for Genoa's street lights. What started as a dinner dance and candy sale, from which the event derives its name, eventually evolved into the two-day craft fair people know today.

But there are other attractions besides the crafts and candy.

"I'm J.D. Cahill, based on the U.S. Marshal played by John Wayne," said Gardnerville resident David Semas, one of the good cowboys for the event's street theater.

Semas was playing his part to the hilt: Hat, vest, badge, chaps, a real ivory-handled Colt 45 revolver loaded with blanks. Later in the day, Cahill and some other Western heroes, including Wyatt Earp, would hunt down that rascal Bad Man Jose...

But the real heroes of Candy Dance were the hundreds of volunteers who kept the event going.

"I've volunteered the last eight years I've lived in Genoa because I love the town," said Penny Speir, who moved to the area from England.

Speir was walking the crowds, selling raffle tickets to raise money for the town coffers.

"There is great spirit in this place," she said, "and great people that live here."