Volunteers needed to create two tons of candy

Staff Reports

Volunteers are needed to help make 4,000 pounds of homemade candy for the 89th annual Genoa Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Faire on Sept. 26-27.

Candy making begins Monday and continues through September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, at the Genoa Town Office building.

Veteran candy makers Marian Vassar and Betty Bourne will be on hand to share their methods for making fudge and peanut brittle. All are welcome and needed to continue the Genoa candy making tradition. Information, Marian Vassar, 782-4584.

Candy is the key ingredient to the continued success of the Candy Dance tradition. The Candy Dance was founded in 1919 by Lillian Virgin Finnegan who served homemade candy at a community fall dance to raise money for the town's streetlights.  

The art and crafts fair was added in the 1970s. Funds raised by the Town of Genoa during Candy Dance weekend provide a substantial portion of Genoa's annual budget. A number of the street lights purchased after the first Candy Dance still light up the Town of Genoa to this day.

The Genoa Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27. The fair features art and crafts, food and activity booths and Genoa's homemade candy. Admission is free. Parking in designated lots is $5.

David John and the Comstock Cowboys provide music for the annual Candy Dance dinner dance, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 26, in Genoa Town Park. Opening entertainment by Lacy J. Dalton.

Trimmer Ranch No. 1 caters the ranch-style barbecue dinner of roast beef and chicken, with Basque-style beans, salad, rolls and dessert by J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room. No-host bar opens at 4 p.m. Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Purchase dinner dance tickets by Sept. 21 at $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. Dance only tickets are $15, available in advance and at the door.

Tickets available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Genoa Town Office or at the Dancing Deer, the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Information at 782-8696 or www.genoanevada.org