Chichester bear house just about ready

Gardnerville resident Roy Nisja said Tuesday he’s putting the finishing touches on the Bear House at 1366 Chichester Drive.

He hoped to have the display, which he and son Donn have been working on for 40 years, ready today.

“Everything’s closed, so someone has to do something,” said Nisja, a U.S. Marine veteran.

He invited people to come by and check out the bear house, which includes Christmas lights and trains in addition to a multitude of ursines.

With the cancelation of the Parade of Lights, residents who built floats are planning to tour neighborhoods to show off their labors.

On Monday, Douglas County announced all the official events surrounding the holiday were being shut down due to a surge in the coronavirus.

All three towns will light their Christmas displays this week, but without the usual fanfare.

“This was a difficult decision,” said County Manager Patrick Cates. “We know how important these events are to our community, but this is necessary for our fight against this pandemic.”

With the Parade of Lights off the table, it will be up to Douglas County residents to make their own spirits bright. But if they want some extra attention, here are some of the more organized lighting contests.

Some holiday traditions are continuing with the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club preparing to raise the town Christmas tree at Frontier Communications.

Gardnerville Ranchos resident Dallas Harmon took to social media on Monday, to say he’ll be touring the community with the float he’d built for the parade.

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Contest

View decorated doors, storefronts, and sidewalks of local businesses and residents this coming weekend, Dec. 5. For details visit, https://business.carsonvalleynv.org/events/details/holiday-decorating-contest-36732?calendarMonth=2020-12-01.

Participate in the first Holiday Decorating Contest and be entered into the following categories: Best Holiday Door, Most Creative, People’s Choice, and Best of Show. Judging will take place after dark on Dec. 5. Find a content application here, https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1302/2020/11/Holiday-Dec-Cheer-Contest-Entry-Form-Flyer.pdf.

Douglas County Historical Society

Walk through the gallery of trees on display at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center for the entire month of December. For hours of operation, visit http://historicnv.org/.

The Record-Courier is publishing addresses and photos of Christmas displays. Anyone who doesn’t mind some visitors driving by and wants to share their address with the newspaper should email editor@recordcourier.com