First Genoa streetlights coming down

Not long after the Douglas County seat left Genoa for Minden, townspeople decided they needed to raise money for streetlights.

That project resulted in one of Carson Valley’s oldest traditions, Candy Dance, begun in 1919.

A century later, the last of those ancient streetlights are going to be taken down.

Genoa Town Board members will face three options, none of which include leaving the lights in place.

According to the town’s agenda, NV Energy is handing the town the choice of removing the lights, installing modern LED lights on the poles, or have the town select new decorative lights to install.

There are only a handful of the old lights still working in Genoa. 

Town Board members are scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. in the Genoa Town Hall for the first time in a year.

They will also hear an update on preparations and the status of the 2021 Candy Dance, Sept. 25-26.

Last year’s event, which features a craft fair and draws up to 30,000 people to Nevada’s oldest town, was cancelled in 2020 due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Candy Dance provides the majority of Genoa’s annual operating fund. Concerns to ensure its success played a role in the town’s offering Main St. Gardnerville Manager Matt Bruback the job of town manager last month.

Also up for discussion at the town’s Wednesday meeting are a request to support the July 4 Genoa Americana Celebration and a request to close Nixon Street on July 18 for a car show.