Kite flying and rummage sale kick off summer at Dangberg

Music, Chautauqua, historians, and more return to Dangberg Historic Park beginning in May, with more than 30 events announced for the Dangberg Summer Festival schedule.

“We are looking forward to another exciting season of bringing premium programming to the public in one of Nevada’s most beautiful venues,” said Park Events Manager Kim Harris.

The season opens with Kite Weekend 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cameron and Reina Kauffman of Coolkiter.com will bring their assortment of kites, kites for high wind, and kites for no wind. This event is free.

“We are always happy to let the public try our kites and we just really enjoy sharing our passion,” said Cameron Kauffman. “Everyone is also welcome to bring their own kites, and we’ll suggest flying tips and tricks to anyone who asks.”

Joining the event this year is PBS Reno Kids Club, with a booth on Saturday. Activities planned for children include decorating their own pair of small binoculars and a scavenger hunt that includes a reward of a Curious George Flies a Kite book. Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch, the nonprofit that operates the park, is also giving free, basic kites to children, while supplies last.

That same weekend, Friends of Dangberg will hold Scatter’s Attic, a fundraising rummage sale. The sale is opens at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Anyone wishing to donate gently used or unused household goods for re-sell is welcome to bring them to the park by 5 p.m. Thursday.

The festival will again feature six concerts, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Granna starts things off June 8, performing traditional Celtic music. Also returning to the Home Ranch later in the summer are favorites Old West Trio, The Catahoula Mardi Gras Party Band, and Carolyn Dolan & Big Red. Appearing new this season is First Take featuring Rick Metz, playing vocal jazz from the great American song book. Concert tickets are $20 for 17 years and older, and free for 16 years and younger.

Favorite Chautauquans will appear throughout the Summer Festival performing a series of intriguing historical figures. A special Chautauqua event on 1 p.m. June 17 is first, with award-winning Chautauquan Mary Ann Jung portraying Rosie the Riveter, honoring America's World War II home front heroes.

Also appearing on the Home Ranch stage are Civil War nurse Clara Barton, portrayed by Susan Marie Frontczak; record-setting test pilot Chuck Yeager, by Doug Mishler; and convicted Salem “witch” Mary Perkins Bradbury by Kim Harris; along with several other ticketed performances 6:30 p.m. selected Wednesday. Tickets for the June 17 event and all of the evening Chautauquas are $15 for 17 and older, and free for 16 and younger.

Chautauquans will also appear at the park in a new series of free events on selected Friday mornings. These include portrayals of Rancher and politician Fred Dangberg Jr., by Mike Hall, Nevada journalist Nellie Mighels Davis by DebiLynn Smith and Vikingsholm Castle builder Lora Josephine Knight by Guinevere Hobdy.

For those interested in learning to be a Chautauquan, or honing their skills, a workshop on the topic will be conducted 10 a.m. to noon June 17. The workshop is open to ages 14 years and older and will include a presentation on the history and influence of the origins of the Chautauqua movement by Debbe Nye, as well as interactive instruction by award winning actress and Smithsonian scholar Mary Ann Jung. Jung has appeared on CNN, Today Show, and Good Morning America, and portrays several nationally known historic figures. The workshop fee is $50 and includes entry to all ticketed Chautauquas in 2023. Advance registration is required.

This season’s Chautauqua programs are all funded in part by a generous grant from Nevada Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities.

For over 10 years the park has been a place where scholars have shared their research, and favorite speakers and authors return this season with presentations on various subjects. Dr. Michael Fischer returns to speak on the origins of the Basque hotel, and Wendell Huffman will present “Wood for the Comstock” again, by popular demand.

Returning authors will share their current work. The first is Mark McLaughlin, speaking on his book, “SNOWBOUND!” 10 a.m. June 24. Later this season, Karen Dustman will speak on her newest biography, “King of the Comstock South.” New authors will be featured as well, including Clare Frank, author of “Burnt: A Memoir of Fighting Fire,” and local historian Linda Reid will share her Carson Valley family history, “A Window in Time.” Several other local authors are scheduled as well. All speaker and author presentations are free.

Space in the performance tent is limited, and advance purchase of concert and Chautauqua tickets is recommended. Tickets will be available beginning June 1, with a ticketing link at Dangberg.org. Members of Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch are eligible for discounted admission and early access to tickets, as a thank-you for their charitable donation to the 501(c)(3) non-profit Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch. More information, including a donation form, is at Dangberg.org.

Visitors should bring their own lawn chair or other seating for all events, and only genuine service animals are allowed. Guests are welcome to bring snacks and libations, as no food or beverages will be available. All events take place outdoors under a large tent. For more information about visiting the park, including guided tours, please visit Dangberg.org.

Funding in support of the 2023 Dangberg Summer Festival has been provided by sponsors Douglas County, Carson Valley Health, Central Sierra Construction, Horse Tales, Terrence K. Lapan AAMS® Financial Advisor at Ameriprise, Warren Reed Insurance, Christensen Automotive of Gardnervlle, D & B Cabinets, Douglas Disposal & Recycling Service, Edward Jones Investments—Tim Cleveland, Hone Company, Holiday Inn Express—Minden, and Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation.