Fireworks welcome Christmas season

Carson Valley holiday events begin with Gardnerville’s Christmas Kickoff in Heritage Park today, which will feature, weather permitting, the only fireworks show in Carson Valley.

“Santa will arrive at 5 p.m.,” said Town Administrative Services Manager Carol Louthan. “Carriage rides will start as soon as Santa gets there. We will start the entertainment and serving the drinks and cobbler at 5:30 p.m.”

The popular event features fire pits set up in Gardnerville Park for what promises to be a drizzly evening. The Gardnerville Water Co. will be serving popcorn starting between Santa’s arrival and the start of entertainment.

All About Dance, Northwest Martial Arts and Controlled burn will be the entertainment with the Douglas High School Choir a possibility.

Louthan said fireworks likely won’t start before 6:30 p.m., depending on how long the live entertainment lasts.

True to its name, the Christmas Kickoff is just the start of the Valley’s annual celebration.

The towns of Minden and Genoa both conduct celebrations on Friday night.

In Minden, Santa’s in charge of lighting up the Gazebo in the center of the town’s park.

The lighting starts around 5 p.m. and will feature performances from All About Dance and the Douglas High School Dynamics, Town Administrative Services Manager Rachel Hamer said.

Santa arrives just before 6 p.m. to throw the switch with the help of a lucky child who exchanged a canned food item for a goodie bag. One of the bags has a golden ticket for an all-expenses paid trip to the gazebo for the lighting.

Santa will hang out for photos after the event. The Carson Valley Inn is providing the cookies and the town will offer cider to wash them down with.

Carolers will be rattling the rafters in the Genoa Town Church on Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m. After getting into the holiday mood, carolers will make their way down to Hope Falcke’s tree in downtown and light it around 6:30 p.m. Don’t ask how, but Santa typically makes an appearance in Nevada’s oldest town as people partake in holiday refreshments.

Saturday will be Santa’s big day in Genoa, where he’ll be hosting two seatings for breakfast at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Pancakes, sausage and orange juice are on the menu for $5, with children 3 and under admitted free of charge.

Tickets have to be purchased in advance from the town. Call 775-782-8696.