Volunteers work on the planting beds at Heritage Park Gardens on Thursday morning in Gardnerville in preparation for Saturday's plant sale and open house.
Celebrate the growing season at the Heritage Park Garden’s Open House and Plant Faire this weekend. This free event takes place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at 1461 Ezell St. in Gardnerville.
In addition to a selection of plants and other garden goodies available for purchase, organizers have planned a scavenger hunt and activities in the Children’s Garden. Meander through the community garden grounds to see the recent and ongoing updates to the space, stroll the labyrinth, rest in the shade of the gazebo, or play a game of chess or checkers.
I recently picked up some fantastic native and adaptive native plants during the sale at River Fork Ranch, and I plan to stop by this sale, too. Because they are accustomed to the challenging growing climate of our area, all the plants I purchased are thriving, and I can’t wait to see how well they establish through the summer and into fall.
Learn more about Heritage Park Gardens at mainstreetgardnerville.org/heritage-park-gardens/.
Springing toward summer
Local artists showcase their talents at the Douglas County Historical Society’s Art and Wine on the Green this weekend at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Main St. in Gardnerville.
The event is scheduled 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from each day. Artists from in and around the Carson Valley will have a variety of hand-crafted creations for sale including fine art, jewelry, paintings, and photographic art. Attendees can enjoy a leisurely afternoon perusing the different booths while sipping wine and enjoying the scenic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.
Admission is free, and proceeds benefit the DCHS, whose mission is “to enrich lives by preserving and collecting local history and making it accessible to our communities and visitors.”
Fun bubbles over during Family Fun Day
Mark your calendars for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 7 and the Family Fun Day at the Gardnerville museum.
Museum Director Emeritus Dennis Little said the day “is packed full of fun activities for the entire family.” Giant Bubbles on the Green includes carnival games, Bubble Pop, and Bubble Chase, and everyone gets a chance to see if they can create the largest bubble. Once again, the 4-H Herpetology Club returns with a presentation of cold-blooded critters, giving people an opportunity to experience live reptiles and amphibians up-close.
“Club members will present their own live projects and teach the public about these often misunderstood yet fascinating creatures,” said Little.
Because this Family Fun Day features live animals, a waiver is required for all participants. Forms are available at the museum on the day of the event, or may be preprinted from the DCHS website, historicnv.org and brought that day.
Family Fun Days are held the first Saturday of the month (except July) at CVMCC, and admission is free. These events are sponsored in part by Renewal by Andersen, The WNC Foundation for Children and Families, and the Dennis R. Little Trust.
During 2025, each visit to the museum on Family Day earns a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the museum bookstore. The drawing is scheduled for Dec. 8, and the winner need not be present to win.
For more information about these and other museum events, call 775-782-2555.
Fun Run series set to start during Carson Valley Days
Main Street Gardnerville’s annual “We Run This Town” fun run/walk series hits the ground running with the Carson Valley Days Classic 5K on June 14.
The run takes place the morning of the annual Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club No. 85 annual parade. It begins at Heritage Park and follows the parade route along Highway 395 before returning to the park prior to the start of the parade. Participants are encouraged to dress in this year’s CV Days theme, “Jurassic Valley.”
The 2025 race series includes the “Freedom 5K Run for the Wreath” on July 4 and the Pink Run in October. Those who complete all three races in the series earn a coveted “I Run This Town” tee-shirt.
Visit mainstreetgardnerville.org/annual-events/partnerships-registrations/werunthistown/ for more information or to register online.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.