The smell of Washoe Indian fry bread, barbecued ribs and re-enactors' gunsmoke will blend during the 21st annual Carson City Rendezvous this weekend at Mills Park.
Opening Friday night, the event features a special concert, camel rides, Civil War battles and children's theater.
The "Big 21" concert on Saturday night will feature David John and the Comstock Cowboys, Academy of Western Artists' cowboy poet of the year Larry Maurice and the yodeling cowpoke Sourdough Slim.
Cowgirl Karen Quest will perform trick roping while stilt walking, and Kimberly Mink, world champion and record holder, will demonstrate her roping skills.
The special concert, sponsored by Casino Fandango, will be on the main stage in the middle of the park from 4 to 8 p.m.
The mountain men encampment is a journey back to early Nevada. Witness fire-starting with flint and steel, muzzleloading rifles and pistols and tomahawk and knife throwing. Tents with vendors dressed in period clothing will offer beads, pelts, clay pipes and crafts.
Civil War skirmishes with real cannons and muskets, gunfights and Pony Express relay re-enactments are scheduled throughout the Rendezvous. Scottish merchants in traditional clan dress with bagpipes and swords will appear alongside American Indian Village artisans. The Pueblo de Nevada features Spanish music and dances.
More than 80 booths selling handmade crafts will be set up. Outdoor cooking will be demonstrated during the Dutch Oven Cook-off. Camel rides and 1800s games demonstrated by the BAC in Time Kids will entertain children.
On Sunday, a Rendezvous church service is 10 to 11 a.m. on the main stage, The Rev. Robert Bledsaw, known for his bagpipe performances, will preside.
Throughout the weekend, community organizations will sell food to the crowd - predicted to be about 30,000.
Most events are free.
Rendevous schedule
Friday
Noon - Rendezvous opens with crafters, food vendors and encampments. Music on the main stage by the Back Forty Band from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
10-11 a.m. - Opening ceremonies in the field, opening prayer, color guards, Kit Carson and Civil War volunteers and encampment representatives. Rendezvous coloring contest winners presented by Ken Beaton and Mayor Ray Masayko.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. - Civil War re-enactors volunteers and skirmishes, mountain men encampment, Scottish clans, gunfighters show, Pony Express Association demonstrations, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, American Indian village and dancing, camel rides, train rides, main stage entertainment and old-time children's games.
4-8 p.m. - "Big 21 Concert" sponsored by Casino Fandango. David John and the Comstock Cowboys, Larry Maurice, Karen Quest and Sourdough Slim. Special appearance by world-champion trick roper Kimberly Mink.
Sunday
10-11 a.m. - Church service on the main stage, the Rev. Robert Bledsaw presides.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. - All encampments, food court and crafters open to the public. Main stage entertainment includes Back Forty Band, Karen Quest and Sourdough Slim.
On The Net
www.carsoncityrendezvous.com