'Tis the season to let holiday lights shine

Thursday night, Carson City will again see the light.

With a flip of the switch, Congressman-elect Dean Heller will officially welcome the holiday season to the Capital City during the Silver & Snowflake Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.

The festivities begin on the Capitol grounds at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by the Carson City Fifth-Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble, accompanied by the Carson Middle School's Red Hot Bell Peppers handbell choir.

Santa is scheduled to arrive at about 5:40 p.m. accompanied by his usual vehicle and chauffeur when he is in Carson City, a decorated 1926 Model T driven by Beau the dog.

"I've had all kinds of offers from other vehicles to bring Santa to the ceremony, but most of them are horse-drawn and with that many people, they wouldn't do," said Maxine Neitz, event coordinator.

The actual tree lighting is scheduled for approximately 5:45 p.m., followed by remarks from Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira and a candlelight procession to the city tree at the First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Musser and Nevada streets.

City Hall will host an open house with food and drinks from 6:30-7 p.m. featuring songs by Chorus on the Comstock and refreshments.

"The Old Town Carson City merchants are really getting into it this year, and we are glad to welcome them back to the festivities," Neitz said.

Following the tree lighting, 22 businesses will hold open houses. Father Christmas, Mrs. Claus, talking reindeer and elves will stroll downtown to greet and take pictures with guests. Free carriage rides will also be offered throughout the evening beginning in Telegraph Square.

The merchants association will also be hosting carolers by the Carson Chamber Singers and the Chorus of the Comstock. Dressed in Victorian costume, they will start at the Nevada State Museum and stroll along Carson and Curry streets. The festivities will run Friday night beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

In addition to the festivities in Old Town Carson City, the Festival of Trees silent auction at the Nevada State Library and Archives will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday to allow residents more chances to bid before the auction closes at 5 p.m. Friday.

With forecasts calling for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 20s, Neitz said she hopes not to have a repeat of last year when heavy rain forced the Capitol ceremony indoors and caused the cancellation of the city tree lighting.

"We are looking forward to filling the Capitol lawn and showing everyone how Nevada does Christmas," Neitz said. "We'd like to kick off the holiday season by making it a small-town Christmas celebration, kind of like the ones (people) remember."

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Tree-lighting schedule of events:

5:30 p.m. - Carson City Fifth- Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble performs. Carson Middle School Red Hot Bell Peppers handbell choir will accompany them.

5:35 p.m. - Santa arrives in a 1926 Model T Ford. He will be giving out candy canes.

5:40 p.m. - Remarks by Congressman-elect Dean Heller.

5:45 p.m. - Tree lighting; all of

Carson Street is lit up.

5:55 p.m. - Remarks by Mayor Marv Teixeira.

6 p.m. - Candlelight procession to City Tree at Musser and Nevada streets, First Presbyterian Church, with songs by Chorus of the Comstock and the Homeschool Singers. Bring a flashlight for the candlelight

procession.

6:15 p.m. - City tree lighting.

6:30-7 p.m. - City Hall open house.