Generous donations to help make RSVP fireworks display spectacular

Donations to the Fourth of July fireworks reached their highest peak ever due to the Carson City Chamber of Commerce vigorously pursuing funding for the event.

The fireworks show on the Fourth of July is part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's annual carnival at Mills Park, which runs today through Wednesday.

The highlight of the funding campaign was the donation from the Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers - Carson City Toyota, Reno Toyota and Fallon Toyota - of $10,000. This donation put RSVP over the top to provide one of the biggest fireworks shows in Northern Nevada, according to Josh Jorgensen, general manager of Lantis Fireworks, an international fireworks company.

The fireworks show will start about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and is best seen from Mills Park. Admission is free.

"The Fourth of July celebration needs to be a community event. Everyone should contribute something, as everyone can enjoy it at no cost. RSVP shouldn't have to shoulder the whole responsibility," said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

Dana Whaley, general manager of Carson City Toyota said the Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers had been thinking about doing this for sometime, and Ronni Hannaman's e-mail for support just triggered the response.

Other financial supporters of the fireworks are the city of Carson City, Southwest Gas, Sierra Pacific Power, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Carson City Redevelopment, Adele's, Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Inland Empire Shows Carnival. For years, the Greater Nevada Credit Union was the sole funder.

The fair opens at Mills Park today with the famous Inland Empire Shows Carnival opening at 4 p.m. The carnival will continue at noon on Saturday and Sunday, then at 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and finally at noon on Wednesday.

The six-day event features special all-day ride passes every day for $25, or $15 with a $10-off coupon that can be printed from www.funNbiz.com. New this year are two "Family Fun Nights" on Monday and Tuesday. Mom or dad can ride free with their ticketed child all night. Beer and mixed drinks will be available, plus hot dogs, nachos, tacos, roasted corn and potatoes, turkey legs, tri tips, pork ribs, Italian sausage, burgers, shaved ice and much more.

Thirty rides, games and attractions will be back from last year like the "Sea Ray" pirate ship, Zipper, Super Tilt-a-Whirl, European Bumper Cars, the Glass House, Sky Fighter, Star Trooper, Fire Truck Slide and Merry-Go-Round, plus lots of kiddie rides for the little ones.

Many new games and tests of skill will also be available on the midway and new promotions to make them more fun. Player's Bonus Coupons will be available each time a game is played for each $1 they spend. So even if the player never wins a game he can redeem his bonus coupons for a prize at any booth.

In addition, everyone receives "Carnival Bucks" upon purchasing ride tickets. They get $1 off any large or medium drink with a food purchase, $1 off a bag of cotton candy, and three, $1 discount coupons for various games on the midway.

Along with unique arts and crafts vendors will be John Robert Powers of Reno, who will be accepting audition applications for opportunity and development. For information, call 851-2062 or visit them at the fair.

All proceeds from the fair go toward RSVP's Home Companion and Lifeline Programs which assist homebound seniors to remain independent and in their homes as long as possible rather than be prematurely institutionalized. For information on RSVP programs go to www.nevadaruralrsvp.org.

For information on the carnival, call RSVP at 687-4680, or e-mail: branded@rsvp.carson-city.nv.us.

For Carson City lodging information go to www.visitcarsoncity.com.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

If you go

WHAT: RSVP annual Fourth of July Carnival

WHEN: 4 p.m. today; noon on Saturday-Sunday; 4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; noon on Wednesday.

WHERE:

COST: Free admission; all-day ride tickets available for $25 per person, $10-off coupon available on-line at www.funNbiz.com

ALSO: Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Best viewing spot is from Mills Park

CALL: 687-4680