Carson holiday festivities start Thursday

Carson City's holiday season begins with a flurry of lights and ice skaters as the annual Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights takes place Thursday. However, no actual snow flurries are in the forecast.

More than 100 reindeer made by Willow Bill, who worked with Boy Scouts and students from schools around the area to supply enough reindeer to be positioned for 22 miles, will be placed on Highway 395 from Les Schwab on South Carson Street to Nevada Lynn's in Pleasant Valley.

"We'll have more than 100 reindeer down Highway 395" said Maxine Nietz, Arlington Group partner. "All the lights are on the trees and ready to go for Thursday. The tree lighting has been held continuously since 1989."

In addition to Gov. Jim Gibbons lighting the state tree at the Capitol, Miss Nevada, Julianna Erdesz, who was also Miss Carson City, will be present.

"We are fortunate to have Miss Nevada this year," Nietz said. "We're very happy."

Santa will arrive in a 1926 Ford Model T, driven by Beauregard, the golden retriever.

"I got a call from Beauregard, and he wants people to know he's a reliable and extremely good driver," Nietz said. "He said Santa will be safe in his paws."

The state tree is a 95-foot-tall Colorado blue spruce, planted in 1876 by George Washington Gale Ferris, father of the inventor of the Ferris wheel. In 1999, Dema Guinn, wife of former Gov. Kenny Guinn, planted a new tree. Both will be lit.

"The city tree at First Presbyterian Church, corner of South Nevada and Musser streets, will be lit by the mayor and board of supervisors. There will be carolers and Santa, too."

City officials are foregoing the open house at City Hall, instead celebrating the grand opening of the Arlington Skating Rink in the Carson Nugget's west parking lot on North Carson Street at West Spear Street.

"After the Capitol and city trees are lit, we welcome everyone to go to the Nugget parking lot and partake in ice skating."

Skate rentals will be available in toddler sizes through adult 16. Cost is $7 general admission, $5 for youth 12 and younger, and skate rental is $2. If you bring a new pair of mittens, socks, gloves or a hat, skating is free.

Entertainment will be provided by Carson City's 300-voice Fifth-Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble accompanied by the Carson Middle School Red Hot Bell Peppers; Santa will hand out candy canes.

Evening temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-40s Thursday.

For information, call 887-1294.

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