Plenty to do around home on Labor Day

If you plan on staying put this upcoming Labor Day weekend, there will be plenty to keep you busy in and around Carson City.

From a Civil War re-enactment to a multicultural fair for kids, there is something designed to entertain everyone.

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada is putting on It's a Small World, its first multicultural festival geared to the whole family, but focusing on entertainment and education for children.

The event features food and performances from a wide variety of cultures including African, Chinese, Irish, Basque, Hawaiian, Latino and American Indian.

There will be 16 performing groups and after each performance children will be invited to learn what they've just seen or another song or dance from that culture, according to Jim Peckham, executive director at the museum.

"So after the African dance and drum performance they might teach them a song or dance, something that is culturally relevant," Peckham said.

There also will be craft booths and activities such as face painting and a pop-up park.

The idea for the event came from the many cultural events the children's museum has been hosting in the last few years, said Peckham.

"We've had Irish dancers and African drummers and a Chinese New Year celebration," said Peckham. "It made sense to bring all this together."

It's a Small World takes place noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6 at the Carson City Community Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors; children 5 years old and younger are admitted for free. Proceeds benefit the museum.

Virginia City hosts its annual Civil War re-enactment and parade, a three-day event that for the first time includes a night train battle.

"It's really an evening battle," said Dr. Izabella Hunt-Jones, secretary and event coordinator with the Comstock Civil Reenactors, which is putting on the event. "We put a flat car and a cannon on the train, with 150 people on the train, and then we get attacked."

The night train leaves at 7 p.m. Sept. 5. Tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 years old and younger. Other battle trains leave at 1:05 p.m. on Sept. 5 and at 11:20 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 6 and 7.

A Victorian high tea is being served at 3 p.m. on Sept. 5. Tickets are $15 for ages 12 and older.

All other events are free and include an antique show and sale in the Delta Saloon on Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a church service at Miner's Park at 9 a.m. Sept. 6, a barbecue starting at 5:30 p.m. and a dance starting with live Civil War music performed by the Thrown Together Band on Sept. 6, and the Virginia City parade on C Street starting at noon on Sept. 7.

The Civil War camp at Miner's Park is open to the public from

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6.