Nugget marks 57th year of free Thanksgiving meals

The community is invited once again this Thursday to attend the Carson Nugget's annual free Thanksgiving dinner, and Chef Michael Karsky has been busy planning for and preparing the feast for weeks.

More than 400 pounds of turkey, which arrived last week, will be slow-roasted and served alongside 300 pounds of country mashed potatoes, 19 gallons of turkey gravy, 300 pounds of corn, 110 pounds of fresh cranberry sauce, 800 rolls and 120 freshly baked pumpkin and apple pies.

And of course, there also will be yams. Karsky and his prep team spent most of Tuesday preparing yams for the 57th annual feast.

Hundreds of people stream into the Nugget's second-floor ballroom every year to be served the free buffet meal by volunteers from the Nugget's management team.

The Nugget is again geared up to provide a free Thanksgiving feast to the hundreds of Carson City residents who attend each year. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Everyone is welcome, whether they are in need of assistance, don't feel like eating alone, or just don't want to cook a big meal.

The Carson Nugget was built by Richard Graves in 1954, said Star Anderson, the Nugget's general manager, in a press release. Graves quickly helped establish what is now the oldest continuously operating casino in Carson City.

The property grew and expanded under the ownership of brothers Hop and Howard Adams, who bought the casino in the mid-1950s, she said. The casino is now owned by the trust set up by Howard's son, Alan Adams, and Hop's wife, Mae Adams, she said.

The Nugget's main street location at 507 N. Carson St. has given the organization a front-porch view of the Carson community for over 50 years, she said.

"The free Thanksgiving meal is a long-time tradition, but is now also a part of the Nugget's Community First mission - a heartfelt commitment to work hard and help Carson City in ways big and small," Anderson said.

The Nugget also traditionally offers a free Christmas day dinner.