Candy Dance vendors pouring into Genoa

Squeezing 300 craft vendors, 37 food booths and 30,000 people into the town of Genoa is no easy task.

Former Genoa Town Manager Sheryl Gonzales has it down to a science.

“We stagger so many vendors every hour to come in. Can you imagine getting 300 vehicles in at one time?” Gonzales said. “All they can do is unload their goods. They can’t set up.”

Vendors for the Genoa Candy Dance, Art, Crafts and Food Faire started arriving at 7 a.m. today and will keep coming until 6 p.m.

“It’s a very coordinated process,” Gonzales said. “It’s almost like putting an engine together one piece at a time. It’s a full day. We have a crew of about 15 people helping.”

The 93rd annual Genoa town fundraiser is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Vendors from around the region will sell their handmade jewelry, furniture, clothing, housewares, home decor items and more.

“Sixty percent of our vendors are repeats, which is a good return,” Gonzales said.

On Sunday, when the crowds and the candy are gone, getting everyone out of town is also an exercise in logistics.

“Loading them out of the event is also tricky. We keep the roads closed until everybody is loaded out,” Gonzales said. “The people on the perimeter get out first. It’s like peeling layers of an onion, so people in the middle are the last to leave.”

Tickets for Saturday night’s dinner dance featuring Michael Fender are still available, and candy will be sold all weekend in front of the town hall.

The Masons are hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Parking is on Foothill Road, Genoa Lane and the Genoa Cemetery for $5. Guests can also catch a $3 shuttle ride from Douglas High School or Carson Valley Inn.

For more information, visit www.genoanevada.org.