Genoa Cowboy festival rides into town this week

A painting of a faceless cowboy rounding up horses in the snow was selected as this year’s poster for the Genoa Cowboy Festival.

Douglas County resident La Vonne La Tulip Vasick created the art.

“I enjoy the challenge of painting the complex textures, forms, and patterns found in nature, such as the bark of trees, the perfect placement of petals, dust from the motion of horses, the atmosphere of a snowy day, and the color pallet of our western sunrises and sunsets,” Vasick said. “I am influenced by seasonal light and how it changes the appearance and atmosphere of each subject, altering textures and forms and layering complexity. I am attracted to the silent beauty of the snow. The challenge of capturing wildlife action is alluring, and I am similarly drawn to Nevada history and ranching scenes.”

In her home studio, which overlooks Carson Valley, she produces original paintings and limited edition fine art Giclée prints and exhibition-quality canvas.

Her medium is transparent watercolor, and she is a versatile painter of impressionist landscapes, flora and wildlife.

Contact Vasick through her website, www.nevadartbylavonne.biz.

In its fifth year, The Genoa Cowboy Festival is April 30-May 3.

A variety of daytime events are free at the festival this year including Chautauquas, living history tours, musical performances, cowboy poetry, melodramas, historical reenactments and more.

There will also be a barn dance and barbecue on Thursday night at the Trimmer Outpost barn.

The Genoa Maverick’s Cowboy Fast Draw Instructional Workshop will be at the Dake House (at the south end of Genoa) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and again from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday.The Genoa Mavericks will have experienced gun handlers on site to instruct in the proper use of the “fast draw” firearms. Purchase 10 shots for $5 and try your hand at being an Old West gunslinger.

Other events around Genoa include a Dutch oven cooking demonstration and a birding tour at the River Fork Ranch on Genoa Lane.

In between performances and workshops, mosey over to the cowboy mercantile for crafts and clothing, or peruse some Western fine art in the Town Hall, Mormon Station State Park and volunteer fire station.

Headline performers Lacy J. Dalton & The Dalton Gang, Larry Maurice, Richard Elloyan and Steve Wade take to the main stage May 1 inside the Mormon Station Park Stockade.The following night’s lineup includes The Western Flyers, Gary Allegretto and Mike Beck.

Tickets for the concerts are $30-$45 depending on the seating.

Sunday wraps up with Cowboy Church and the Greater Genoa Business Association’s Sweet Sippin’ Sunday.

A full schedule of events and tickets for the main stage concerts are available at www.genoacowboyfestival.org.