The holiday season is officially underway in the Carson City area, with caroling, holiday crafts, Santa sightings and other events planned this weekend.
Today
Food will be collected from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Governor’s Mansion. The 24th annual Share Your Christmas Drive-by Food Drive will be held in conjunction with the KTVN Channel 2 and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Non-perishable goods will be collected to benefit the local nonprofits Advocates to End Domestic Violence, FISH and Ron Wood Family Resource Center. Additionally, food will be collected at the same time at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. Donate non-perishable food such as canned fruits, canned vegetables, tuna, pasta, and soup. Donations of cash and checks also are accepted.
Based on the beloved holiday film starring Will Ferrell, Elf the Musical Jr., a fish-out-of-water comedy, will play today through Sunday at the Brewery Arts Center. Performances are at 7 p.m. today; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Performance Hall, 449 W. King St. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and students and $5 for ages 4-12. Tickets can be bought at www.wildhorsetheater.com, or by calling 775-887-0438.
Santa and characters from the classic holiday story, “The Polar Express,” will be brought to life on hourlong train rides. Polar Express trains depart from the Carson City Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Road Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 23. Each trip includes a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. Tickets are available and VIP parlor car tickets also are available at http://vttrain.activitytickets.com/activity/357?_ga=1.37163495.675064248.1474306233.
Ice skating at Arlington Square Ice Rink on N. Carson and W. Robinson streets, across from the Carson Nugget, will be open through Jan. 27. Skate sessions are 3-5 and 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 3-5 and 6-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 and 6-10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 and 6-9 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $7 for ages 13 and up and $5 for ages 3-12. Skate rentals are $3 per session. For after school skating and other specials, go to carson.org/icerink.
Free holiday events are being held at Genoa Candy & Coffee, located at Carson Lanes at 4600 Snyder Ave. Cookie decorating is from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Christmas for children 10 and younger. Frappe Night, offering an assortment of frappuccinos for $5 per person, is 5-7 p.m. Fridays through Jan. 1. It includes chess, checkers, gin rummy and other games.
Saturday
New paintings and prints will be featured at Charles Muench’s annual Holiday Studio Show at his Ruhenstroth studio in Gardnerville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fifteen “big little paintings,” or paintings finished on a small scale, about 6-by-8-inches, and created in layers over multiple sittings, will be displayed. Many of the pieces depict the Carson Valley and Sierra. They can be purchased during the show or at www.charlesmuench.com.
Drop in to Bradway Properties from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday for pictures with Santa in exchange for unwrapped gifts and gift cards. Donations go to Friends For All and Toys for Tots, local charities serving seniors and children. Bradway Properties is at 1000 N. Carson St.
Virginia City’s Christmas on the Comstock, a month-long holiday celebration, offers photos with Santa Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 17-18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia City Visitors Center, 86 S. C St.
Santa will join the crew of the V&T Railroad on Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 18. Trains run from the Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St. Children are invited to visit with Santa and write him a letter while enjoying holiday treats and other festivities. Tickets are $5 per person; children under 4 are free. For tickets, go to http://museums.nevadaculture.org.
Santa will be at Benson’s Feed and Tack, 2750 Highway 50, for photos with pets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event is sponsored by Carson Animal Services Initiative.
The second of five trail runs in the 8th annual Be Bold, Run in the Cold winter trail series takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Western Nevada College. Presented by Ascent Runs, every run in the series will have two distances to choose from, a 5K and a 10K+. The 5K will usually by between 3-4 miles. The 10K+ will be anywhere between 6-8 miles, depending on conditions. If conditions are ideal, the course is 7-8 miles. If conditions are not so nice, the course is close to 6 miles. To register, go to http://ascentruns.com/events/winter-trail-series/run-with-rudolph/.
Make a pine needle angel to decorate your Christmas tree and craft a holiday wreath out of pinecones from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. Besides holiday crafts, the event will cover how to tell a pine from a fir or spruce by looking at their cones and needles. Families also will find out what kinds of animals eat pine nuts and how American Indians gathered, stored, and processed nuts for food. No reservations are needed, and all ages are welcome.
A Cowboy Christmas Concert returns to Nevada’s oldest settlement on Saturday. The concert features holiday classics and original works from Mary Kaye and the Kaye Sisters. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Genoa Town Hall, 2289 Main St. Tickets cost $20 per person. Admission for children 12 and under is $15. Call 775-782-8696.
Santa is ditching his sleigh this year to make his way through a portion of Carson City on the U.S.S. Nevada. The Olde Time Christmas Santa Parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday. Lineup begins at 10:30 a.m. on the corner of W. Telegraph and Curry streets. The parade route is two blocks long, from Telegraph and Curry streets to Musser and Carson streets, and then back to Telegraph Street. Santa will be on the porch of Rocking and Rolling at Telegraph Square from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Telegraph Square also will welcome food trucks, vendors, face painting and other children’s activities from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food will be collected for Friends In Service Helping. A basket with gifts from local merchants and restaurants will be raffled off at the event. Tickets can be purchased at Rocking and Rolling anytime before the event.
Holiday music by the Douglas High School Madrigal Singers will fill Greenhouse Garden Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. A winning raffle ticket will be drawn during the performance. The winner must be present. Call 775-882-8600.
Once again, the bakers from Corpus Christi Catholic Church will be offering a festive selection of holiday cookies for $9 per pound. The 6th Annual Cookie Walk is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 3597 N. Sunridge Drive. Each box of cookies is custom created by the buyer. Call 775-267-3200.
Tell Santa your holiday wishes from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at DeBug Computer, 1817 N. Stewart St., Suite 30. Come by for treats, and visit and take pictures with Santa. The event is free, but there is a recommended $5 donation to have your child’s or pet’s picture taken with Santa. All donations will go to the Carson City Sheriff’s Office’s Holiday with a Hero program.
Every year since 2001, the First United Methodist Church has re-enacted the night of Christ’s birth as a drive-thru, Living Nativity. Lit by 800 luminaria and occupying an entire city block, 10 scenes are depicted as cars drive by. Walkers also enjoy the story from a walking path. During the course of two nights, nearly 200 people of all ages are involved in telling the story, along with live donkeys, cows and sheep. No fees are charged, though canned food is collected for those in need. This year’s Living Nativity will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The entrance is at Division and King streets, west of Carson Street. Go to www.carson1umc.org.
Savor hot chocolate, cider, candy canes and cookies on a magical trip from Virginia City’s F Street Depot. Rides on vintage, heated coaches are planned at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the V&T’s Candy Can Express Trains are $18 for adults and $7 for children at http://virginiatruckee.com/theme-trains-events/.
Dayton Valley Library presents “Breakfast with Santa” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike St. in Downtown Dayton. Come and enjoy breakfast with Mr. and Ms. Santa who will be dressed in their traditional red coat and hat and will be passing out candy canes to the little ones and listening to their Christmas wish list. Bring along a non-perishable food item to donate in exchange for a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Food donations help local families enjoy the holidays this year.
Children are invited to the Douglas County Public Library in Minden for a make-and-take holiday crafts event. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, children can make up to four holiday crafts to take home. All supplies will be provided by the library. The Minden branch is at 1625 Library Lane.
Join Dayton Valley Dog Park for the Lighting and Blessing of the Christmas Tree from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is held to spread cheer this holiday season to four-legged and two-legged friends. The tree blessing will be given by Father Mike of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Hot beverages and treats will be served for all. The park is at Dayton Valley and Como Roads in Dayton.
Sunday
An aural feast of seasonal and holiday entertainment is in store when the Carson City Symphony presents its 33rd Annual Holiday Treat concert from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Bob Boldrick Theater inside the Carson City Community Center. The program also features the Carson City Symphony Chorus and New Victorian Dancers. Lobby entertainment begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors, students and Symphony Association members. The concert is free for ages 18 and under. For tickets, go to the Carson City Visitors Bureau, 716 N. Carson St., or buy them at the door.
The Carson City Historical Society is holding its Christmas Party from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Bliss Mansion, 608 Elizabeth St. Finger food refreshments will be by A Catered Affaire. Wine and cider will be served by the society. Entertainment will be provided by Kim Harris as Julia Bulette, one of the most famous characters who lived in Virginia City during the Comstock Load era. All society members and friends of the society are welcome. Reservations are $30 and can be called in to Paula Cannon at 887-8865 by Dec. 7.
Have an event? Send it to editor@nevadaappeal.com.