Teri’s Notebook: It’s summer — time to get off the couch

Summer is always a bustling time in Carson City, full of activities and places to go. Our weather is perfect for long days spent outdoors.

In what Kyle Horvath, social media manager for the Carson City Visitors Bureau, is calling the unofficial kickoff to summer, next Saturday is going to be bursting with community events. You can choose one of the events to attend or, better yet, try to fit in two or three of them.

The Capital City Brewfest, featuring more than 30 breweries, will be 2-8 p.m. along Curry Street from Fourth to Musser streets. Area restaurants will be open to customers as will food trucks. Waiter and waitress races will also be taking place.

Trippin’ King Snakes will be playing classic rock and country, with D.J. Red filling in on breaks.

All proceeds from the Brewfest will go to a $12,000 scholarship awarded annually by the Carson City Rotary.

Get your tickets at visitcarsoncity.com.

That evening, the Carson City Smackdown is returning to Fuji Park. It’ll start at 6 p.m. and feature bull riding, bronc riding and barrel racing.

Things will look a little different this year as promoter Manuel Souza is bringing in a Professional Bull Riding arena to put inside the park.

That will put the bucking chutes 60 to 80 feet from the grandstands, giving rodeo-goers a view straight down into the chutes. Souza said it will be like watching an indoor rodeo in an outdoor venue.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. You can get them at visticarsoncity.com or at the Carson City Visitors Bureau, 716 N. Carson St.; Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St.; Carson Lanes, 4600 Snyder Ave.; and Benson’s Feed, 2750 Highway 50 East.

The Downtown Wine Walk will be 1-5 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and available at the Carson Nugget, Cactus Jack’s, Carson Jewelry and Loan, the Brewery Arts Center, Touched by Angels and Comma Coffee.

The free Summer Concert Series begins Saturday with Mumbo Gumbo at the Brewery Arts Center.

For more than 25 years, Mumbo Gumbo has been one of Northern California’s top groups, releasing nine original music CDs and collecting numerous “Sammie” and “Best of Sacramento” awards.

Their music contains elements of soul, zydeco, folk, blues, rock, cajun, Carribean, and country all mixed into their uniquely festive roots-music sound.

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Speaking of big events coming up, I’m getting married in two weeks. No one is more shocked by the development than me. I had already settled into life as a spinster.

But I have a favor to ask of you.

Will you share with me your best marriage advice — either things to do or not to do to make a successful union.

I’ll compile the advice for a future column. And save it for future reference.

You can email me at teri vance@rocketmail.com.

Teri Vance is a journalist, freelance writer and native Nevadan. Contact her with column ideas at terivance@rocketmail.com.