It will be a busy long weekend in Carson City with the events culminating in the RSVP Fourth of July fireworks at about 9 p.m. Monday. The best place to view the fireworks will be at Mills Park. RSVP will be hosting a fundraiser including seating and dinner for the fireworks. For information, including ticket packages visit https://nevadaruralrsvp.networkforgood.com/events/44407-4th-of-july-2022 Before the fireworks, step back in history and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the rail line that connected Virginia City and San Francisco for passenger service via the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The Great Western Steam Up takes place Friday through Monday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The event includes an unprecedented “reunion” of V&T locomotives from the heyday of the railroad – nicknamed the Queen of the Short Lines, organizers said in a press release. Built in the 1860s to haul freight and silver-laced ore from the mines of Virginia City to the mills along the Carson River, the V&T soon expanded to Reno and Minden and at its peak in the 1870s, it was running 45 trains a day and earning $100,000 in profits a month. By the 1930s, the silver boom had ended and much of the V&T rolling stock was sold to Hollywood for use in the film industry. The railroad ceased operation in 1950. For the Fourth of July celebration, the Nevada State Railroad Museum collaborated with nearly a dozen rail museums and historical societies from around the West for artifacts from the era of steam-powered locomotion. “We wanted it to be a kinetic experience, so everything there is operating. It’s not a typical museum experience where everything is what we call ‘stuffed and mounted.’ A lot of this is working artifacts, so you can hear it, smell it, taste it and feel it," said Todd Moore, president of the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the event’s primary sponsor. “That means steam locomotives that are operational will be under power,” Moore said. On display will be: No. 1 Lyon (replica), No. 11 Reno, No. 12 Genoa, No. 18 Dayton, No. 21 J.W. Bowker, No. 22 Inyo and No. 25. "It’s the first time in 80 years that some of these sister locomotives have been on the same track together,” said Dan Thielen, director of the Nevada State Railroad Museum. “It’s incredible when you think about it.” A steam-powered printing press will be operating. Kids can get their hands dirty by panning for gold. It’s four days of live music, lost-arts crafts, hands-on kids’ activities, train rides, food trucks and frosty beverages. Proceeds will benefit the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. Event information, schedules, ticket sales and more are available at greatwesternsteamup.com. • The El Dorado National Forest Association will offer free interpretive hikes, “Walk Among the Trees” at 10 a.m. today, “The Geology of Carson Pass” at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, as well as two additional hikes “Devil’s Ladder History Hike” and “Wild Flower Hike” at 10 a.m. Saturday. Space is limited. To reserve a spot, call 209-258-8606. • Local audiences can expect to be presented with a classic car show and live music featuring Craig Fletcher and Terri Campillo on Thursday, June 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Empire Ranch Golf Course in Carson City. • The Carson Comedy Club will have reoccurring shows at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday inside the Carson Nugget. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the winner’s club starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. For information, visit www.ccnugget.com • The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on weekends and state and federal holidays. Guests can access the self-guided cellphone audio tour to explore the historic campus after business hours. For information, call Bobbi Rahder at 775-687-7606 or at brahder@nic.nv.gov • The Carson City Farmers Market is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 412 N. Stewart St., in the parking lot east of the Carson Nugget. For information, visit www.carsonfarmersmarket.com • Shoppers will find antiques, collectables, furniture, and general swap merchandise at the Open-Air Vintage Market on Saturday, July 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • The Carson Mall presents a carnival fun fair on Saturday, July 2 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will include games, a hot dog eating contest, and bounce houses. Entry fee is $15 for unlimited games and bounce house usage. • The Carson City Wine Walk is held on the first Saturday of each month from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online at www.downtowncarson.org/carson-city-wine-walk prior to check-in, located at the Brewery Arts Center. • The Carson City Historical Society will show “Notable Women of Eagle Valley” each Saturday (through Nevada Day) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Forman-Robert’s House Museum in Carson City. • Weekly star parties have resumed at WNC’s Jack C. Davis Observatory with the next party set for Saturday, July 2 from 7 to 11 p.m. For information, visit www.wnc.enu/observatory • Rocky Dawuni will perform at the Levitt AMP Music Series on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. For information, directions, or a schedule of performances, visit www.breweryarts.org.
