Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights

The traditional lighting of the Christmas trees – both State and City – has been on-going here in the capital city for well over 22 years. This year, Silver & Snowflakes Holiday Tree Lighting is becoming a new tradition, Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights and it begins on Friday evening, December 2nd.

Starting at 5:30 PM at the Capitol, the State trees will be lit, Santa and Mrs. Claus will give out candy canes, and the Carson City 5th Grade Music Students Singing Ensemble will sing. On the podium, will be our own beauty queens, Miss Carson City, Marisal Avitia, and Miss Eagle Valley Outstanding Teen, Adriana Avitia.

A warm feeling envelopes the Capitol as families gather to hear children sing and to watch the tree and all of Carson Street spring to light. The young and young at heart all squeal with delight as Santa arrives in a classic antique fire engine, a 1927 Seagrave, compliments of Warren Engine Co. #1. Willow reindeer made by school children will grace the Capitol lawn.

Following this, the City tree at Nevada and Musser Streets (First Presbyterian Church) will be lit, Santa will ride along Carson Street to get some hot cocoa and cookies outside the Carson Nugget Casino, and then it’s on to Telegraph Square.

Telegraph Square will be a blaze of family fun activities Friday and Saturday: The merchants will be holding Open House with snacks and treats. Enjoy the restaurants, too. Enjoy the musical stylings of Joseph Greco and
Scott Killion as The Tributes.

Telegraph Square activities include: Santa & Mrs. Claus, face painting, clown, bounce house manned by the US Navy, Cactus Jack's HOWDY, and life-sized willow reindeer - Parents, bring your camera for a life-time of
memories.

The Chamber's Young Business Professionals (YBP) will be hosting the annual Chamber Christmas Party on the back patio at High Sierra Brewing Company. Bring a can of food to donate and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Holiday Refreshments served to the public in exchange for a can of food to benefit FISH and Advocates to End Domestic Violence. Buy raffle tickets for great prizes. Mayor Bob Crowell will be on hand, too.

And for the more athletically inclined, the Arlington Square ice skating
rink will hold their Grand Opening of the season. Take a whirl on the ice for a special price (only $4 for skate rental and skate pass). There will be a special Figure Skate Performance at 6:30 PM.

To expand even further into new traditions, Silver & Snowflakes’ downtown activities will resume again on Saturday, December 3rd at noon and continue until 4 PM. At 11:30 AM, follow the Santa Parade along Carson Street from Musser Street into Telegraph Square.

Activities there include: Santa, face painting, clown, bounce house manned by the US Navy, Cactus Jack's HOWDY, live music by The Tributes, and life-sized willow reindeer - Parents, bring your camera for a lifetime of memories.

Kids can draw and create a decoration, ornament or holiday card at our Craft Table staffed by Kidding Around Preschool.

Winners of the annual Kit Carson Trail Art Contest will be announced at 2 PM at Telegraph Square. This year’s theme was “An Abundance of Snow People” and the art was spectacular. You can view all the entries at the Carson City Library through the month of December.

For those in need this holiday season, there are donation opportunities: the first 100 people bringing a warm winter coat will receive a Rose Bud, compliments of Sierra Rose Floral & Gifts and Floral Creations. Bring a can of food for the FISH food barrels.

And, the Arlington Square ice skating rink will again be open for holiday skating from 10 AM to 10 PM. Take a whirl on the ice for a special price (only $4 for skate rental and skate pass).

The monthly Downtown Wine Walk will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, as per usual.

For a complete and detailed schedule, visit http://www.EventsNevada.com/treelighting.html or call 775.887.1294.