Sunday, Sept. 3: Things to do around Carson City and Beyond

The great thing about Labor Day weekend is that it just keeps going. The Best in the West Rib Cook-off offers up family fun, live music, and plenty of bar-be-qued delights all the way through Monday. For those with younger kids, consider a day at Mills Park. This is the last weekend for summertime train rides through the cottonwoods. Join Muscle Powered at Silver Saddle Ranch by the Carson River for a bike or hike this morning. Bring water and a camera, you never know what wildlife will make an appearance.

SUNDAY:

• -- Revolution Dog Sports Rat-tacular Barn Hunt at Fuji Park
• -- Family Day at Empire Ranch Golf Course (Kids play free with paid adult green fee, one for one)
• -- Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am-11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• -- Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (meet at 8am; consists of two loops 10-15 miles long each, this will allow a rider to do 10-15 miles or 20-30 miles; ride pace will vary depending on rider level, but usually about 12-16 mph; All riders must have a bicycle in safe working condition, helmet, and closed toed shoes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting site; email Shane: shane@shanetrotter.net with any questions)
• -- First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N. Nevada St. (bar opens 8am, breakfast 8:30am-11am; $8)
• -- Muscle Powered Weekend Day Hike: Hike or Bike at Silver Saddle Ranch to the Mexican Dam - Meet at the Red Barns off Carson River Road. (8:30am; Flat dirt trail about 3.5 miles roundtrip Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the hike meeting site. All hikes require closed-toed shoes, water and lunch. Hats, sunscreen, walking sticks, and snacks are recommended)
• -- Community Yoga with Allison Reitz at Comma Coffee (9am-10am; $10 cash only; beginners are welcome; Bring your mind, body, and mat; a limited number of extra mats will be available)
• -- CCBMX Racing at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex: 1555 Livermore Lane (Cancelled due to holiday)
• -- Heavenly Village Carnival, Art and Music Festival, and Car Show in South Lake Tahoe (Car Show Starts 9am, Rides and Games open at 1pm; Art Show, carnival midway, performers, car show, art show and two live music stages)
• -- 31st annual Blizzard Ski and Snowboard Sale at the Heavenly's California Main Lodge at the Top of Ski Run Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (9am-5pm)
• -- Virginia City’s Civil War Days: Civil War Camp in Miner’s Park (9am-5pm; free, open to the public) First Train Battle (11:20am, $25) Second Train Battle (3:20pm, $25) Night Battle Champagne Train (7pm; $30) Victorian Ball and Dinner at Piper’s Opera House (7:30pm; $12)
• -- Seventh annual Comstock Community Rummage Sale in the Silver City Town Park, Silver City (9am-5pm; bargains, food, fun, and entertainment)
• -- Labor Day Steam up: 1875 Glenbrook Steamed Up and Rides on the V&T #25 Steam Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members; Warren Engine will be selling Hamburgers and Hotdogs Saturday and Sunday)
• -- Virginia and Truckee Round-trip Steam Train Rides: leave from Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (Depart Carson City 10am, please arrive 30 minutes early - Depart Virginia City 3pm; $52, seniors and veterans $48, kids 3-16 $32; tickets limited, available online HERE)
• -- Photography and Regular Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- 29th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Victorian Square, Sparks (10:30am–9pm; 7pm Live Music by Eric Paslay on the Main Stage; Free entertainment, arts and craft vendor show, beer garden, and kids area)
• -- Kids Eat Free at the Fox Brewpub (11am-10pm; with purchase of adult entree)

Not to rush us toward winter too quickly, but the Virginia and Truckee Railway is on the hunt for this year’s Polar Express cast. Brush up on your carols and head to the Eastgate Depot if you’d like to participate in some magic making.

• -- Final Weekend: Carson and Mills Park Railroad Train Rides around Mills Park (train runs every half hour 12pm-5pm; tickets $2 per person or three rides for $5, children two and under are free; hosted by the Carson City Railroad Association)
• -- Bingo fundraiser for CASI at Carson City Senior Center (doors 11:30am, game play 12:30pm-4pm; $10 buy in, extra packs $5, Special games $1 each; 50/50 raffle and door prizes; lunch available; must be 21+)
• -- Music Jam Sunday at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (1pm-3pm; we try to keep it simple so that musicians of all ages and skill levels can participate. We welcome music of all genres and styles; Audience is welcome)
• -- Sunday Porch Party with Mo’z Motley Blues Band at Genoa Bar, Downtown Genoa (2pm-6pm; outdoor stage, fire pit, rum runner bar, and food available from the Genoa Station)
• -- Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
• -- Weekly 9 Ball Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• -- Live Music with Deep Groove at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (5:30pm-8:30pm)
• -- Casting Call/Auditions for 2017 Polar Express Production on the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train at the Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (6pm-9pm; seeking actors, actresses, singers and dancers age 13 to adult to fill roles of Stewards, Elves, Chefs, Conductors, Hobos, Hero Boys and Santa Claus; bring a current headshot or picture, a theatrical resume, a short song to sing acapella and to wear comfortable clothes and shoes; prior acting experience not required)
• -- Live Music with the California Cowboys in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (6pm-10pm)
• -- Virginia City’s Civil War Days: Victorian Ball and Dinner at Piper’s Opera House (7:30pm; $12 includes dinner)
• -- Live Music with Tommy Rocker in ‘The Loft’ inside the Carson Nugget (9pm-1am)

Labor Day commemorates the men and women whose sweat made this such a great country and has been a national holiday since 1894. Celebrate this unofficial end-of-summer with a trip to the lake, a backyard bar-be-que, the parade in Virginia City, or one of the many fun events going on around town. Head over to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for their annual Inter-faith Potluck Picnic and don’t forget to bring some silverware and something yummy to share.

MONDAY: Labor Day

• -- Revolution Dog Sports Rat-tacular Barn Hunt at Fuji Park
• -- Free Swim for all Veterans and Current Military at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; applies to outdoor pools only)
• -- Keep Tahoe Blue Labor Day Beach Cleanup at Commons Beach, Tahoe City (8:30am-12pm; We provide cleanup materials, refreshments and a prize; bring reusable water bottle; RSVP at www.keeptahoeblue.org/laborday )
• -- $1 Bowling and Shoe Rental Specials (9am-10pm at Carson Lanes; 9am-5pm at Gold Dust West)
• -- Heavenly Village Days Car Show in South Lake Tahoe (Events also include poker runs, demonstrations, sidewalk sales from merchants, food and live music)
• -- Labor Day Steam up: 1875 Glenbrook Steamed Up and Rides on the V&T #25 Steam Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members)
• -- Virginia City’s Civil War Days: Civil War Camp in Miner’s Park (9am-12pm; free, open to the public) Labor Day Parade on C Street (12pm) The Battle for “C” Street (12:30pm) Final Train Battle (2:20pm; $25)
• -- 31st annual Blizzard Ski and Snowboard Sale at the Heavenly's California Main Lodge at the Top of Ski Run Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (10am-2pm)
• -- Mimosa Monday all day at Ed’s Doghouse
• -- Final Weekend: Carson and Mills Park Railroad Train Rides around Mills Park (train runs every half hour 12pm-5pm; tickets $2 per person or three rides for $5, children two and under are free; hosted by the Carson City Railroad Association)
• -- 29th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Victorian Square, Sparks (12pm–5pm; 3pm Live Music with A Flock of Seagulls on the Main Stage; Free entertainment, arts and craft vendor show, beer garden, and kids area)
• -- Annual Labor Day Parade in Virginia City (12pm, followed by ‘The Battle for “C” Street’)
• -- Annual Interfaith Potluck Picnic and FISH food drive on the lawn of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church: corner of Division and Telegraph (4pm-6pm; bring a main dish, salad, side dish, or dessert to share in the potluck; please bring your own set of plates, eating utensils, and lawn chair)
• -- Martini Monday at Red’s Old 395 (3pm-6pm; half priced martinis)
• -- High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s Night Out at NEW LOCATION: the Eleventh Frame Lounge inside Carson Lanes (Beginners Class 5:30pm-6:30pm, Intermediate Swing lesson 6:30pm-7:30pm, $8 each class; Free open dancing 7:30pm-10pm)
• -- Casting Call/Auditions for 2017 Polar Express Production on the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train at the Carson City Eastgate Depot: on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East (6pm-9pm; seeking actors, actresses, singers and dancers age 13 to adult to fill roles of Stewards, Elves, Chefs, Conductors, Hobos, Hero Boys and Santa Claus; bring a current headshot or picture, a theatrical resume, a short song to sing acapella and to wear comfortable clothes and shoes; prior acting experience not required)
• -- Live Music with Catfish Carl at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (6pm-10pm)
• -- Live Music with Jonathon “JB” Barton in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (6pm-10pm)
• -- Tabletop Game Night at Carson Cigar Co. AKA the Cigar Bar (7pm-9pm; drink specials for players; games rotate weekly)
• -- Karaoke with J and M Productions at the Fox Brewpub (8pm all ages, 10pm-close ‘karaoke after dark’; drink specials)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go HERE for events beyond Monday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ right here on CarsonNow.org. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information.

As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.