In the midst of a summer season already packed with an incredible selection of possibilities for things to do in Carson Valley, there is one particular week that seems to encapsulate virtually all of them, with the added bonus of being a point of local pride. You read the title right; Carson Valley Days as an event has been around for well over 100 years now, though its shape may have changed here and there ahead of its current iteration—and may continue to do so far into the future. But how did it get its start?
“Humble beginnings” is a phrase that could be applied to most respected local institutions in Carson Valley, and it’s something that’s baked into the very culture of the area. Carson Valley Days began as “Carson Valley Day” on June 11, 1910, and was conceived as a way to showcase the Town of Minden amid the opening of its brand-new train depot. An estimated 2,000 people attended the festivities that day in Minden Park, during which baseball games and a balloon ascension occurred throughout the day, with a dance taking place that night. And so began a yearly tradition that would stand the test of time, with a few notable additions along the way!
While initially a town event, Carson Valley Day’s return in 1946 after World War II happened with the help of new organizers, the Active 20-30 Club of Carson Valley, who took over the reins and haven’t let go since. Every year, this service club made up of young volunteers work to make each Carson Valley Days a success, on top of their other notable philanthropic efforts (learn more about this organization by going to their website). Carson Valley Day officially became Carson Valley Days in 1954 when the event added a second day of activities, expanding to four days in later years. A parade that ran from Gardnerville to Minden was eventually introduced as a key feature of the festival, as well as food, music, games, and a carnival. In 1993, the parade route was reversed, as the event had grown so much that the main event needed to move from Minden Park to Lampe Park in Gardnerville in order to make room for it all. And there it stayed, ever since, though depending on the schedule, participating in the four-day festival might find you at any number of locations in Carson Valley hosting their own Carson Valley Days-related activity on the same week in June.
In recent years, the iconic carnival celebration in Lampe Park and the parade along Highway 395 became punctuated with events like the Carson Valley Days Golf Tournament, organized by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, the CV Days Classic, a 5k Fun Run hosted by Main Street Gardnerville, and a judged Carson Valley Days Art Show at the CVIC Hall in Minden led by the Carson Valley Artists Association.
As much as everything that’s been added over the years has helped make this community event truly unique and worth experiencing with the whole family, there’s still room for Carson Valley Days to grow. And with a special dedicated theme each year, who’s to say what the event will look like in 5, 10, or even a hundred more years? All we know is we’ll want to make the most of every minute of it.
It’s easier than ever to plan your Carson Valley adventure around fantastic events like Carson Valley Days! Ask Carson Valley for ideas to build your own Carson Valley Days itinerary! For a list of local lodging properties, click here.
The Carson Valley 20-30 Club will often post details about Carson Valley Days, including a full schedule of activities and the year’s theme, to their website a couple months in advance, so be sure to visit their website for updates!