Gardnerville could seek charter for 125 birthday

A cooperative effort to honor the 125th birthday of Gardnerville is taking on a life of its own. The goal is to bring more tourism dollars to Carson Valley.

The town is working with the Gardnerville Business Association and residents to plan its birthday for 2004. A public meeting of the event advisory committee is Feb. 26.

The end result of a year of planning could be a bevy of community activities spread out over a few weekends. It could even result in the town finally getting its charter.

While the town has existed since around 1879, it has never been formally recognized through a charter. The Douglas County Commission adopted a constitution for the town in the mid-1950s. Town manager Jim Park said a formal ceremony with perhaps Gov. Kenny Guinn presenting a charter to the town could be part of the 125th celebration.

Park is on the advisory committee along with town board member Randy Slater; Gardnerville Business Association President Anet Sewell and member Jeannie Johnson; and residents Joe Delorey and Evelyn Gregory.

"We are working together to make Gardnerville a better place, and the GBA is really stepping up to the plate," he said. "It gives me goose bumps."

Park said the committee is looking at hosting several events with themes for individual weekends, such as a historic weekend with re-enactments of town events; a car show and poker run; a cultural weekend celebrating American Indian, German, Basque and other ethnicities; and a community social and barbecue.

In association with the birthday plans, Gardnerville is taking care of some housekeeping. Park said proposed signs to greet people at each end of town will be presented to the board March 6.

Park said the town's request to have the old town jail at the courthouse behind the French Hotel listed on the state's Historical Register will be heard March 9. The jail was built after a Genoa fire in the 1900s.

Park said establishing a historic walking tour, with actors relaying information about buildings along Highway 395, could also coincide with the birthday celebration.

"We want to be able to work cooperatively with property owners," he said. He added that the town may host a preservation workshop to clear up misconceptions about criteria for getting private property listed on the historical register.

"There are some advantages," he said.

The committee is working with the Carson Valley Historical Society on that project.

The business association is planning several activities, including concerts at Heritage Park, the annual hoedown in August and an Italian festival in October.

"We want to get more destination events, daylong activities families can come and stay overnight for," Sewell said.

IF YOU GO

What: Planning for Gardnerville's 125th birthday

When: 9 a.m. Feb. 26

Where: Town Hall, 1407 Highway 395