Carson Valley Days start today

The 99th annual Carson Valley Days celebration, with a carnival, parade, balloon rides, fun run and more, starts today.

Founded by H.F. Dangberg in 1910 to show off Carson Valley to visitors arriving by train, Carson Valley Days is Douglas County's oldest and biggest party.

The defining event is the annual parade from Minden Park to Lampe Park on Saturday. Highway 395 from Buckeye Road to Waterloo Lane is closed 8 a.m. to noon for the parade. Before the parade, there's a run and a balloon launch.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley is selling the 2009 edition of the Carson Valley Days button for $1. The tradition of wearing Carson Valley Days buttons saves the wearer from being thrown in "jail" at the Carson Valley Days parade. Buttons are $2 at the parade.

Proceeds benefit community service projects and are available at numerous locations throughout the Carson Valley.

Pre-sale carnival tickets are available at Raley's and Nevada State Bank for $17. The carnival opens today with free rides for special needs children. Anyone interested in participating should call Brian Deaton at 220-8046. Thursday is two-for-one night.

Tickets at the carnival will be $22 for unlimited rides.

Other events:

• The Douglas County Builders Industry Association and the Partnership for Community Resources is auctioning off a playhouse. Tickets are on sale Friday and Saturday. For information contact Carole Thompson at 783-1782.

• Carson Valley Community Food Closet is selling ducks decked out in motorcycle outfits for the annual Duck Race at Lampe Park Sunday. Ducks are $5 each or a "6-Quack" for $25. Prizes are still being donated by local businesses. Volunteers will be selling ducks at the Minden Street Fair Saturday and Sunday.

• The Partnership of Community Resources is hosting a pasta feed 5-7 p.m. Friday at Douglas High School. Dinner includes a variety of pastas and sauces, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and younger, and free admission for kids 3 and younger.

• The Partnership is hosting its second annual 10k, 5k Walk, Jog, Run event. On-site registration for the event begins at 6 a.m. The 10k run starts at 8 a.m. from the corner of Orchard Road and Bently Parkway, and the 5k run starts at Minden Elementary School at 8:15 a.m. The two parties will eventually merge and take the lead of the parade coming from Minden Park. For information, call 782-8611.

• Minden Ranch Rodeo is 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Proceeds benefit Kiwanis sponsored youth organizations.

• The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Carson Valley Active 20/30 Club will co-sponsor the first Carson Valley Days Golf Tournament Friday at the Carson Valley Golf Course. Space is still available. The cost for individual players is $85 and $340 for a foursome. Hole sponsorships are available for $100, or a package including a foursome and a hole sponsorship is $400. To register to play, find out about all of the sponsorship opportunities or provide a raffle prize, contact the chamber at

782-8144 or info@carsonval

leynv.org.