A patriotic train of thought in Carson City this weekend

Carson City is a patriotic town, so of course this weekend, the community will celebrate Independence Day. The RSVP Fireworks Show and Carnival and the Nevada State Railroad Museum Parade of Trains are among the main highlights:

CARNIVAL, FIREWORKS

RSVP is gearing up to host the 25th annual Fourth of July celebration and carnival in Mills Park. The event will offer live music, food, craft vendors, and carnival rides and games for all ages.

This year’s event begins July 1 and runs through July 4. All-day carnival wristbands are $30 at the park. Coupons offering a $5 discount are available at the RSVP beer booth.

The carnival will open from 5 to 10 p.m. July 1. Simulcast Radio Lazer 107.7 FM will be on hand from 5 to 10 p.m.

On July 2 and 3, festivities will take place from noon to 10 with music by a DJ from 4 to 8 p.m.

The carnival runs from noon to 10 p.m. July 4. Live music by the Heidi Incident will be from 4 to 8. Wild 102.9 will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m.

Also, the Wheelhouse Skate Expo — including giveaways and a skate jam — will take place throughout the weekend.

The fireworks will take place at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. For those attending at the park, a stage and sound system will offer synchronized patriotic musical accompaniment.

RSVP will partner with Cumulus Radio to carry the sound track over Wild 102.9 so anyone with a radio signal can experience the same effect.

Proceeds from the carnival help further RSVP’s mission of providing services to the area’s low-income and homebound seniors.

Main event sponsor is Carson City Toyota. Additional sponsors include Carson City Redevelopment, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Capital Ford, Gold Dust West, Café at Adele’s, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, NV Energy and Alpine Insurance.

For information about the event or becoming a vendor or sponsor, or to find out about RSVP services for seniors, go to http://nevadaruralrsvp.org/, or contact RSVP Fair Manager Anita Moreno at 775-687-4680, ext. 7, or amoreno@nvrsvp.com.

PARADE OF TRAINS

This weekend, the Nevada State Railroad Museum will be showcasing an all-star lineup of its rolling stock – and giving visitors discounted rates for unlimited train rides.

The museum, which is generally closed on Tuesdays, will be in full operation on Tuesday, July 4. Festivities actually begin on Saturday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

“We’ll have the Parade of Trains every morning,” Museum Director Dan Thielen said.

The Parade of Trains includes the pride of the museum’s collection – its two 1875 wood-burning steam locomotives, the Inyo and the Glenbrook; and the McKeen Motor Car. The No. 25 locomotive will be pulling passengers every day.

Visitors to the museum during the holiday weekend have the opportunity to purchase an all-inclusive wristband each day. It includes admission to the museum and unlimited train rides for the day of purchase. The price is $15 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 17 and free to children 3 and younger. Museum members can purchase a wristband for $10 each day.

The McKeen Motor Car and No. 25 will be alternating runs every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing visitors to ride both trains. Both the Inyo and the Glenbrook will be making demonstration runs each day, but don’t take passengers.

Please note: the wristband is good for one day and a separate wristband must be purchased each day of the event. Normal museum admission prices and train fares are available, as well.

Contact the museum at 775-687-6953 x224 for information.

Guy Clifton of Travel Nevada contributed to this story.