Carson Valley’s brightest celebration of the holiday season will take to the streets during the 17th Annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 1st, beginning at 5 p.m. Residents and visitors will line Highway 395 between Gilman Avenue in Gardnerville and Minden Town Park to watch dozens of colorfully decorated floats.
The sounds of the parade may be as entertaining as the sights this year, with the ‘Silver Bells of the Sierra’ theme encouraging the sounds of ringing bells. From bells on horses’ bridles to youth choirs ringing out holiday songs, the ways the theme will come to life is only limited by the imaginations of the float builders.
The parade route is altered this year, with floats staging on Gilman Avenue east of Main Street and entering Highway 395 at Gilman to make their way to Minden Town Park. The new routing was put in place to shorten the time of the parade for youngsters who may not enjoy the cold and will have the additional benefit of allowing the major intersections at Hwy 395 and Waterloo and Waterloo and 756 to remain open.
In addition to serving as the start of the parade, The Town of Gardnerville will be playing holiday music in Heritage Park, heaters and fire pits will be provided in the park until the parade begins, and the Park will feature the Town of Gardnerville’s pavilion light display. Immediately following the parade, the Town of Minden will provide fire pits and live entertainment along Esmeralda Avenue.
The Grand Marshall for this year’s parade will be retiring Douglas District Court Judge Dave Gamble, who is leaving the bench after 25 years. Judge Gamble, who is the longest sitting Nevada District Court Judge, was first elected in 1986. In addition to his work on the bench, Judge Gamble and his wife Diane were the founders of City of Refuge, which provides pregnant girls and women with a place to live and he was instrumental in the creation of Aurora Pines, a juvenile facility for girls.
The event is produced by staff and volunteers from the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of the Towns of Gardnerville and Minden, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol, Douglas County Parks Department, Ahern Rentals, Accolades Trophies and the Record Courier.