The GenoaCandy Dance has been going on for 89 years, and if you've never been to the Candy Dance, you're missing a totally unique and wonderful craft fair. The dates for this year's Annual Candy Dance Faire are Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Tradition
The Genoa Candy Dance began 89 years ago in 1919, when the tiny town of Genoa (Nevada's first town) badly needed streetlights. To raise the money, the town put on a "candy dance" for residents. Women of the town made delicious homemade candy to pass around at a town dance, as an incentive for more people to turn out. They raised enough money to buy the streetlights, but the dance continued every year to raise money to pay for the electricity for those lights.
The town still holds the Candy Dance in conjunction with the craft faire, this year's dance is held on the Saturday evening of the event, complete with live band. There are a limited number of tickets, and anyone can attend the Candy Dance. Oh, the ladies of Genoa still make homemade candy for the dance, and it's available during the craft faire, but you really need to come early because the candy sells out extremely fast!
The Arts and Crafts
The arts and crafts evolved in the 1970s, as a way to turn the dance into a weekend event. Since then, the crafts booths have spread out from MormonStationState Park, where they first set up, to line many of the streets of the town. There are so many vendors that only turn out for the Candy Dance Faire that it is one of the very best craft fairs in Northern Nevada. If you love arts and crafts that are good quality, then the Candy Dance should be on your list of must see craft fairs this year.
Location
Genoa is located about an hour south of Reno on Highway 395. Simply follow the highway south to the Genoa turn off in the CarsonValley, and then follow the road right into town.
Parking
Parking for the Candy Dance is very limited, so it's a good idea to get there early to find a space. There is parking in Genoa, at three designated lots, but there is a $5 parking fee in these lots. The lots are located at: Foothill Road south of Genoa, Genoa Lane east of Genoa, Jacks Valley Road north of Genoa, and there is a free shuttle that runs from these lots directly to the Faire. You can park for free at DouglasHigh School and the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. Shuttle service to and from the Genoa will be available at these locations for a small fee per person. The shuttle runs during faire hours on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sherril Steele-Carlin - I'm a freelance writer and researcher in Reno, Nevada, where I've lived for over 20 years. I love the history and lore of Nevada, and I ...
