Genoa Candy Dance since 1919

Description

Lillian Virgin Finnegan, daughter of then-prominent Judge Daniel Webster Virgin, suggested the idea of a dance and making candy to pass around during the dance as an incentive for a good turn-out of couples. Genoa did raise the needed funds for streetlights, but realized the monthly electric bill had to be paid. The candy makers were then called upon each year to help promote the “Candy Dance” and pay a year’s worth of electricity for the streetlights throughout the town. The Candy Dance grew into the “Big Event of the Season” in Carson Valley, attracting couples from Reno, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville and surrounding areas to join in the evening’s fun, often by horse and wagon, as well as “those new-fangled automobiles.”An arts and crafts fair was added in 1974, later extending the event to a two-day weekend celebration and has stuck ever since. In addition to the distinctive shopping experience found at the vendor booths, tradition comes alive at The Candy Dance Dinner and Dance, still part of this historic Nevada event, held Saturday night of the event weekend, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.