by Cynthia Wall

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

"Rendezvous" a planned meeting between two or more parties. Historic Carson City was often the rendezvous point for Mountain Men and fur buyers; for gold and silver prospectors and precious metal buyers; for state legislators and townsfolk today, the annual Carson City Rendezvous is a celebration of the past meeting the present. This year's Rendezvous, the 26th, will be held June 12th June 14th in Mills Park on Highway 50 East between Roop St. and Saliman Rd.

A grant from the Nevada Arts Council to support the traditional and folkloric singing, dancing, and music of early Nevada will partly fund the 2009 Carson City Rendezvous. If you are curious about Nevada history or just want a good time for you and your family, this is an A plus entertaining weekend and the best news is that it's free.

Here are some of the scheduled highlights. The MOUNTAIN MEN encampment will demonstrate tomahawk and knife throwing, fire starting, and loadin' and shootin' muzzleloaders. There will be great entertainment on both the Mountain Men Stage and the Gunfighter Stage everything from dueling banjos to not quite true historical gunfights. The Nevada Gunfighters of Carson City will host an invitational with bullets blazing against Western teams all weekend long.

Some of the entered teams include: Legends of the American West from Angels Camp, CA; Spirits of the Old West from Stockton, CA; Black Bart Gunfighters from Willits, CA, Pistols and Petticoats from the Inland Empire, CA, and Pahrump Gunfighters from Pahrump, NV. Take a ride on the STAGECOACH in the big field. Young children can enjoy the Stick Horse Rodeo games with Gary, the stage driver. Comstock Civil War Reenactments will also take place in the big field. Did you know that Nevada was rushed to statehood in 1864 so it could be listed as pro-union (which it was).

Cooks in the family may want to enter the DUTCH OVEN COOK OFF which will be judged by two celebrity judges Diane Mayfield and Omar Alvarez. The Dutch oven was the universal cooking implement in mining days. Pioneers cooked everything from venison roast to biscuits in the sturdy black iron pots. Take on the competition with your own original recipes. And if you don't like Ma's cooking, rest assured that local restaurants offer Rendezvous menus that are guaranteed to please.

Ladies, gunfighter ladies that is, will also show their talents in the Victorian Fashion Show. The Indian Village has colorful dancing. Kids will be entertained by Camel rides, the petting zoo, a real life pueblo, and old-fashioned games from the BAC-In Time Kids. A highlight the day after the Rendezvous is the arrival of the PONY EXPRESS which carried the nation's mail from 1860-1861 until the telegraph office was opened in San Francisco. Be sure to stick around and watch them gallop into town.

There are numerous other fun family events which coincide with the Rendezvous. THE ART OF NATURE show by Sharon K. Schafer will be on exhibit in the Nevada State Museum Jun1-30. For adults, there is the DOWNTOWN WINE WALK June 6th and THE DOWNTOWN BEER CRAWL on June 20th. THE KARSON KRUZER'S RUN WHAT CHA BRUNG CAR SHOW in Fuji Park June 26-28 is a fun end to the month.

So saddle up the horses or the horsepower, set your sights on Carson City, and prepare to be greeted by grizzled mountain men, shot at by gunfighters, have your guts sizzled by campfire chili, dance your feet off to old time violins, and most of all make memories for a lifetime. The Carson City Rendezvous is the easiest way to learn history while being entertained that I've ever come across. Put it on your calendar. I have.

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