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Visit Virginia City
Founded in 1859 after the discovery of the legendary Comstock Lode, Virginia City quickly rose to prominence as one of the richest mining boomtowns in the United States. At its peak, the town was home to tens of thousands of fortune seekers, entrepreneurs and visionaries drawn by one of the nation’s first major silver strikes. Today, that legacy remains visible in the town’s remarkably preserved architecture and enduring frontier spirit.
Virginia City provides amazing opportunities for families, staycations and more. Additionally, unique events throughout town allow visitors to celebrate mom with an array of exciting events heading into Mother’s Day weekend.
Dive into history: Bonanza Days kicks-off in Virginia City on May 9-10 and will include Bonanza episode screenings, gunfights, re-enactments, ice cream eating contests and so much more.
Celebrate moms: From tea parties to mimosas and arts and crafts, moms are celebrated throughout Virginia City all weekend long.
Explore C Street: Home to saloons and restaurants, museums exploring the history of the Comstock and unique shops with antiques, old-time photos and custom jewelry, C Street provides a family-friendly experience.
For events all year long, visit www.visitvirginiacitynv.com. (Sponsored Content)
Season finale
Truckee Meadows Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Department wraps up its spring season with several concerts taking place this week. Its dance concert, Passage, features new works created by TMCC faculty and guest choreographers that explore journeys of adventure, discovery and transformation through movement. Performances start at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, May 7-9; and 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at the TMCC Performance Lab in the Red Mountain Building, 7000 Dandini Blvd. Tickets are $5-$18. An ensemble of student musicians will perform classic and contemporary works during TMCC’s Spring Concert Winds Performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at North Valleys High School, 1470 E. Golden Valley Road. TMCC’s choral concert, Echoes of Our Experience: A Journey Through American Folk, celebrates the heart of soul of the American spirit and explores the diverse cultural heritage that defines our national identity. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at First Congregational Church, 627 Sunnyside Drive. The winds and choral concerts are free. Visit www.tmcc.edu/visual-performing-arts/performance-schedule.
Maternally yours
Looking for something to do this Mother’s Day weekend? Here are a few options to consider if you want to spend some time with your mom or a special person in your life who’s like a mom.
Invite her to the Generator’s Mommy Market, where you can both search for the perfect gift from an assortment of 50-plus artists and creators. The market is open from 6 to 10 p.m., Thursday, May 7, at The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd., Sparks. Visit www.therenogenerator.com.
Spend a morning creating art, listening to live music, participating in free yoga classes or shopping at a variety of food trucks and vendor booths at Riverside Farmers Market’s Mother’s Day Boutique. The event is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, May 10, at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive. See www.renofarmersmarket.com/mothersday for more details.
Treat her to a Mother’s Day concert by the Reno Jazz Orchestra, who will present “An Afternoon of Romance—The Al Jarreau Project,” featuring singer Nicolas Bearde. The show begins at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 10, at the Nightingale Concert Hall inside the Church Fine Arts Building, 1335 N. Virginia St., at the University of Nevada, Reno. Tickets start at $30. Go to www.renojazzorchestra.org.
Mama go for a ride
If your mom is the more adventurous type, a trip to Carson City may be in order. Hop aboard a V&T steam train and enjoy a 24-mile round-trip journey from Carson City to Virginia City. The train departs at 10 a.m. and arrives in Virginia City at 11:30 a.m. Guests will have free time to explore the shops, stop for a bite to eat and take in the sights of the historic boom town. Return service departs Virginia City at 3 p.m., arriving back in Carson City by 4:15 p.m. The Mother’s Day train rides happen on Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10, departing from the Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Road, Carson City. General coach tickets are $75 for adults and $45 for children ages 2-15. Babies under 24 months may ride free if seated on a parent’s lap. Go to vtrailway.com for more information.
If your mummy loves chills and thrills, head to Dark Prison Haunted House’s second annual Halfway to Halloween event. The haunted attraction kicks off Nevada State Prison Preservation Society’s 2026 tour season and will feature three full-scale haunted houses, Friday through Sunday, May 8-10, inside the Nevada State Prison, 3301 Warm Springs Court, Carson City. Tickets are $34.95-$64.95. Check www.darkprison.com for times and tickets.
Baby boom
Check out the baby animals and their doting mamas at Andelin Farm’s Baby Animal Days, taking place this month. Visitors can observe and interact with farm animals such as lambs, goats, chicks and piglets, and participate in a variety of barnyard activities and attractions, including a hay ride, train ride, straw bale maze and Western town playhouses. The farm offers a Mother’s Day and Superheroes theme with craft sessions, superhero character appearances and a free gift for moms (while supplies last) on Saturday, May 9. The farm is open from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday through May 14. Baby Animal Days will continue on Friday and Saturday only from May 15 -30. Andelin Family Farm is located at 8100 Pyramid Way, Sparks. General admission tickets are $15.56-$19.56 with additional fees for some activities. Admission is free for children age 2 and younger. Visit andelinfamilyfarm.com/spring-events for more details.
Botany plants lately?
If you have a bad case of spring fever, the doctor recommends some fresh air and a little plant therapy. One way to achieve these goals is to head to the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden to check out the May Arboretum Society’s Spring Plant Sale. The nonprofit’s annual event offers thousands of perennials, shrubs, vines, succulents and other plants that are suitable for our high desert climate. The first day of the sale is open to MAS members from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 8. The public sale is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at the Burke and Plaza gardens inside the Wilbur D. May Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Go to mayarboretumsociety.org for more information.
Nature calls
Learn more about our native plants, local birds and open spaces at several events happening this week. Emma Wynn, president of the Nevada Native Plant Society, will talk about Nevada’s wild plant species and how the nonprofit organization works to protect them, starting at noon on Friday, May 8, at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. General admission tickets are $15. Entry is free for students and NMA members. Visit www.nevadaart.org to register.
Soak in the sights and sounds of nature while exploring Idlewild Park’s trails during the “Bird is the Word Poetry Walk” with Reno Poet Laureate Elisa Garcia and a park ranger from the city of Reno Parks and Recreation Department. Bring a writing journal, water, hat, close-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. The walk starts at 6 p.m., Friday, May 8, at the Idlewild Park Sensory Garden along Cowan Drive. Check this Facebook link for more details.
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space’s Ranger Walks series continues with a ranger-led hike along the nature trail at Davis Creek Regional Park. Hiking boots, a hat and water are recommended for this easy-level trek that promises impressive views of Slide Mountain, Washoe Valley and the Davis Creek Pond. The trail isn’t paved, so strollers and wheelchairs are not advised. The hike gets underway at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9, at Davis Creek Regional Park, 25 Davis Creek Circle, New Washoe City. Register at signup.com/go/miSVLsc.
Orchestral maneuvers
Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of orchestral music at Reno Phil’s Free Family Concert. The program, “The Orchestra Moves,” starts off with special activities related to the theme of the concert, followed by a musical performance that combines interactive moments, creative movement and plenty of surprises. The event begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9, on the outdoor plaza and in the lobbies of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. The show starts at 11 a.m. inside the theater. No advance ticket reservation is required. Return to the Pioneer Center later that evening for the Reno Phil Youth Orchestra Spring Showcase featuring the Youth Strings Ensemble, Youth Strings Symphonia, Youth Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony Orchestra, all playing a variety of favorites. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6.50-$17.50. Visit renophil.com for more info.
One for the books
Join the Washoe County Library System as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Downtown Reno Library. The library will present “60 Years of Stories,” an evening of history, film and community connection. The festivities begin with opening announcements, followed by a panel discussion and viewing of A Black Springs Homecoming: Finding History, a film directed by Tsanavi Spoonhunter and presented by Nevada Humanities. Attendees will get an opportunity to meet the new library director, Lisa McClure, as well as get a behind-the-scenes look at the hidden history of the building via a guided tour of its bomb shelter. Participants must be 18 or older and sign a waiver of liability prior to the tour. Doors open at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at the Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center St. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to register ahead of the event. Go to washoelibrary.org/celebration for more information.
11 Days a Week is written and compiled by Kelley Lang. Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@renonr.com for consideration. Email advertising@renonr.com for advertising info!
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