“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.”– Jenny Han
Summer greeting, Main Street Gardnerville!
There is no doubt we are in the dog days of summer, here in the valley. Hot days, warm nights, there’s something about midsummer on Main Street that reminds me why we love this valley so much: neighbors gathering, flowers blooming, and laughter and music drifting through the warm evening air. July invites us to slow down just enough to notice it all, but let’s be honest, Main Street doesn’t stay still for long. Races have been run, wine has been poured, and we’re getting ready to cut a ribbon on something truly special. There’s so much happening in the heart of town, and we’d love for you to be part of every moment.
A long-awaited celebration and reveal are on the horizon. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 30th at 5:00 PM, where we will be cutting the ribbon at Heritage Park Gardens! Construction of the growing space has been completed, and we are getting a special delivery from Jim and Michelle Moffit of Twisted Steel next week to put the finishing touches on our memorial rose garden. This will be more than just a ceremonial moment; it’s a celebration of what happens when a community dreams big and digs in to create such a special place for the community to learn and grow together.
We would love for you to join us as we celebrate this space and the progress we have made in just a few short months. Bring your friends, your family, and your garden-loving hearts to see firsthand how a few thousand square feet can hold so much love, sweat, laughter, and pride. This has been a monumental project for the community made possible through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Nevada Main Street grant funding, and the astounding generosity of our community.
This space has already taught us so much about what it means to plant seeds, not just in the soil, but in each other. Seeds of connection, kindness, and hope. Let’s gather to honor the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who made this possible and take a moment to imagine all the growing and gathering still to come. I can’t wait to see all of this hard work and dedication bloom.
If the Heritage Park Garden Project hasn’t already been keeping us running, the 4th of July Freedom 5K, Run for the Wreath fun Run/walk certainly did, quite literally. I can’t think of a better way to kick off Independence Day festivities than at the most patriotic run on this side of the valley. The morning was bursting with patriotic spirit, community cheer, and red, white, and blue as far as the eye could see. From first-time runners to seasoned pros, you all brought the energy.
I absolutely love hearing the stories you share about why you’re running. For some, it was a goal to pursue a healthier lifestyle, and these were their first races. For others, these runs unlocked an unknown passion for running that led them to dream big and pursue longer distances, ultimately completing their first half-marathons.
The most impressive story was from our first-place runner, Imanol Pereda, a seventeen-year-old with a finishing time of 16:56:81. Imanol is a student from McQueen High School who came down to participate in the run as a shakeout for an upcoming Junior championship competition. Way to go, Imanol! Equally as impressive were the second and third place runners, Ramona Sanchez with a time of 18:23:4 and Lauren Evans with a time of 19:57:36, respectively.
We are thrilled that this run series has been embraced by the community. To every runner, walker, volunteer, and sponsor, thank you for making this event such a success. From the costumes to the cheers from neighbors and supporters lining the streets and the grins of finishers crossing the line full of endorphins and pride, those are the moments that make this event so worthwhile.
We are now two races into the “We Run This Town” 5K series. We have one more run in the series to go: the Paint it Pink 5k Fun Run/Walk on October 18th, before those finisher tees start flying! You don’t want to miss out, especially if you have completed the first two races. Complete the third, and the limited edition “I Run This Town” tee shirt is yours. For registration information, click HERE!
From running to walking, last night’s Third Thursday Wine Walk, Rosé in the USA, was everything we love about summer in Gardnerville: good friends, great wine, and a downtown full of life. There’s something so special about watching Main Street fill with laughter, music, food, and the sight of people wandering from shop to shop, stopping to chat with our amazing merchants, exchanging hugs, and supporting our local businesses.
This event would not be a success if it weren’t for our fantastic business community, who stay open late, welcome the crowds, and create such a warm, inviting atmosphere. Your hospitality doesn’t go unnoticed. Every pour, smile, and conversation shared helps build the vibrant energy that keeps this event and our downtown thriving. You are truly the heart of our downtown, and our hometown would not be the same without you. THANK YOU.
If you have FOMO, don’t worry, we have another Third Thursday Wine Walk in store for you on August 21st at the Boots, Bling, and Chardonnay Things – Rodeo Theme Wine Walk. Get ready for our friends at the Douglas County Rodeo’s big event on September 5th & 6th with a strut through town in your best western duds. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it.
I can’t believe we are already talking about the “ber” months! You know us; it’s always Halloween in our souls, and with Independence Day behind us, we’re in full Summerween season. That means planning is underway for our Annual Coffin Races and Fall Festival on Saturday, October 5th!
If you’ve never seen a coffin race down Slaughterhouse Lane, trust me, you are missing out. Now is the time to get that coffin built, start dreaming up your costumes, gather your team, and prepare for the most fun you will have in 30 seconds. We are already three-quarters full for vendors. If you haven’t already registered your booth space, you should do it now, as spots are sure to sell out by the time the first leaf of fall drops. For vendor and coffin team registration and information, check out the link below.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself. As much as I love fall, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this time of year, the time when we have so many opportunities to gather and make some Main Street memories together. Whether you have joined us for a fundraising event, helped out at the gardens, or simply shared a smile with someone downtown, thank you. You are what makes Main Street Gardnerville the heart of this community.
This town thrives because of the people who care, those who keep showing up, who celebrate the good, support each other through the hard, and keep looking forward. We see you. We’re grateful to you. And we can’t wait to continue growing and memory-making with you all season long.
Here’s to soaking up the rest of summer one sunrise and one sunset at a time. In the meantime, remember to support your neighbors, check in on an old friend, share a smile with a stranger, tip generously, and treat each other with kindness.
See you soon on Main Street. 🫶
Jen Tune, Executive Director
Main Street Gardnerville
