This one’s dedicated to those men and women who died serving in the armed forces.
Happy Memorial Day! Summer’s unofficial kickoff is here, and Northern Nevada couldn’t be more ready. The sun is shining bright and warm during the day, then paints the sky an incredible splash of colors as it sets. This three-day weekend is all about spending time with your friends and family under the warm skies. The city is beckoning you to get out of the house, so make this Memorial Day weekend one to remember!
Now I’ve got your night events covered for the weekend, but the daytime is all yours to enjoy Carson City’s late spring weather outdoors. Spend Saturday morning with a coffee in Comma Coffee’s neighboring courtyard. Take the afternoon to hike Clear Creek Trail south of town to get a gorgeous view of Carson Valley.
On Sunday, I suggest sticking to one of Memorial Day’s great traditions—with a Carson City twist, of course. Whether you’re camping up at Lake Tahoe, setting up a picnic at a local park or inviting your friends over to your home, fire up the grill and get that barbecue started. The one thing you need to really make an impression on your guests is the key ingredient: BBQ sauce from Carson City BBQ. The award-winning caterer makes a truly flavorful sauce that’ll put your ribs, steak or chicken over the top—I can never get enough of it. Pick some up at any of the local grocery stores.
Along with the traditional barbecue, my family would always join with some family friends in their annual Bloody Mary contest every Memorial Day. Underage me would sit and watch everyone put so much thought into crafting the perfect version of the morning cocktail, down to elaborate vegetable garnishes and the right amount of zesty spice. Feel free to take the idea and make it your own this weekend! Gather those friends who love to drink and have others judge. By the way—guess who also makes a killer hot sauce?
After a day soaking up the sun, you’ll want nothing more than to relax and enjoy yourself with some of this weekend’s great night-on-the-town events. Friday night has longtime comedian Dan St. Paul headlining the stage at Carson Comedy Club. Grab a table in the lounge and laugh your face off at some clean, sharp stand-up. Tickets are $15.
Or, spend the evening outside as the sun sets and the air cools off a few miles south of Carson City in Minden. Historic Minden Park is host to Garratt Wilkin & the Parrotheads from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, and I honestly can’t think of a better way to bring those summer vibes than with the sounds of “Margaritaville” or “Come Monday” played live in a park. Kick back and relax as the Hawaiian shirt-donned musicians do their thing.
And just in case you didn’t get enough comedy Friday night, Saturday evening brings a motherload of talent to the Brewery Arts Center’s black box theater. It’s an all-female lineup of 10 stand-up comediennes. It might be a couple weeks late for Mother’s Day, but each performer tells her own unique and hilarious story about motherhood—whether it’s about being a mom or about her own mom. Tickets are only $5 and the event starts at 8 p.m. It sounds like an absolute blast full of great stories; there’s no way you’ll regret this one.
No work on Monday? That means going out Sunday night and ending the weekend with a bang. The Carson Nugget is bringing Volt, a tribute to AC/DC, to the stage at 8 p.m. These guys have perfected the classic 80’s AC/DC sound to bring you a high-energy performance of “Back in Black,” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and more. It’s loud, it’s fun and it’ll cap off a truly remarkable weekend with dancing and probably some air guitar as you sing along to the hits.
Believe me, by the time Monday rolls around, you’ll be able to lay back with your feet up knowing you conquered Carson City’s Memorial Day activities. Raise your flag and spend some time with your loved ones as you enjoy one of the sunniest and most beautiful days of the year so far. Maybe even make yourself a contest-winning Bloody Mary—you’ve earned it.
Happy Memorial Day, and for those events I wasn’t able to cram into this weekend list, check out our Daytime, Nightlife and Community pages.
About the Author Bryan Akerley
Bryan was born and raised in Northern Nevada and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. When he’s not writing, he’s keeping up with pop culture as a lover of movies, TV, music and books or out exploring the area through its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Then he’ll unwind by playing the drums or piano or spending time with his corgi, Teddy. 
