Genoa, Nevada a small town on the southeast side of Lake Tahoe is using candy sales as a creative source of revenue. The town's 88th annual Candy Dance Faire will be held on September 27th and 28th.
The Genoa "Candy Dance" originated in 1919 as an effort to raise money to purchase street lights. The Genoa community 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. This annual event became the "Big Event of the Season."
To this day the town continues the fundraising tradition by making candy and selling it. Annually, the town puts on the two day fesitval complete with music, arts, crafts, and of course, candy. On Saturday is a dinner/dance, for which a limited number of tickets are sold.
Every year, volunteer candy makers donate hundreds of hours to make 4000 pounds of Genoa’s famous homemade candy. The Candy Dance planning committee begins working early in the year to coordinate the many details that ensure a successful event. As the Candy Dance weekend approaches, many volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the event – candy making, candy packing, candy selling, kitchen help, Genoa booth volunteers, parking attendants, trash collecting and more.
The funds raised during the Genoa Candy Dance provide a substantial portion of the Town of Genoa’s annual budget. For more information or to volunteer, contact Marian Vassar, (775) 782-4584. Or you can contact the Genoa Town Office, (775) 782-8696.
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