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by Heidi Stroebe
photo courtesy of town of Genoa
In the beginning, it was all about lights. In 1919, the small town of Genoa needed to raise money for streetlights. Lillian Virgin Finnegan, the daughter of a prominent town judge, proposed a fundraising dance. Lillian thought she could improve attendance and raise more money by handing out candy and serving a midnight dinner. So with the help of her aunt and the women of Genoa, Lillian made the candy to give away at the dance. That homemade candy, along with the midnight supper, made the first ever Genoa Candy Dance at the Raycraft Hotel a very successful evening.
And then the electric bills came. The city fathers called on the candy makers once again, and the “Candy Dance” became an annual event, raising enough money each year to keep the streetlights lit. The event continued to grow and the Candy Dance became the big social function of the season, drawing couples from Reno, Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville.
In the 1970s the town added the Arts and Craft’s Faire, which has become a two-day event spread all over town. But it’s the Saturday dinner and dance that still attracts couples, and you’ll see people of all ages dancing to everything from rock ‘n roll to swing.
While a lot has changed about the Candy Dance over the years, there’s one thing that’s always stayed the same – it continues to help fund the town coffers, contributing a significant portion of Genoa’s budget. So in a way, the Candy Dance still keeps the lights on.
For more information, contact the Genoa Town Office at 775-782-8696.
Historical information courtesy of Billie J. Rightmore, Town Historian, author, and fourth generation Genoa resident. |
