Genoa holds annual Candy Dance

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1997 | 3:54 a.m.

Volunteers have been working in the town kitchen since mid-August, making and hand-packing 4,000 pounds of fudge, brittle, divinity, mints and caramels to be sold during Genoa's main fund-raising event.

"It's our big weekend of the year, and we count on a lot of people coming to town," said publicity chairwoman Barbara Florman. Up to 60,000 people could visit Nevada's oldest settlement for the 77th Candy Dance.

In addition to the candy sales, more than 300 vendors will offer a variety of food and crafts. Antique dealers also have been invited this year.

Other events include an outdoor barbecue, along with the traditional dance in the town hall and an old-fashioned melodrama.

To make things a bit easier this year, candy-making chief Bev Smith says candy sellers on golf carts will filter through the crowds.

"This way, not so many people will have to stand in line," Smith said. "Also, some people in the past said they had trouble finding us because the crowds were so thick."

But the end result has always been the same: The handmade candy is sold out.

Organizers hope the event - started in 1919 to raise money for some street lights - will match the $100,000 that last year's Candy Dance netted.

The revenue from the big weekend will cover most of the town's fiscal-year budget. The rest of the money comes from fund-raisers, rentals of the town hall and a church for weddings, receptions and other events, and a small amount of taxes.

Candy Dance profits are used for all sorts of civic improvements and maintenance in this town of about 450 people. In recent years, a room was added to the town church and buildings were painted. Proceeds also are used to cover costs of road work, snow removal and insurance.