If your idea of a good weekend involves wandering through a historic Nevada town, browsing hundreds of vendor booths, and eating your weight in candy, mark your calendar. The Genoa Candy Dance is happening September 26 and 27, and Better Man Beard will be there.

What Is the Genoa Candy Dance?

Despite the name, this isn't just about candy (though there's plenty of it). The Genoa Candy Dance is a two-day Arts & Crafts, activity, and food faire held in Genoa, Nevada, one of the oldest towns in the state. This year marks another edition of an event that's been running since 1919, and it draws thousands of visitors to the small town over the course of the weekend.

The faire features over 400 vendors spread through town, everything from handmade crafts to local food to, yes, the candy that gave the event its name. Gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, so you've got two full days to work your way through it.

For those who want the full experience, Saturday night brings the original Dinner & Dance, the same fundraiser tradition that started this whole thing back in 1919. Fair warning: it's sold out for 2026, so if you didn't grab a ticket already, the daytime faire is where you'll find us.

A Little History Worth Knowing

The Candy Dance started as a simple fundraiser. In 1919, the women of Genoa put together a dinner and dance to raise money for the town's first street lights. Once the lights went in, the fundraising kept going to cover the electricity bill, and in 1974 the town added the Arts & Crafts Faire that's grown into what you'll see today. More than a hundred years later, it's still community-run, still volunteer-powered, and still one of the best small-town events in the region.

Getting There and Parking Tips

Genoa is a small town, and the event brings a serious crowd, so a little planning goes a long way.

Public parking runs $10 at three lots: Genoa Lane, Foothill Road south of town, and the Genoa Cemetery lot on Jacks Valley Road to the north. The town itself closes to entrance traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days, so you'll want to park and shuttle in. Free shuttles run between the lots and the faire from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you're coming from Carson City, the Genoa Lane lot is your best bet since it's the largest, though expect some backup along the highway. Coming from Minden or Gardnerville, take Muller Lane to Foothill Road and head north, since left turns into Genoa Lane off Highway 395 aren't allowed.

A couple more things worth knowing before you go: bring cash, since ATM lines can get long, and leave the dogs at home. Between the crowds, the heat, and park restrictions during the event, it's not the outing for your pup this time around.

Find Better Man Beard While You're There

Justin will be out at the faire representing Better Man Beard, so if you're a bearded guy wandering the booths (or shopping for one), stop by and say hello. It's a great chance to check out the balms and oils in person, ask questions about what fits your beard type, and pick up whatever you're running low on without waiting on shipping.

Late September in Nevada still brings warm, dry days, which means beards take a beating from sun and dust over a full day at the faire. A little oil in the morning and a travel-size balm in your pocket will keep things comfortable while you're out there browsing booths all day.

See You in Genoa

Whether you're there for the candy, the crafts, the history, or just an excuse for a road trip to one of Nevada's oldest towns, the Genoa Candy Dance is worth the visit. Come find us, grab something for your beard, and enjoy everything else this event has to offer.