Summer Nights, 2009
Nevada City’s Annual Celebration is July 15, 22 & 29

Summer Nights in Nevada City is an outdoor festival of art and music in one of the Northern Sierra’s most colorful and picturesque small towns.

Summer Nights 2009 will be held on Wednesday evenings, July 15, 22 and 29, on the historic streets of downtown Nevada City. Hours are 6-9 p.m.

Located just 60 miles from Sacramento (80 miles from Reno), Nevada City is an arts center and convenient country getaway, with wide choices in lodging, dining and outdoor recreation.

During Summer Nights, Nevada City’s landmark downtown historic district is closed to motorized traffic and filled with music, arts, crafts, classic cars, growers market, a green living expo, food, drink and more.

Downtown specialty shops and restaurants are open for Summer Nights, with many offering special treats and surprises. Leading Sierra foothills musicians perform on five outdoor stages throughout the downtown area. There is no admission charge.

Special attractions this year are the Growers’ Market on Lower Broad Street, the Green Expo on North Pine Street and pony rides and appearances by Penny The Clown for the youngsters.

Theme for the celebration is “Cool Music & Classic Cars.”

As one of Nevada City’s most popular gatherings, Summer Nights draws good crowds, so a shuttle service to the historic district is being made available. A $5 parking and shuttle service (children 12 and under are free) connects the expansive parking lots at the Nevada County Government Center on Highway 49 to the downtown historic district. Shuttle hours are 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

Nevada City is located at the 2,500-foot elevation on the forested western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Summer days and evenings are cooler than in the Sacramento Valley.

From Sacramento, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn and Highway 49 north to Nevada City. It’s a one-hour drive from the capital. From Marysville and the north valley, take eastbound Highway 20. From Reno and Lake Tahoe, take westbound I-80 and state route 20.

The 19th Annual Summer Nights celebration is sponsored by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. For information, call (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY.