Shannon LItz/Nevada AppealEight-year-old Ivan Iza peeks over the side of the Buzzin' Bee ride while riding with his brother, Ari, 5, at the RSVP Carnival.
Families looking for something fun to do with their moms today can head to Mills Park for the 26th annual RSVP Spring Fun Fair. The fair runs from noon to 11 p.m.
All moms can ride all the carnival rides all day for free with a ticketed child as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program's annual salute and thank you to the moms of Northern Nevada.
The weather was breezy Saturday, but warm and pleasant for attendees, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Susan Haas of Carson City, holding the hands of two of her grandchildren - Daisy, 3, and Michah, also 3, said they were having a great time.
"We all came out because we wanted to support RSVP for all the wonderful work they do in our community," Haas said.
"Besides, this is fun for the kids and gives us a chance to be outdoors on this beautiful day," she said.
Proceeds from the fair go toward RSVP's Home Companion, Respite Care and Lifeline programs, which help the area's low-income and homebound seniors to remain independent.
RSVP's Director of Development Mike Hughes said the three fairs the organization puts on - Mother's Day, Fourth of July and Nevada Day celebrations - bring in between 10-15 percent of RSVP's budget, so a good turnout is always appreciated.
Twelve-year-old Carson Middle School students Haley Fooreh and Ashley Alexander were there for adventure Saturday.
"We came to ride the Super Loops and the Zipper," Haley said.
"And I almost threw up," Ashley said.
Both girls said they were trying to win their mom a prize for Mother's Day, but that they also were planning to get their moms some flowers.
In addition to the wild rides for adults and teens, there were plenty of rides for youngsters - like cars, fish, bumble bees, planes and ducks.
Carson City's Mark Wyatt and his 3-year-old grandson T.J. were found sitting on a bench eating chocolate ice cream cones.
"I'm just out with my grandson, and I think we've hit all the rides they'll let us go on with the height requirements," he said.
For Mother's Day, Wyatt said he planned to do something special for his mom.
"She loves to go to Lake Tahoe, so we'll probably take a drive up there," he said.
Even 20-year-old Deseray Thompson of Carson City was enjoying the day - but she was working. Inside an oversized ice cream cone booth for Rocky Mountain Creamery, she kept kids and adults happy by scooping ice cream.
"I worked here last year, and they remembered me, so I was able to get this again for four days," she said. "It has been much busier today than yesterday."
Thompson said her mother is watching her kids while she works, so she has to come up with something to pay her back on Mother's Day.
The carnival includes 30 rides, games and attractions and food vendors.
And for those who haven't yet purchased Mom a gift, a variety of vendors will be showing handcrafted jewelry, sterling silver jewelry and cabochons, figurines, purses and clothing, plus 3D crystals, moving waterfall pictures, just to name a few.
