Sparks on Fire
by Doresa Banning
Founded in 1904 as the home of the Southern Pacific Railroad in western Nevada, Sparks has long been considered a bedroom community of Reno. But with a growing population—about 88,350 as of 2006—Nevada's fifth largest city is quickly shedding that little-sister image, acquiring a personality of its own with plenty of options for shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation.
VICTORIAN SQUARE
An entertainment district located off Interstate 80 at Pyramid Way, Victorian Square is anchored by a pair of casinos—John Ascuaga's Nugget and Silver City—and a movie theater complex. This fl agship of Sparks's redevelopment boasts a mix of eclectic restaurants and shops where visitors can eat a great meal, listen to live music, browse the shops, play the slots, take in a movie and more.
"Downtown Victorian Square is a place for families to come and enjoy celebrating life," says Adam Mayberry, public information officer for the City of Sparks.
The Great Basin Brewing Company serves up hand-crafted beer, such as Nevada Gold and Rail City Raspberry, along with pub food like salmon tacos with fresh mango salsa, brewerystyle steak and prawn skewers. Live entertainment takes the form of comedy, blues, folk and jazz.
P.R. Picasso's offers continental cuisine with an emphasis on game. Dishes include wild boar tenderloin, elk chops, smoked wild game sausages, a fried alligator appetizer and more. Save room for the chocolate fudge torte with vanilla chip ice cream, drizzled with Godiva chocolate liqueur and topped with white chocolate sprinkles.
A longtime favorite is O'Skis Pub and Grille. This Irish-Polish pub boasts dishes like corned beef on rye, Queen Mum's fish and chips and Blarney cheeseburgers. It spotlights local blues, jazz, classic rock, hard rock and acoustic bands on most Friday and Saturday nights. Victorian Saloon and Paddy and Irene's Irish Pub are also located in Victorian Square.
For Mexican fare, there's Cantina Los Tres Hombres. Pietro's Famiglia Ristorante Italiano is an authentic Italian eatery.
Sandwiched between the restaurants, there's plenty of interesting shopping. Tizzy Lish, for example, sells collectibles and gifts, including soaps, candles, art, ceramics, figurines, Depression-era glass and vintage and new costumes. There's also a selection of fine jewelry including rings, pendants, bracelets, gemstones and drusy quartz (gems covered with several minute crystals). W. R. Adams and Son specializes in fi ne jewelry but also sells gifts, such as china and crystal, and winter holiday items including Old World glass ornaments, Byers' Choice carolers and collectible Santas.
Home also to the Sparks Heritage Museum, which highlights the history of the Rail City and the Truckee Meadows, Victorian Square is a natural magnet for people and events. "Sparks is widely known as the premiere special events venue for all of Northern Nevada, with attractions on our Victorian Square bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to annual events," Mayberry says.
For instance, the Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market sets up over 100 booths from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays from June 14 to August 23 (no market on August 9). When Northern Nevada transforms into a giant classic car extravaganza for Hot August Nights August 3 through 12, the square sees festivities such as show-and-shines and old-time rock-and-roll concerts. The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off fi res up August 29 to September 3 with lip-smacking barbecue, special concerts and an arts and crafts fair.
SPARKS MARINA PARK
One freeway exit east of Victorian Square is Sparks Marina Park, a former quarry turned aquatic recreation area. "For being in the middle of the high desert, it's pretty unique to have an 80-acre oasis with recreational opportunities unique to this region," said Stan Sherer, the city's parks and recreation director.
The water allows for kayaking, non-motorized boating, trout fishing (license required) and swimming, and scuba divers can even explore a sunken F-4 Phantom jetfighter. A 1.8-mile concrete trail circling the marina provides opportunities for walking and jogging, and there are sand courts for volleyball. Other amenities include a playground, picnic gazebo, concession stand, fishing piers, a fish-cleaning station and showers.
Pups love the park, too. They are permitted to play in the gated dog park that borders the shore and can nudge their owners into Scraps Dog Bakery for a treat.
For refreshments for the rest of us, there's Anchors Bar & Grill, which serves fresh seafood and steak dishes. Offering alfresco dining, the restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, and serves breakfast on weekends. Good & Looney Bar-B-Que is a family owned and operated eatery offering home-style meals for lunch and dinner. The Jib Coffee House & Wine Bar's menu includes breakfast fare, tapas, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
Events here include Star-Spangled Sparks, an annual Fourth of July celebration which includes a milk carton boat regatta, a kite flying contest, food, drinks, arts and crafts and entertainment, culminating with fireworks over Victorian Square. On July 28, kids aged 12 and under can display their athletic prowess at the Paddle, Pedal, Patter Kids' Triathlon, which features courses for kayaking, swimming, biking and running.
MORE ATTRACTIONS
A few minutes' drive from Sparks Marina is a summer family favorite, Wild Island Family Adventure Park. One component, the water park, contains pools, slides, pavilions and volleyball and horseshoe courts. The Family Entertainment Center boasts a miniature golf course, sprint and Indy car rides and an arcade. The Coconut Bowl offers 20 lanes of bowling and billiards. Children love the High Ballocity play structure.
A quieter, less-crowded recreation alternative is the paved, five-mile path that winds along the north side of the Truckee River from the Alamo Truck Plaza in Sparks (off the Sparks Boulevard exit) to Fisherman's Park in Reno. It's a nice stretch for walking, biking or in-line skating.
CHANGES UNDER WAY
Sparks is slated for yet more growth. The Legends at Sparks Marina, an 800,000 square foot destination development featuring shopping, dining and entertainment venues (including a spa, casino and night clubs) has broken ground and is scheduled to open late next year. Similarly, $3.6 million worth of construction and improvements have begun at Victorian Square, designed to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and make room for the District at Victorian Square, a new urban community of 171 condominiums and townhouses and commercial spaces.
"We are committed to continually improving the quality of projects within the city," says Neil Krutz, community development manager.