Kentucky Derby Saturday Plus Info on Over 15 May Events

In this week's blog: our owner's Horse running in Kentucky Derby (See Update Below), info on over 15 May events, win dinner in CV Steak, a $75,000 Giveaway and a bunch more!

Facebook Winner Plus Another Contest Today: "Shout out" to Becky Cohn Kendall who won two tickets to the Michael Martin Murphy Concert in our Facebook contest last week. In a "good karma" gesture, Becky is taking her friend Heather . . . who just happens to be the person who suggested she enter the contest! What's next? Check our Facebook Page today for an easy contest to win a Free Dinner for Two in CV Steak!

Cinco de Mayo at the CVI: Join us Monday, May 5 for Cinco de Mayo with 5X Points all day in the casino plus drawings at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. for a chance to win up to $5,000 instantly.  The casino bars are offering 16-Ounce Corona Light draft for $2 and Two Beef Tacos for $3.99. A few steps away, Katie's is serving $3.99 Chicken Enchiladas and $3.99 Beef Burritos.

Kentucky Derby Update: Graded stakes winner Hoppertunity, the 6-to-1 second choice on the morning line for the  140th Kentucky Derby, will be scratched from the first leg of the Triple Crown because of a problem with his left front foot, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.

Vroom, Vroom: Someone will win a Polaris Sportsman® 400 H.O tonight at the CVI!! Our thanks to the folks at Michael’s Cycle Works who were kind enough to provide one of these sporty units for display on our casino floor all month. Drawings are at 6 and 8 p.m. UPDATE: Lyndel G. of Gardnerville was the lucky winner who opted to leave the adventure to someone else and pocketed the $4,500 Cash option.

Are We Really Giving Away $75,000 in Cash? Yes – Guaranteed! Between the CVI and our sister property Bodines Casino we are giving away $75,000 in cash during May and June. That's a bundle of money and all the details are on this page!

Fun Events Coming in May: We routinely put together an extensive internal calendar so all of us at the CVI can try to keep up with "what's goin' on" around here. We thought you might like an edited version of just some of the many events (most with links) happening in May at or near the CVI. For those events nearby, perhaps you'll stop by before or after and enjoy some of our entertainment, food and hospitality!

• The Michael Martin Murphey Concert is this Thursday, May 1 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center. Tickets are still available and the weather will be great!
• The Genoa Cowboy Festival is this Friday through Sunday in Genoa – same great weather.
• The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 3.  In case you missed our last few blogs, don't read the local paper, or have had blinders on: Keep your eye on Hoppertunity in the Derby this Saturday – the colt is owned by CVI owner, Mike Pegram! Oh, we really don't think any of our readers wear blinders, but some horses do while racing and we just took a stab at topical humor.
• Sweet Sippin Sundays start this Sunday, May 4 in Genoa.
• The NFL Draft is next week on May 8, 9 & 10. We only bring this up because the Draft marks the unofficial beginning of the 2014 Fantasy Football preseason for many local football fanatics!
• The Carson Valley Arts Council Tempest Celtic Rock Concert is Friday, May 9 at the CVIC Hall in Minden – less than a 5 minute walk from the Inn. Check out our Special Hotel Package.
• Big Mama's 9^th Annual Show & Shine Car Show is Saturday, May 10 in Lampe Park. 
• Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11 and we are offering specials in Katie's and CV Steak plus a  CVI Weekend Hotel Package.
• May 12 in CV Steak: OK, so this is not really an event as such. But we figure we can include whatever we want in our blog, so just a friendly reminder: Starting May 12, CV Steak is open 7-nights-a-week for the summer!
• The Monthly CVI Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, May 13 with all the entry fees paid back out as prize money!
• The first 2014 Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk is May 15 in the Gardnerville Main Street District. This is a great afternoon "tune up" for . . .
• The Oak Ridge Boys Concert is Thursday, May 15 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center and tickets are selling fast with more tickets sold than there are remaining (HINT – get on the stick and get your tickets before we start our advertising blitz).
• The Action/Adventure Expo is Friday & Saturday, May 16 & 17 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion.
• The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, May 17 and we don't know yet if CVI owner Mike Pegram will have a horse running . . . but you can bet we'll let you know as soon as we know!
• The Minden Farmer’s Market Starts Tuesday, May 20 and continues on Tuesday evenings thru September on Esmeralda Street in Minden.
• The first GE Community Concert in Minden Park is Friday evening, May 30 featuring Heartache Tonight (A Salute to the Eagles).  The CVI is proud to be a series sponsor and the host hotel for all Community Concert performers.
• The CVI Food Truck Festival is Saturday, May 31 in and near TJ's Corral.
• More Concerts??: Of course - all the concerts are on this page.

Sous Chef Patrick Pierce's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is a Game Mix Grill with marinated Buffalo and Elk medallions, Venison and Rabbit Sausage and finished with a Brandy Cherry Demi-Glace for $29.00. As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato.

Talk to Us! To send us suggestions or comments shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department. We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!