Children splashed through streaming fountains of water Saturday morning to break in the newly completed Bob McFadden Plaza, located on the old Third Street section between Carson and Curry streets.
Families also lined up for a few pancake breakfast supplied by Mom and Pop's starting at 9 a.m. this morning.
And Q&D Construction displayed some of its heavy construction equipment for children to explore along Curry Street.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the permanent outdoor stage and was attended by several dignitaries, including Mayor Bob Crowell, Nevada Assemblyman P.K. O'Neill of District 40, members of the McFadden Family, Mark and Jenny Lopiccollo who own the St. Charles Hotel, Jim Phalan of The Firkin and Fox, Doug and Jamie Cramer of Mom and Pop's, Ronni Hannaman of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada.
"On behalf of the community of Carson City, I want to thank everybody for being here, and thank everyone for their contributions to making Third Street into McFadden Plaza," Crowell addressed the crowd. "It's just a wonderful venue for all of us."
The mayor present commemorative coins to business and property owners along the plaza, as well as the project's signature private contributor, the family of the late Bob McFadden, who passed away in 2004.
Mayor Crowell presented Carson City-minted silver coins to Rob McFadden, a former United States Marine and son of the late Bob McFadden, to the Lopiccolos, Phalan, and the Cramers.
"Your family's contributions put us over the top and made this what it is today," Crowell said to Rob McFadden. "I think when you look out here and you see what that money bought, it's tremendous."
He had special remarks, too, reserved for the businesses along the plaza that have been crowded by construction activity sice the March 7 groundbreaking.
"Mom and Pop's is an iconic part of Carson City, and we want to thank both of you for putting up with all of the construction," he said to Doug and Jamie Cramer. "I'm sure it's going to lead to better days down here."
Assemblyman O'Neill presented Carson McFadden, daughter of the late Bob McFadden, with a proclamation signd by himself and the Assembly speaker.
And Hannaman thanked the Lopiccolos for their contributions to helping make the new plaza a reality.
"They gave up a lot of parking and added a lot of tiles at their own expense to help make this plaza look very good," she said.
Rob McFadden said this was the first grand opening ceremony he's attended in downtown Carson City since his father opened his real estate here 30 years ago.
"He loved this area so much, and he wanted to preserve this property," McFadden said. "It means a lot."
McFadden said his father fought efforts to demolish the historical buildings along Carson Street from Third to Fifth streets, because he felt the area had too much sentimental value.
"He wanted this area to be a walkable downtown," McFadden said. "He wanted downtown to be a place for people to congregrate, and it hadn't been that way. He wanted it to remain Victorian and historical in appearance. This is exactly what he would have wanted."
McFadden said his father would be pleased with what downtown Carson City is becoming.
"If he was alive today, he'd be amazed at what this has become," he said.
