Murder, mystery, and fun filled the evening as “Detective Guests’ enjoyed a uniquely Yerington murder mystery dinner, Mystery in the Moonlight, Saturday, September 19th, 2026 at the Lyon County Fair Grounds.
Mystery in the Moonlight Cast of Characters. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
As guests arrived, they stepped back in time as detectives and explored the many shops and clues carefully crafted into a slower paced Yerington of 1906 where they were greeted by cattle ranchers, shareholders of the Wilson Mine and Pine Grove Mines, Yerington’s elite, a local blacksmith, a Wells’ Fargo Investigator, and the downtrodden of Yerington, 1906. Guests received a detective kit that contained important information on each character in addition to tools necessary for solving crimes, especially murder! The local newspaper, The Yerington Times, and other tools provided clues to guide the guests as they witnessed three murders throughout the evening. Winning detective teams received a certificate and picture with the murderer!
Murder Mystery Dinner Game Pieces from HudBay. Photo from Melissa Giorgi.
Mystery in the Moonlight was created in collaboration between four local organizations: Chapter O of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), First Responders Benefit, Through a Child’s Eyes Foundation, and Yerington Chamber of Commerce. (In alphabetical order).
All proceeds from this event will benefit these incredible organizations.
Did you miss this event? No worries, Chapter O, P.E.O.; First Responders, Benefit; Through a Child’s Eyes Foundation; and Yerington Chamber of Commerce are already crafting next year’s uniquely Yerington murder mystery dinner. Be watching for dates!Â
Click on a photo to enlarge and scroll:
Mystery in the Moonlight Cast. Photo from Melissa Giorgi.
Mystery in the Moonlight Cast of Characters. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Super Sleuths: Sherlock Holmes Detective Agency, Fletcher Detective Agency, and Columbo Detective Agency are pictured with the murderer, Ella Rugger. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
From left to right, Sharon Godfrey, set design, Karen Pedersen, mystery creator, writer, director; Kay Hardesty, writing/directing team and event host, Nancy Park, writing directing team and event host; Cathe Faretto, writing/directing team and Catherine of Silk and Secrets. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Murder Mystery Dinner Game Pieces from HudBay. Photo from Melissa Giorgi.
The Mystery in the Moonlight planning committee: Catrinna Schulz, Nancy Park, Kim Bull, Ashley Carlgen, Cathe Faretto, Kay Hardesty, Karen Pedersen, and chair of the committee, Melanie Young Pinkerton. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Ethel, played by Melissa Giorgi, attempts to convince Palmer Fernsby, played by Keith Meise, to vote for women’s rights. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
William Ruffin, played by Eric Glasgow, greets Catherine of Silk and Secrets, played by Cathe Faretto. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Victim number one lays dead as characters respond and the audience gathers clues. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Guests mingle with characters and look for clues. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Melissa & Michael Giorgi. Photo from Melissa Giorgi.
Guests interview characters to gather clues and learn more about the characters and mystery. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Murder victim two lies on the floor as characters respond and the audience gathers clues. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Characters have a silly moment at curtain call. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Mystery in the Moonlight Cast of Characters have a silly moment before guests arrive. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Clarence, played by Nathan Johnson, greets Margaret Fernsby, played by Sandra M. Pickens. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Guests witness a murder. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Characters engage with the audience. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Edna, played by Angela Banta, visits with Catherine of Silk and Secrets, played by Cathe Faretto. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Guests mingle with characters. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
Mystery in the Moonlight has just begun. Photo from Karen P. Pedersen.
From Mystery in the Moonlight Cast Member Omar Rodriguez Lopez: “What an amazing night it was at the Murder Mystery Dinner. The 1st one ever in Yerington and I loved being apart of it. To everyone involved thank you! To my fellow cast members, you all did amazing, it was an honor to share the stage with you all!
“Thank you all who joined us and to everyone who helped put this together, thank you! You are all amazing!
“Be blessed, be safe, and be good people. Let’s make it count. Peace, God!”
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