reno-sparks by the dozen

Discover 12 Truckee Meadows events you don’t want to miss in 2011 and 2012.

By CRISTIANA CORRAO & CHARLIE JOHNSTON | November/December 2011

NOVEMBER & 2012

Broadway Comes to Reno
With its array of stellar performing arts venues, Reno has plenty to offer theatergoers, but the town’s modest size has occasionally prevented the big Broadway shows from making it to The Biggest Little City. Thanks to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts’ “Broadway Comes to Reno” series, Northern Nevadans get a chance to experience the splendor of some of Midtown New York’s finest performances.

Seasons typically comprise six shows. The remainder of the 2011-12 season includes “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” November 25-27; “Young Frankenstein,” January 27-29, 2012; “Damn Yankees,” February 17-19, 2012; “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles,” March 16-18, 2012; and “The Color Purple,” April 13-15, 2012. pioneercenter.com, 775-686-6600

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DECEMBER

Sparks Hometowne Christmas
The holiday season is a time for carol singing, eggnog drinking, cookie eating, and jovial celebrating. The City of Sparks jump-starts the mood of yuletide cheer on December 2 with the community tree-lighting ceremony. The celebration continues December 3 with the annual Christmas parade showcasing high school bands, dance troupes, community organizations, and the big man himself, Santa Claus. Attendees will get the chance to meet St. Nick and browse the various arts and crafts vendors on hand. sparksitshappeninghere.com, 775-353-2350—Cristiana Corrao

Reno Santa Pub Crawl
A decidedly more adult-themed Christmas celebration in the Truckee Meadows, the annual Reno Santa Pub Crawl, December 10, is the nation’s largest no-charge pub-crawl and features upwards of 5,000 revelers dressed as, you guessed it, Kris Kringle. renosantacrawl.com, 775-453-0510

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JANUARY 2012

Sheep Dip 48
Northern Nevada’s Basque sheep-herding traditions have loaned the region some of its most-loved cultural quirks. Though the rich heritage and food found in Basque-style eateries first comes to mind, the annual Sheep Dip Show is on the short list as well. While the phrase “sheep dip” refers to a cleansing solution in which herders historically dipped their sheep to clean them, the event of the same name references the satirical “cleansing dip” area newsmakers are given during the annual fundraiser and roast.

Hosted by John Ascuaga’s Nugget, the resort owned by Nevada’s best-known Basque-American, in Sparks, the January 20-21, 2012 Sheep Dip 48 exposes the follies and foibles of the Truckee Meadows during skits, songs, and dances performed by local celebrities, members of the media, and politicians. Proceeds from the event help support local charitable activities—over the event’s 47-year history it has donated more than $410,000. sheepdipshow.com, 775-356-3300

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MAY 2012

Rock-n-River Marathon
The popularity of distance running events has been increasing in recent years, and Reno’s Rock-n-River Marathon is convincing proof of the sport’s growing popularity. The early May, 26.2-mile Rock-n-River Marathon—which also includes a half marathon, 10-kilometer and 5K races, and children’s fun run—draws thousands of runners, joggers, and walkers to the streets of downtown Reno and scenic paths along the Truckee River. Having the start and finish lines under The Biggest Little City’s most recognizable landmark, the Reno Arch, augments the festive race-day atmosphere that includes live entertainment and free refreshments and food for participants. rock-n-riverhalfmarathon.com

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JUNE 2012

Reno River Festival
The Truckee River Whitewater Park and downtown Reno’s Riverwalk District and Wingfield Park are the stage for the country’s premier urban whitewater event, the Reno River Festival June 14-16, 2012. The three-day event includes Boatercross, freestyle kayaking, live music, a beer garden, local and national outdoor-related vendors, and the popular Run Amuck relay race, in which costumed teams of two complete a short footrace with obstacles that have, in previous years, included a mud pit and inflatable bounce house. renoriverfestival.com, 775-788-2131

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JULY 2012

Star Spangled Sparks
The City of Sparks knows how to honor the land of the free and celebrates Independence Day with exuberance worthy of the red, white, and blue. The July 4th event, Star Spangled Sparks, kicks off at dawn with hot-air balloon rides and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Sparks Marina. Milk carton boat races, food booths, a military fly-over, and a crafts fair fill the day until the festivities shift to Victorian Square in anticipation of the main event. Here people can enjoy live music, food, and a children’s area. John Ascuaga’s Nugget caps off the night with one of Nevada’s biggest fireworks displays. sparksitshappeninghere.com, 775-353-2350—CC

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JULY 2012

Artown
Reno’s month-long celebration of cultural diversity and artistic innovation draws more than 300,000 people to more than 400 events each year as it brings together local, national, and international artists to inspire and impress. With art exhibits, workshops, dance performances, music exhibitions, movies in the park, and more, Artown has something for attendees of all tastes and ages. While the main event spans the entire month of July, Artown holds events throughout the year, which include theatrical and musical performances. renoisartown.com, 775-322-1538—CC

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JULY & AUGUST 2012

Reno-Tahoe Open
Golf enthusiasts delight when the PGA Tour returns to Montrêux Golf and Country Club July 30-August 5, 2012. Reno has been a stop on the tour for 13 years and is one of only 47 PGA Tour events worldwide. Not only do spectators get to watch some of the best players in the game, they also have the opportunity to see one of Reno’s most beautiful, albeit private, courses. The Reno-Tahoe Open also hosts a variety of other on-site events for fans to enjoy, such as two pro-ams and wine tasting. renotahoeopen.com, 775-322-3900—CC

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AUGUST 2012

Hot August Nights
The stars of this show are the thousands of classic cars that roll into Reno each summer. Marking its 25th anniversary in 2012, Hot August Nights is a celebration of bygone years of rock ’n’ roll, poodle skirts, and hula hooping. The event, August 7-12, 2012, is one of the Reno-Sparks area’s most popular and has a week full of family-friendly festivities. With venues throughout Reno and Sparks, event goers can check out a new scene every night while swinging to the sounds of Herman’s Hermits, cruising down Virginia Street and Victorian Square, and admiring vintage automobiles. hotaugustnights.net, 775-356-1956—CC

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AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2012

Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off
There’s no better way to celebrate Labor Day Weekend and send off sum-mer than Sparks’ Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, August 29-September 3, 2012. Cooks from around the country converge to serve up the finger-lickin’-est ribs this side of…well, anywhere. The annual Rib-Eating Championship kicks off the event each year and features some of the top competitive eaters in the world. As top-notch as the ribs are entertainers such as The Family Stone, Heidi Newfield, and The Honeymoon. A children’s area and craft fair make this an event for the whole family. nuggetribcookoff.com, 775-324-6435—CC

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SEPTEMBER 2012

The Great Reno Balloon Race
Since its humble beginnings in 1982, The Great Reno Balloon Race—September 7-9, 2012—has taken off to become the biggest free ballooning event in the nation and includes more than 100 balloons that paint the Reno sky with vibrant splashes of color. One of the most stunning sights during the event is Dawn Patrol—occurring on Saturday and Sunday of the event—during which balloons rise in the dark skies before sunrise and glow like massive fireflies. renoballoon.com, 775-826-1181—CC

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SEPTEMBER 2012

Street Vibrations Fall Rally
The roar of Harley Davidson motorcycles, smell of gasoline fumes, and throngs of leather-clad babes and bikers means it’s late September in Reno, and the Street Vibrations Fall Rally has roared into The Biggest Little City. In its 18th year in 2012, the event is a celebration of biker culture and one of Northern Nevada’s most popular—and profitable—festivals. Goings-on in Reno, Sparks, and the surrounding area include America’s Finest Custom Bike Builders Expo, a tattoo expo, stunt shows, poker runs, live music, and motorcycle-related vendors. Street Vibrations Spring Rally in June features many attractions similar to the original Fall Rally and is centered at Sparks’ Victorian Square. road-shows.com, 775-329-7469

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National Championship Air Races & Air Show

The future of one of Northern Nevada’s most beloved events, September’s National Championship Air Races & Air Show at Reno’s Stead Airport, is uncertain following the worst accident in the event’s 48-year history. On Friday, September 16, a modified World War II P-51 Mustang—one of the most common types of aircraft at the event—flown by 74-year-old Jimmy Leeward of Ocala, Florida crashed near the grandstands, killing 11 people including Leeward and injuring more than 70 more.

In addition to the pilot, those lost in the accident include John Craik, 45, Gardnerville; Sharon Stewart, 47, Reno; Regina Bynum, 53, San Angelo, Texas; Cheryl Elvin, 71, Lenexa, Kansas; George Hewitt, 60, Mojave, Arizona; Wendy Hewitt, 56, Mojave, Arizona; James McMichael, 47, Graham, Washington; Greg Morcom, 47, Stanwood, Washington; Craig Salerno, 50, Friendswood, Texas; and Michael Wogan, 22, Scottsdale, Arizona. The remainder of the races were canceled following the crash that rekindled the ongoing debate over the safety of the event whose fate will likely be determined by insurance companies and their willingness to cover it. airrace.org, 775-972-6663