August 2012 Cerca Calendar

Theater, fairs and cultural events of all shapes and sizes make for a lively month in Cerca country.

Friday and Saturday, Cove Fort, Utah: Cove Fort Days. Living history demonstrations, entertainment, tours and wagon rides are offered at this old Mormon fort. Hot dogs and beverages will be available. Cove Fort Historic Site. 435-438-5547 www.placestovisit.lds.org.

Saturday and Aug. 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 63rd annual Navajo Festival of Art and Culture. Learn about the Dine culture, including the complex art of Navajo weaving and the importance of the Navajo Code Talkers. Entertainment and activities for children will be available. Museum of Northern Arizona. 928-774-5213. www.musnaz.org.

Through Aug. 11, Cedar City, Utah: The Neil Simon Festival. This summer's plays are "Proposals," "The Odd Couple," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Goodbye Girl." Matinee and evening performances are available. Cedar City Heritage Theater. 866-357-4666. www.simonfest.org.

Through Aug. 26, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival presents "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." Sand Harbor State Park. www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com. 775-832-1616.

Through Sept. 1, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespeare Festival. This summer's plays include "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Mary Stuart," "Titus Andronicus," "Scapin" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Randall L. Jones and Adams Shakespearean theaters on the Southern Utah University campus. 800-752-9849. www.bard.org.

Aug. 7-12, Reno and Sparks: Hot August Nights. Relive the '50s and '60s, when cars and rock 'n' roll ruled. Thousands of cars are registered for this event from across the nation. Controlled cruises and show-n-shines will be featured. Live entertainment and food will be available. (775) 356-1956. www.hotaugustnights.net.

Aug. 9-11, Panaca: Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo. Events include 4-H Club exhibits, Fun Run, Gymkana and other rodeo events as well as an art show featuring works by county residents. Entertainment and food will be available. Lincoln County Fairgrounds. 775-962-1724. www.lincolncountynv.org.

Aug. 9-11, Bullhead City, Ariz.: Bullhead City River Regatta. Decorated inner tubes and boats float down the Colorado River decorated with this year's theme, "True to the Red, White and Blue." 928-763-0158. www.bullheadregatta.com.

Aug. 9-12, Eureka: Eureka County Fair. This multiday family event features a horse show, team branding competition, old-fashioned saddle bronc riding, entertainment, exhibits, games and plenty of food. (775) 237-6026. www.co.eureka.nv.us/fair.htm.

Aug. 11-12 and Aug. 18-19, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear City Renaissance Faire. This annual event features a variety of musical entertainment and historical re-enactments. It is on Big Bear Lake's North Shore in Fawnskin. (800) 424-4232. www.bigbear.com.

Aug. 16-18, Kanab, Utah: Annual Western Legends Roundup and Film Festival. This celebration of the Old West includes cowboy poetry, fiddle contest, Dutch oven cook-off, Indian dancing, quilt show and a quick draw contest. There will also be a street fair, parade and live cowboy music. 435-644-3444. www.westernlegendsroundup.com

Aug. 16-18, Panguitch, Utah: Garfield County Fair. Events include Fish Grab, Dutch oven/chili cook-off, pet show and talent contest. Panguitch Fairgrounds. 435-676-8949. www.brycecanyoncountry.com.

Aug. 16-19, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Cowboy Gathering. The theme this year is "The Cattle Drive." The event will feature musicians, authors, storytellers and poets. Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. 909-380-1871. www.bigbearcowboygathering.net.

Aug. 17-19, Washoe Valley: The 27th annual Bower's Mansion Bluegrass Festival. This year's bands will include Southwestern Pilgrimage, Wyatt Troxel, Strange on the Range, Run Boy Run and The Mountain Girls. Workshops and musical instruction will be available. Bower's Mansion Regional Park. www.bowersbluegrassfestival.org.

Aug. 24-26 and Aug. 29-Sept. 3, Elko: Elko County Fair. This event features horse racing, stallion competitions, stock horse challenges, 4-H livestock shows, Basque food, and arts and crafts. 775-738-3616. www.elkocountyfair.com.

Aug. 25, Bryce Canyon, Utah: Bryce Canyon Rim Run and Walk. One of Utah's most scenic races as the five-mile course follows the canyon rim and forests of ponderosa pines. 800-468-8660. www.rubysinn.com.

Aug. 27-Sept. 3, Black Rock City: Burning Man. This annual event is partly an art festival, partly an experiment in temporary community - all dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance. www.burningman.com.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Parowan, Utah: Iron County Fair. Called Utah's "Biggest Little Fair," it will include 5k Fun Run and Walk, Miss Iron County Pageant, eating contests, rodeo, horse races, carnival, car show and parade. 435-477-8380. www.ironcountyfair.net.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Pioche: Annual Labor Day Celebration. The town's largest event of the year will feature mining events, 10k Fun Run, fishing derby, chili cook-off, electric light parade and children's events. 775-962-5848. www.piochenevada.com.

Sept. 1-2, Mesquite: Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ. This barbecue competition will feature teams from across the nation who will compete for $40,000 in cash and prizes. CasaBlanca Resort and Casino. 888-711-4653. www.mesquitebbqchampionship.com.