CERCA CALENDAR

Hot days are followed by hot times throughout Cerca Country to the end of August and beyond. Pick music, science, or a chili cook-off; there's something in this calendar for every taste.

Through Aug. 15, Cedar City, Utah: The Neil Simon Festival. This summer's plays are "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," "Harvey" and "Biloxi Blues." Tuesdays through Saturdays, matinee and evening performances. Cedar City Heritage Theater. (866) 357-4666, www.simonfest.org.

Through Aug. 23, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This year's productions are "Measure for Measure" and "Much Ado About Nothing." Plays run Tuesdays through Sundays. Monday night music series. Sand Harbor State Park. (800) 747-4697, www.laketahoeshakespeare.com.

Through Aug. 29, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespearean Festival. The summer productions are, "The Secret Garden," "As You Like It," "Foxfire," "Private Lives," "The Comedy of Errors" and "Henry V." Matinee and evening performances. Dark Mondays. Fall season starts Sept. 18. (800) 752-9849, www.bard.org/

Friday-Aug. 2, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture. In its 60th year, this is oldest Navajo art show in the world. Visit more than 50 booths set up to display and sell art and watch artists demonstrate jewelry, painting, beading and pottery techniques. Museum of Northern Arizona. (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.

Friday through Aug. 9, Reno and Sparks: Hot August Nights. Experience the '50s and '60s again when thousands of classic cars descend on Reno and Sparks for street cruising, poker runs, car auctions, parades, drag races and vintage music. (775) 356-1956, www.hotaugustnights.net.

Saturday, Zion National Park, Utah: Saturday Bird Watching. Participants in this workshop will travel through a range of habitats, trying to find as many birds as possible. Day and evening with a dinner break on your own. Zion Canyon Field Institute. Reservations needed. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 2, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Dog Days Star Fest. This event will feature indoor programs as well as numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the campus. Lowell Observatory. (928) 233-3235, www.lowell.edu.

Aug. 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Flagstaff Night. The observatory will unveil the Planet Series, an exhibit by ceramic artist Paula Rice and featuring her interpretations of our planets as human figures. Reception, exhibit opening and telescope viewing. Lowell Observatory. (928) 233-3235, www.lowell.edu.

Aug. 6-9, Eureka: Eureka County Fair. This four-day family event features a horse show, team branding competition, hay contest, old-fashioned saddle bronc riding, entertainment, exhibits, games and plenty of food. (775) 237-6026, www.co.eureka.nv.us/fair.htm.

Aug. 7-8, Cove Fort, Utah: Cove Fort Days. Living history demonstrations, entertainment, tours and wagon rides at this old Mormon fort. Hot dogs and beverages. Cove Fort Historic Site. (435) 438-5547, www.placestovisit.lds.org.

Aug. 8, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Geology of Cedar Breaks. Spend the day with a geologist and learn about the complex geological past of the exposed rock layers at the monument. Zion Canyon Field Institute. Reservations needed. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org/

Aug. 11, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Perseid Meteor Shower. Indoor programs focus on the upcoming Perseid meteor showers. Telescope viewing of various celestial objects is included in the evening activities. Lowell Observatory. (928) 233-3235, www.lowell.edu.

Aug. 13-15, 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. 21, Zion National Park, Utah: Reptiles and Amphibians. This workshop will take participants into a variety of habitats to look for critters. Be prepared to hike and wade shallow water. Zion Canyon Field Institute. Reservations needed. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 20, Zion National Park, Utah: Bat Biology and Conservation. This workshop focuses on the 18 species of bats that call Zion home. Learn about their importance to the ecosystem, how to build a bat house and take part in the park's ongoing bat study. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 21-23, Washoe Valley: Bower's Mansion Bluegrass Festival. This year's bands include Sawmill Road, Sidesaddle & Co., Wild Creek, and the Bar BQ Boys. Workshops and musical instruction. Bower's Mansion County Park. (775) 747-4830, www. bowersbluegrassfestival.org.

Aug. 26-29, Kanab, Utah: Western Legends Roundup and Film Festival. This annual celebration of the Old West includes cowboy poetry, fiddle contest, tent revival, Dutch oven cook-off, Indian dancing, quilt show and a quick-draw contest. Street fair with art and food, parade and live cowboy music. (435) 644-3444, www. westernlegendsroundup.com.

Aug. 26-30, Reno: Nevada State Fair features exhibits, entertainment, children's rides, carnival and games. Livestock Events Center. (775) 688-5767, www.nvstatefair.com.

Aug. 28-29, Bullhead City, Ariz.: Bullhead City River Regatta. Inner tubes decorated with this year's theme, Birthday Bash, in honor of the towns 25th birthday, float down the Colorado River. (928) 763-0158. www.bullheadregatta.com.

Aug. 28-Sept. 7, Elko: Elko County Fair. Horseracing, stallion competitions, stock horse challenges, 4-H livestock shows, Basque food and arts and crafts. (775) 738-3616. www.elkocountyfair.com.

Aug. 29, 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. (866) 866-6616. www.rubysinn.com.

Aug. 31-Sept. 7, Black Rock City: Burning Man. This annual event is partly an art festival and partly an experiment in temporary community all dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance. This year's theme will be "American Dream." www.burningman.com.

Sept. 3-7, Parowan, Utah: Iron County Fair. Called Utah's "Biggest Little Fair," events include 5K Fun Run, Miss Iron County Pageant, eating contests, Tour de Gap Bike Race, carnival and parade. (435) 477-8380, www.ironcountyfair.net.

Sept. 4-7, Pioche: Labor Day Celebration. The town's largest annual event features mining-skill contests, 10K Fun Run, fishing derby, chili cook-off and electric light parade and children's events. (775) 962-5544, www.piochenevada.com.