CERCA CALENDAR

As the weather really heats up, plan a summer getaway somewhere cool in Cerca Country.

Tuesday through July 4, Prescott, Ariz.: 124th annual Prescott Frontier Days, World's Oldest Rodeo. This year's theme is Spirit of the Frontiersman. Prescott's biggest event of the year includes rodeo performances, trail rides, parade, fireworks, fine arts and crafts fair, dances and live entertainment. (866) 407-6336. www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.

Friday through July 4, Austin: Gridley Days. This three-day event features a flour sack race, auction, parade, entertainment, street dance and town barbecue. (775) 964-2200. www.austinnevada.com.

Friday through July 31, Reno: Artown. This art festival features more than 400 events. Artists from around the world will showcase their talents in the visual, performing and humanities arts. Various venues (775) 322-1538. www.renoisartown.com.

Saturday through July 4, Elko: 48th annual National Basque Festival. This event features traditional Basque dance, music, food and Old Country games such as handball, weightlifting and wood chopping. Elko Basque Club and other venues. www.elkobasque.com.

Saturday and July 3, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 78th Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture. Hopis gather to sell their wares at more than 65 booths and to show their skilled techniques in a variety of mediums. Storytelling, music, dancing and American Indian food. Museum of Northern Arizona. (928) 774-5213. www.musnaz.org.

July 4, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Fireworks Show. This is the largest Fourth of July fireworks display in Southern California and can be viewed from anywhere on or along the lake and from most of the town. The fireworks will be shot off from a barge near Pine Knot Landing. (909) 866-4607. www.bigbear.com.

July 4, Caliente: Caliente Fourth of July Celebration. This event starts with the Fireman's Breakfast, followed by a parade and then the afternoon activities of children's games and a watermelon bust. There will be a fireman's grudge match and then a fireworks show that evening. Activities take place at Rose and Dixon Parks. (877) 870-3003. www.lincolncountynevada.com.

July 4, Laughlin: Rockets over the River. A spectacular 20-minute fireworks display launched over the Colorado River and choreographed to music on a high-fidelity sound system. (702) 298-2214. www.visitlaughlin.com.

July 8, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Photography at Cedar Breaks. Join photographer Michael Plyler for a day learning the best way to photograph the park's stunning wildflower displays. Plyler will discuss capturing the big vistas versus the close-up shots. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

July 8-24, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Sixth annual Wildflower Festival. This monthlong festival takes place during peak wildflower season. Take part in guided hikes, workshops on edible plants and kids' scavenger hunt. (435) 586-9451. www.nps.gov/cebr.

July 8-9, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: The annual Big Bear PaddleFest. This festival features clinics and races for kayaks and canoes on Big Bear Lake's north shore. This event is open to all levels of paddlers. Various venues. (909) 866-3414. www.bigbearpaddlefest.com/

July 9, Cedar City and Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Cedar Mountain Wildflowers. Participants will take a wildflower tour starting in Cedar City and traveling up through the many life zones to Cedar Breaks. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

July 11, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Wildflower Journaling at Cedar Breaks. Join instructor Sandy Bell for a day in the park where you will learn some of the best ways to record your experiences. No prior writing or drawing experience is required. Tools, materials and methods of writing will be covered. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

July 14-16, Boulder, Utah: Boulder Heritage Festival. This is a celebration of the community's arts, crafts, music and history. The festival takes place at Anasazi State Park, a treat to visit in itself, where the first known inhabitants of this area lived. (435) 335-7550. www.boulderutah.com.

July 14-Aug. 13, Cedar City, Utah: The Neil Simon Festival. This summer the plays are "Barefoot in the Park," "The Nerd" and "Rumors." Tuesdays through Saturdays with matinee and evening performances. Cedar City Heritage Theater. (866) 357-4666. www.simonfest.org.

July 15-Aug. 21, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This year's play is "Twelfth Night." Sand Harbor State Park. (775) 832-1616. www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

July 15, 24, 28, 30 and 31, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Star Parties. Park staff and astronomy volunteers conduct these events featuring telescopes set up to view the night sky. The program starts at the park's visitor center, then heads out to Point Supreme. (435) 586-0787. www.nps.gov/cebr.

July 16, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Lake Chili Cook-Off. More than 35 cooks will take part in this year's event along with more than 80 vendors. Children's activities include two bounce houses and games. This event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Bartlett Road parking lot. (909) 866-4607. www.bigbearchilicookoff.com.

July 16, Bryce Canyon, Utah: Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk. The half-marathon travels from Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon to National Scenic Byway 12. It then travels through Tropic and ends in Cannonville. The 5K starts and finishes in Cannonville. (800) 444-6689. www.bryce canyonhalfmarathon.com.

July 29, Eureka: The Gillette Brothers. The Eureka Opera House is the venue for this evening of traditional cowboy and roots music with Guy and Pipp Gillette. (775) 237-6006. www.co.eureka.nv.us.

July 29-30, Yerington: A Night in the Country. Headliners Clay Walker and Travis Tritt along with other music talents perform. Benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mason Valley. (775) 463-2334. www.bgcmasonvalley.org.