Cerca calendar: November 2012

Fall in Cerca country brings celebrations in places as diverse as Death Valley National Park and Cedar City, Utah, as well as the first signs of the upcoming holiday season.

THURSDAY, ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH: Thursday Trek. Join a naturalist for an introduction to the geology, flora, fauna and cultural history of Zion. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, PAGE, ARIZ.: Lake Powell Hot Air Balloon Regatta. Balloons lift off every morning. Street fair features food, arts and crafts, and local fundraisers; balloon glow after dark. 928-660-3405.
www.pagelakepowelltourism.com.

SATURDAY, KINGMAN, ARIZ.: Mohave County Veterans Day Parade, honoring military veterans, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. 928-757-9191. www.gokingman.com.

SATURDAY, SPRINGDALE, UTAH: Butch Cassidy 10k run and 5k walk. The 10k route runs from Springdale to the town of Grafton, and the 5k starts on Bridge Road in Rockville and continues to Grafton, a location site from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." 435-772-3434. www.springdaletown.com.

SATURDAY, ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH: Zion Geology Workshop. This workshop explores Zion's past. Short hikes will take you to landslides and rockfalls to discuss how water and erosion continues shaping Zion's landscape. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

NOV. 4, ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH: Painting with Light. This workshop is taught by Peter Nisbet and concentrates on painting light in the landscape. The morning session will be an audiovisual presentation and the afternoon will be spent outdoors painting. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

NOV. 7, CEDAR CITY, UTAH: Iron Mission Days. Cedar City's birthday celebration features pioneer-living skills demonstrations, lectures and guided tours. Frontier Homestead State Park Museum. 435-586-9290.
www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

NOV. 7-11, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.: 63rd annual Death Valley 49ers. Highlights include seeing the wagon train and desert trail riders riding into the valley after days on the trail, cowboy poetry, four-wheel-drive tours, western art show, and fiddle, mandolin, banjo and guitar competitions. www.deathvalley49ers.org.

NOV. 8-17, ST. GEORGE AND SPRINGDALE, UTAH: Red Rock Film Festival. Film competitions and screenings and panel discussions. Various venues. 435-705-5555. www.ophilia.com.

NOV. 10, BIG BEAR LAKE. Off-Roading for Our Heroes II. The 4x4 Corps and Warrior Foundation welcomes the public to entertain Wounded Warriors and their families on some of Big Bear's Jeep trails. 610-990-5098. www.4x4corps.com.

NOV. 15-19, ST. GEORGE, UTAH: Jubilee of Trees. This festival features an auction for one-of-a-kind Christmas trees, gala dinner and talent show. It's a benefit for Dixie Regional Medical Center. Dixie Convention Center. 435-251-2480. www.jubileeoftrees.org.

NOV. 17, ST. GEORGE, UTAH: Turkey Trot. This untimed 5k and one-mile walk/fun run is a benefit for Dixie Care and Share. Seegmiller Historical Farm and surrounding area. 435-634-5860. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

NOV. 20 THROUGH JAN. 1, PRESCOTT, ARIZ.: World's Largest Gingerbread Village. More than 100 gingerbread structures will be on display in a winter wonderland that includes electric trains. Prescott Resort. 928-776-1666. www.prescottresort.com.

NOV. 23, BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIF.: Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa in the Village. This all-day event features live entertainment, carolers, balloonists and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Village at Big Bear Lake. 909-878-4747. www.bigbear.com.

NOV. 24, WILLIAMS, ARIZ.: Williams Parade of Lights. The holiday season kicks off with a parade followed by the official tree-lighting ceremony. 800-863-0546.
www.experiencewilliams.com.

NOV. 28-DEC. 1, ST. GEORGE, UTAH: Dickens' Christmas Festival. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping at unique shops while being entertained by a cast of Dickens characters. Dixie Convention Center. 435-688-2990. www.dickenschristmasfestival.com.