Cerca Travel Calendar
The action heats up during June in Cerca Country. Explore and enjoy nature, join in town celebrations and witness the "World's Oldest Rodeo."
Monday and Tuesday, Tonopah: 41st Annual Jim Butler Days. The town's largest event features a parade, mining competitions, children's activities, food and entertainment. (775) 482-6336. www.tonopahnevada.com/
Thursday , Zion National Park, Utah: Thursday Trek. Explore the park with a naturalist and learn about the animals and plants that call Zion home, as well as the geological activity that formed the park. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org/
Saturday , Lake Tahoe: National Trails Day. This is a celebration of South Shore trails. There will be trail building and family activities. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels may participate. Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Van Sickle CA/NV Bi-State Park in Stateline. (775) 298-0012. www.tahoerimtrail.org/
Saturday and June 5, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Pirate Faire. Search for buried treasure, sail on a pirate ship and watch entertainment such as pirate battles and court re-enactments. The Faire takes place at John's Harbor in Fawnskin, which will be transformed into a 17th-century buccaneer village. Grog and vittles. (800) 424-4232. www.bigbear.com/
June 5, Lake Tahoe: 20th Annual America's Most Beautiful Bike Race. This event features a 35-mile Fun Ride, 72-mile ride around the lake and a full 100-mile century. (800) 565-2704. www.bikethewest.com/
June 6, Zion National Park, Utah: North Gate Peaks Exploratory. This naturalist-guided outing takes you on a four-mile round-trip hike in the Kolob Terrace area of the park. Geology and Zion ecology will be discussed, and you will learn about the park's edible plants. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org/
June 8-12, Gardnerville: Carson Valley Days. This valley favorite is now in its 101st year and includes tractor pulls, tug-o-war competitions, arm wrestling, a carnival, parade, live music and food. Lampe Park. (775) 790-0114. www.carsonvalley2030.org/
June 10-12, Carson City: Carson City Rendezvous. This living history weekend features the Pony Express, a mountain man encampment, Civil War volunteers with skirmishes, the Nevada Gunfighters and Native American dancing and crafts. Food court, children's activities and entertainment. (775) 687-7410. www.visitrenotahoe.com/
June 11, Kingman, Ariz.: Hualapai Mountain Chili Cook-off. Enter your own or just enjoy chili tasting. Music, vendors, beer garden. Hualapai Mountain Resort. (928) 757-3545. www.hmresort.net/
June 11 and 25, Zion National Park, Utah: Zion Narrows Service Project. Join a naturalist to discover the world famous Zion Narrows. This seven-mile hike will include discussing the geology, plants and wildlife of the area and a short service project while in the canyon. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org/
June 16-25, Reno: Reno Rodeo. This is called the "Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West," where participants come from around the world. There also will be a parade, carnival and plenty of children's activities. (800) 225-2277. www.renorodeo.com/
June 18, Kingman, Ariz.: Kingman Family Fun Day. Kingman's Wild West Society presents western re-enactments and shootouts with live music in between performances. Vendors, food and art displays. Locomotive Park. (951) 203-1479. www.kingmantourism.org/
June 18, Parowan, Utah: Summer Solstice. Enjoy a presentation of the ancient Native American solar calendar and observation of the summer solstice sunset. Parowan Gap Petroglyph Site. (435) 477-3734. www.scenicsouthernutah.com/
June 22-26, Cedar City, Utah: Ninth Annual Groovefest American Music Festival. This four-day festival features music, workshops and seminars. Art, food and vendors. Cedar City Main Street Park. (435) 867-9800. www.scenicsouthernutah.com/
June 23 through Sept. 3, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespeare Festival. This season's plays include "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Richard III," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Music Man" and "The Glass Menagerie." Matinees and evening performances. Dark Sundays. (800) 752-9849. www.bard.org/
June 28-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/
July 1-4, 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/
July 1-17, 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 hunts. (435) 586-9451. www.nps.gov/cebr/
July 1-31, Reno: Artown. This art festival features more than 400 events. Artists from around the world will showcase their talents in the visual and performing arts and humanities. Various venues. (775) 322-1538. www.renoisartown.com/
July 2-4, 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/
