Cerca calendar

From celebrations of the Old West to the counterculture festival Burning Man, the coming month in Cerca Country offers a particularly rich variety of escapes from ordinary days. Peruse this menu and find some to your taste.

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

Through Aug. 14, Cedar City, Utah: The Neil Simon Festival. This summer, the plays are "California Suite," "Steel Magnolias" and "Broadway Bound." Tuesdays through Saturdays with matinee and evening performances. Cedar City Heritage Theater. (866) 357-4666, www.simonfest.org.

Through Aug. 22, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This year's production is "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)." Play runs Saturdays and Sundays, and Tuesdays through Thursdays. Monday and Friday nights offer music series. Sand Harbor State Park. (800) 747-4697, www. laketahoeshakespeare.com.

Through Sept. 4, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespearean Festival. This summer plays are "Much Ado about Nothing," "The Merchant of Venice," "Macbeth," "Great Expectations," "Pride and Prejudice" and "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps." (435) 586-7878. www.bard.org.

Aug. 1-8, Reno and Sparks: Hot August Nights. Relive the '50s and '60s, when cars and rock 'n' roll ruled. Thousands of cars from across the nation are registered for this event. Controlled cruises, show 'n' shines. Live entertainment and food. (775) 356-1956. www.hotaugustnights.net.

Aug. 5-7, Panaca: Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo. Events include 4-H Club exhibits, fun run, gymkhana and other rodeo events, and an art show featuring county residents. Entertainment and food. Lincoln County Fairgrounds. (775) 728-4292. www.lincolncountynv.org.

Aug. 5-8, Mesquite: Elvis Rocks Mesquite. Elvis tribute artists depicting the King in '50s, '60s and '70s compete for the title of Elvis Rocks Mesquite. Other events include an Elvis sock hop and Elvis karaoke. CasaBlanca Resort, (888) 711-4653, www.casablancaresort.com.

Aug. 6-7, Cove Fort, Utah: Cove Fort Days. Living history demonstrations, entertainment, tours and wagon rides at this restored frontier fort. Hot dogs and beverages. Cove Fort Historic Site. (435) 438-5547 www.placestovisit. lds.org.

Aug. 7, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: "Blues for the Zoo." Celebrating 50 Years of Sanctuary. Concert headliners include the Delta Guitar Slingers and Guy Davis. Swim Beach Outdoor Amphitheater. (909) 584-1299. www.moonridgezoo.org.

Aug. 7, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Geology of Cedar Breaks. Spend the day with a geologist and learn about the complex past of the exposed rock layers at the monument. Zion Canyon Field Institute. Reservations needed. 435- 772-3264. www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 7-8, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 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. Museum of Northern Arizona. (928) 774-5213. www.musnaz.org.

Aug. 12-15, Eureka: Eureka County Fair. Four-day family event features 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. 13-15, Washoe Valley: Bower's Mansion Bluegrass Festival. This year's bands include The Monday Night Volunteer Band, Code Bluegrass, Hick'ry Switch, Fremont's Cannon and the Barbecue Boys. Workshops and musical instruction. Bower's Mansion Regional Park. www.bowersbluegrassfestival.org.

Aug. 14, Bullhead City, Ariz.: Bullhead City River Regatta. Inner tubes and boats decorated according to this year's theme, "Rockin' The River!," float down the Colorado River. (928) 763-0158. www.bullheadregatta.com.

Aug. 14-15 and Aug. 21-22, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear City Renaissance Faire. Pedersen's Mill in Fawnskin. (800) 424-4232. www.bigbear.com.

Aug. 19-21, Panguitch, Utah: Garfield County Fair. Events include fish grab, Dutch oven/chili cook-off, pet show and talent contest. Panguitch Fairgrounds. (435) 676-8585. www.brycecanyoncountry.com.

Aug. 19-22, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Cowboy Gathering and Storyfest features musicians, authors, storytellers and poets. Blacksmith demos, movie set tours, fashion shows, costume contest. Performing Arts Center. (909) 649-3492. www. bigbearcowboygathering.net.

Aug. 20, Zion National Park, Utah: Reptiles and Amphibians Workshop takes participants into a variety of habitats to look for such creatures. Be prepared for hiking and wading in shallow water. Zion Canyon Field Institute. Reservations needed. 435- 772-3264. www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 21-22, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Native American Arts Festival features arts and crafts for sale by the artists themselves. Music, dance and storytelling. Moonridge Animal Park. (909) 584-1299. www.moonridgezoo.org.

Aug. 26-28, Kanab, Utah: Western Legends Roundup and Film Festival. In its 12th year, this 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. 25-29, Reno: Nevada State Fair. Exhibits, entertainment, children's rides, carnival and games. Livestock Events Center. (775) 688-5767. www.nvstatefair.com.

Aug. 27-Sept. 6, Elko: Elko County Fair includes horse racing, stallion competitions, stock horse challenges, 4-H livestock shows, Basque food, arts and crafts. (775) 738-3616. www.elkocountyfair.com.

Aug. 28, 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 leads through forests of ponderosa pines. (866) 866-6616. www.rubysinn.com.

Aug. 30-Sept. 6, Black Rock City: Burning Man. This annual countercultural event is partly an art festival and partly an experiment in temporary community, all dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance. "Metropolis" will be this year's art theme. www.burningman.com.

Sept. 2-6, Parowan, Utah: Iron County Fair. Called Utah's "Biggest Little Fair," its events include 5K fun run and walk, Miss Iron County Pageant, eating contests, Tour de Gap Bike Race, carnival, car show and parade. (435) 477-8380. www.ironcountyfair.net.

Sept. 3-5, Mesquite: Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ. This barbecue competition features the Mesquite BBQ Championship and the Backyard BBQ Cook-off. Teams from around the nation will be competing for $40,000 in cash and prizes. CasaBlanca Resort and casino. (702) 346-7539. www. mesquitebbqchampionship.com.

Sept. 3-6, Pioche: Labor Day Celebration. The town's largest event of the year features mining events, 10K fun run, fishing derby, chili cook-off, electric light parade and children's events. (775) 962-5544. www.piochenevada.com.