CERCA CALENDAR

Mild fall weather through most of Cerca Country allows a rich holiday season, which begins about the end of October. Some of the year's most memorable events are scheduled over the next month; harvest a couple from the following schedule.

Through Nov. 7, Washington, Utah. Corn maze at Staheli Family Farm, Utah's only agricultural entertainment facility. Also offers cow train rides, pumpkin patch. Admission $8 adults, $5 children. (435) 229-5239, www.stahelifamilyfarm.com.

Through Nov. 17, Ivins, Utah: Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida" at Tuacahn Ampitheater. A contemporary musical take on the classic grand opera of the same name about a love between a soldier and enslaved princess that brings peace to warring nations. Admission $25-40. (800) 746-9882, information@ tuacahn.org.

Friday though Nov. 1, Beatty: Beatty Days. Celebrate the history of Beatty with events including ICS-sanctioned regional chili cook-off, Dutch oven cook-off, Old West shoot-outs, parade, wagon races, wheel barrow races and antique car show. Music and entertainment. (775) 553-2424. www.beattynevada.org.

Friday through Nov. 1, Carson City: Nevada Day Celebration. Anniversary of Nevada's statehood is observed with a best beard contest, food, music and the Nevada Day Parade, the largest in the state. (800) 638-2321. www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Saturday, Valley of Fire State Park: Halloween Jubilee. Come dressed in your favorite costume and join the hunt for Captain Clark's buried treasure. Arts and crafts, snacks and refreshments. (775) 397-2088. www.parks.nv.gov.

Nov. 4-8, Death Valley National Park, Calif.: 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 competitions for fiddle, mandolin, banjo and guitar. www.deathvalley49ers.org.

Nov. 5, 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.

Nov. 5-8, Page, Ariz.: Lake Powell Balloon Regatta. Balloon lift-off 7 a.m. each day at the Lake Powell National Golf Course. Street fair with food, arts and crafts and local fundraisers, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Page's main street, Lake Powell Blvd., will be shut down for balloon glow after dark. (928) 660-3405. www.cityofpage.org.

Nov. 7, Springdale, Utah: Butch Cassidy 10K Run and 5K walk. The 10K route starts in Springdale; the 5K on Bridge Road in Rockville, and each ends at Grafton, a location used to shoot the film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." (435) 772-3434. www.springdaletown.com.

Nov. 7-11, Cedar City, Utah: Iron Mission Days. Cedar City birthday celebration featuring pioneer living skills demonstrations, lectures and guided tours. (435) 586-9290. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Nov. 8, Parker, Ariz.: Bluewater Resort and Casino Triathlon. Long-course triathlon features a 1K swim, 53K bike and 8K run. Short course triathlon features 0.5K swim, 15K bike and 4K run, mountainmanevents.com.

Nov. 12-15, Springdale, Utah: Red Rock Film Festival. Film competitions and screenings and panel discussions within some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Various venues throughout Springdale. (435) 705-5555. www.ophilia.com.

Nov. 13, Zion National Park, Utah: Zion Geology Workshop. This two-day workshop explores Zion's past. Short hikes will take you to a slot canyon, landslide and a rockfall to discuss how water and erosion continue shaping Zion's landscape. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

Nov. 14, St. George, Utah: Virgin Wilderness and Beaver Dam Mountains: A Geologic Journey. This workshop will focus on geology going back 1.8 billion years examining the strata in the Virgin River Wilderness and the Beaver Dam Mountains. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

Nov. 16, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Enjoy the Leonid Meteor Shower at Lowell Observatory. This evening event will feature indoor programs focusing on meteor showers. Numerous telescopes will be set up for viewing throughout the campus. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

Nov. 19-23, St. George, Utah: Jubilee of Trees. This festival features an auction for one-of-a-kind Christmas trees, talent show, holiday fashion show, teddy bear picnic and a musical concert. A benefit for Children's Healthcare. (435) 251-2485. www.jubileeoftrees.org.

Nov. 25, 27, 28, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Thanksgiving Star Fest at Lowell Observatory. Indoor programs, and numerous telescopes are set up for viewing throughout the campus. (928) 774-3358. www.lowell.edu.

Nov. 27, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Santa's Grand Entrance and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy live entertainment, carolers and Santa Claus as Big Bear kicks off the holiday season. Village at Big Bear Lake. (909) 584-1066. www.bigbear.com.

Nov. 27-28, Parowan, Utah: Christmas in the Country. This event features a Santa parade, Christmas concerts, candlelight parade, home tours and a lighting ceremony. Iron County Fairgrounds. (435) 477-9022. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Nov. 28, Williams, Ariz.: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. The holiday season officially begins with this ceremony, plus a parade of lights, Dickens carolers, lighting contests and an outdoor skating rink. (928) 635-1418. www.williamsfestivals.com.

Dec. 2-5, St. George, Utah: Dickens Christmas Festival. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping at unique shops while being entertained by a cast drawn from the novels and actual acquaintances of Charles Dickens, such as Tiny Tim, Scrooge and Queen Victoria. Dixie Center. (877) 856-6366. www. dickenschristmasfestival.com.

Dec. 4-7, Cedar City, Utah: American Children's Christmas Festival. This event features a Storybook Cavalcade, Christmas Village, Santaland and Festival of Trees. Cedar City Heritage Center. (435) 865-5107. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Events for the Cerca Country Calendar may be sent to deborabus@aol.com.