CERCA CALENDAR

In the 10th month of the year, Nevada finally gets its weather right! No better time than October to enjoy a festival or frolic in Cerca Country. See if one of these appeals to you.

Through Oct. 17, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespearean Festival. The fall season features "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Woman in Black" and "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)." Matinee and evening performances, dark Monday. (800) 752-9849, www.bard.org.

Saturday, St. George, Utah: The St. George Marathon, one of the largest in the United States, begins in Pine Valley and descends nearly 2,600 feet into St. George. (435) 627-4500, www.stgeorgemarathon.com.

Saturday, Virginia City: World Championship Outhouse Races. This kooky race has to be seen to be believed, as outhouse team members push, pull or drag their "necessaries" across the finish line. (800) 718-7587, www.virginiacity-nv.org.

Saturday-Oct. 4, Reno: Reno Celtic Celebration features bagpipe bands, Irish and highland dancing, Celtic crafters and athletic competitions. (775) 233-9954. www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Saturday-Oct. 5, Death Valley, Calif.: Furnace Creek 508. One of the world's premiere ultramarathon bicycle races travels 508 miles, nonstop, from Santa Clarita to Twentynine Palms via California's Death Valley and Mojave Desert. www.the508.com.

Oct. 5, Zion National Park, Utah: The Illustrated Journal. This workshop will help participants create a journal to record outdoor experiences. Tools, materials and methods will be discussed. No previous writing or drawing experience is necessary. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 9-11, Lone Pine, Calif.: Lone Pine Film Festival. The annual event features film screenings, celebrity panels, parade, arts-and-crafts fair and eight different tours to various movie sets. The weekend also includes the grand opening of the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History. (866) 469-6345, www. lonepinefilmfestival.org.

Oct. 10, New Harmony, Utah: Apple Festival. This family-friendly event includes vendors, food, a climbing wall, games and freshly picked apples for sale. In Fire Department Park. (435) 867-4231. www. scenicsouthernutah.com.

Oct. 10, Fallon: Dune Riders International Sand Mountain Open. Slalom, big air, drags, exhibitions. All comers may participate. (760) 373-8861, www.sandboard.com.

Oct. 10-11, Reno: Great Italian Festival. Celebrate Italian heritage with grape-stomping, spaghetti eating contests, Italian food and gelato. Also arts and crafts, bocce ball tournament, farmers market and live entertainment. Eldorado Hotel. (800) 879-8879. www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Oct. 9-11, Yermo, Calif.: Calico Days. This three-day event pays tribute to the town's origins in 1881. American Indian village and gunfight exhibitions throughout the weekend. Wild West parade. (760) 254-2122, www.calicotown.com.

Oct. 11, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Autumn Star Fest. Celebrate the night skies of autumn with numerous telescopes set up for viewing around the Lowell Observatory campus. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

Oct. 16, Zion National Park, Utah: Rim to Floor. Learn about the park's geology, botany and biology as you hike 10 miles from the East Rim of the park down to Zion Canyon. This is a strenuous hike and participants must be fit. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 22, Laughlin: Chefs' Food Fest. Now in its 22nd year, this festival features the best cuisine available from top chefs along the Colorado River. (702) 298-2214, www.visitlaughlin.com.

Oct. 24-Nov. 1, Sedona, Ariz.: Sedona Plein Air Festival. Enjoy the work of 30 of the finest plein air painters from around the country as they create works of art in the outdoors throughout Sedona. (928) 282-3809, www. sedonapleinairfestival.com.

Oct. 20, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Learn about the upcoming Orionid Meteor Shower (Oct. 21-22) in a program at Lowell Observatory, then view other celestial objects by telescope. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

Oct. 19-20, Zion National Park, Utah: Archaeology workshop. Take part in fieldwork at archaeologically significant areas of Zion. Learn about the prehistoric and historic settlements of Zion from the Basket Makers to the Mormon pioneers. Moderate-to-strenuous hiking required. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 23-24, Cedar City, Utah: Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival. The festival features a Dutch oven cook-off, stock dog competition and a parade including hundreds of sheep on historic Main Street. Cross Hollow Events Center. (435) 586-8132. www. scenicsouthernutah.com.

Oct. 24-25, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Celebraciones de la Gente. A lively celebration of Day of the Dead, an ancient Meso-American holiday. Musical and theatrical performances, storytelling and artists from throughout Arizona. Museum of Northern Arizona, (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.

Oct. 24, Carson City: Carson City Ghost Walk. Guided walking tour of the historic district, encountering spirits of the past along the way. Tours depart every 30 minutes 9 a.m. -3 p.m. (775) 687-7410, www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Oct. 24, Cedar City, Utah: Great Pumpkin Festival. Pumpkin carving and painting, leaf corral and other fall activities. Presented by the Utah Shakespearean Festival at Randall Jones Theater grounds. (435) 865-2940. www. scenicsouthernutah.com.

Oct. 25-27, Zion National Park, Utah: Fall Foliage Photography. This three-day workshop is taught by Michael Plyler, director of Zion Canyon Field Institute and a professional photographer. It is aimed at serious photo enthusiasts who wish to further their techniques. There will be slide shows and indoor lectures yet the majority of the time will be spent outdoors in different habitats. Reservations necessary. (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 31, Valley of Fire State Park: Halloween Jubilee. Wear your favorite costume and join the search for Captain Clark's buried treasure. Arts and crafts, snacks and refreshments. (775) 397-2088. www.parks.nv.gov.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Beatty: Beatty Days. Celebrate the small town's colorful history with events including an ICS-sanctioned regional chili cook-off, Dutch oven cook-off, gunfight reenactments, parade, wagon races, wheelbarrow races and antique car show. Music and entertainment. (775) 553-2424. www.beattynevada.org.

Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Carson City: Nevada Day Celebration. Honor the anniversary of Nevada's statehood with a best-beard contest, food, music and the Nevada Day Parade, largest in the state. (800) 638-2321. www.visitrenotahoe.com.