CERCA CALENDAR

High summer brings high times to Cerca Country. Whether your tastes run to Native American art or rodeo, motor sports or wildflowers, there's probably something for you in this calendar.

Monday through July 5, Prescott, Ariz.: Prescott Frontier Days, World's Oldest Rodeo. Prescott's largest annual event, now in 122nd year, features rodeo performances, parade, fireworks, fine arts and crafts fair, 10K and two-mile fun run, live entertainment. (866) 406-6336, www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.

Wednesday through Aug. 1, Reno: Artown. This month-long art festival features more than 400 events at close to 100 venues. Artists from around the world will showcase talents in the visual and performing arts and humanities. (775) 322-1538, www.renoisartown.com.

Wednesday through July 5, Reno: Great International Chicken Wing Society Cook-Off. Restaurants and bar staffs from around the world compete in the annual event. Visitors can purchase sampler plates from any participating restaurant. (775) 358-8376, www.visitreno.com.

Wednesday through July 20, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival. On ranger-led hikes, visitors learn about wildflowers and how to identify them. Look for spectacular displays of lupine, larkspur, penstemon and other color in the sweeping meadows and along the rim. Geology talks, porch talks and evening campground programs. (435) 586-9451, www.nps.gov/cebr.

Wednesday through July 5, Elko: National Basque Festival features traditional dance, music, food and games such as handball, weightlifting and wood chopping. Elko Basque Club and other venues. (800) 428-7143, www.elkobasque.com.

Wednesday through July 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture. Hopis sell their wares at more than 55 booths and show skilled techniques in a variety of media. Storytelling, music, dancing and American Indian food. Museum of Northern Arizona, (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.

Saturday, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Fireworks Show. Largest Fourth of July fireworks display in Southern California can be viewed from anywhere on or along the lake and from most of town. The fireworks will be set off from a barge on Big Bear Lake. (909) 866-4607, www.bigbear.com.

Saturday, Laughlin: Rockets Over The River. A spectacular 20-minute fireworks display launched over the Colorado River and choreographed to music. (702) 298-2214, www.laughlinchamber.com.

Saturday and July 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Independence Day Festival. Through living history demonstrations, visitors will learn about traditional skills including blacksmithing, woodworking, spinning and weaving. Pioneer Museum. (928) 774-6272, www. arizonahistoricalsociety.org.

July 8, 15 and 22, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival Tour. Participants will learn about geology, botany and other natural history in the park and nearby Brian Head. Meet in Cedar City; transportation will be provided to the park and Brian Head. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

July 9, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Wildflower Photography. Join photographer Michael Plyler for a day learning the best ways to photograph the park's stunning displays. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

July 11-Aug. 2, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Old Miners' Days. Events include a chili cook-off, Miss Clementine Pageant and Old West Fashion Show, Loggers' Jubilee, children's games and many parades. (909) 866-4607, www.oldminers.org.

July 11-Aug. 23, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. The 37th season of the festival presents the deliciously scandalous "Measure for Measure," the perennial favorite "Much Ado About Nothing," along with the premiere of the Urban Village Monday Night Music Series, featuring rotating artists. Sand Harbor State Park. (800) 747-4697, www.LakeTahoeShakespeare .com.

July 13-Aug. 15, Cedar City, Utah: Neil Simon Festival. This summer's plays are "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," "Harvey" and "Biloxi Blues." Tuesday through Saturday matinee and evening performances. Cedar City Heritage Theater. (866) 357-4666, www.simonfest.org.

July 16-18, Boulder, Utah: Boulder Heritage Festival, a celebration of the community's arts, crafts, music and history. Takes place at the Utah State Anasazi Museum and Park where the first known inhabitants of the area lived. (435) 335-7422, www.boulderutah.com.

July 18, Bryce Canyon, Utah: Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run. The marathon travels from Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon to National Scenic Byway 12. It then travels through Tropic and ends in Cannonville. The 5K starts and finishes in Cannonville. (800) 468-8600. www.rubysinn.com.

July 31-Aug. 2, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Navajo Festival of Art and Culture. Learn about the Dine Culture including complex 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.

July 31-Aug. 9, Reno and Sparks: Hot August Nights. Relive the '50's and '60's, when cars and rock 'n' roll ruled. Some 5,500 cars from 36 states are registered. Controlled cruises, show 'n' shines, live entertainment and food. (775) 356-1956, www.hotaugustnights.net.