Cerca Calendar

Spring has sprung on Cerca Country, and events are blossoming like so many wildflowers. Pick one of these, or a whole bouquet.

Tuesday, Sparks: Banff Mountain Film Festival/Truckee Meadows Tour. This event includes short works about mountaineering, skiing, kayaking and other adventures. John Ascuaga's Nugget. (775) 851-5180, www.nvlc.org.

Friday, Eureka: Twelfth Night. The Utah Shakespearean Festival performs the classic comedy at the Eureka Opera House. (775) 237-6006. www.co.eureka.nv.us.

Friday-Saturday, Lytle Preserve, Utah: Join a geologist, botanist and birder for two-day nature workshop during peak spring migratory bird season. Includes camping onsite; participants need to bring all their own food and supplies. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

April 5, 7 and 9, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Spring Break Star Fest offers children's programs and numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the Lowell Observatory campus. Saturn will be the featured object to view. (928) 233-3210, www.lowell.edu.

April 10-11, St. George, Utah: St. George Art Festival in Town Square. Works in metal, glass, wood, all media. (800) 869-6635, www.sgcity.org/artfestival.

April 10-11, Cedar City, Utah: Thunderbird Film Festival features family-friendly independent films by students and professionals. Film screenings, seminars, award ceremony and aerial tours of Southwest movie locations. Southern Utah University. (435) 586-7861, www. thunderbirdfilmfestival.suu.edu.

April 11-12, Brian Head, Utah: Spring Carnival and Easter Celebration. Fun for the entire family with a rail jam, pond skimming, face painting and Easter egg hunt. Brian Head Resort. (435) 677-2035, www. scenicsouthernutah.com.

April 11, Zion National Park, Utah: Geology of Zion workshop will focus on continuing geologic processes. Enjoy short hikes and trailside lectures, learning how the power of water has shaped this majestic park. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

April 12, Clarkdale, Ariz.: Easter Bunny Express hops down the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad, with the boss bunny himself posing for photos. (800) 293-7245, www.verdecanyonrr.com.

April 13, Sedona, Ariz.: Twentieth Century Navajo Weaving Revivals. Jennifer McLerran, curator of the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, gives a presentation on how Navajo weavers are returning to using natural dyes and churro wool. Church of the Red Rocks. (928) 774-5213. www.musnaz.org.

April 16-17, Zion National Park, Utah: Zion Through The Lens. Learn about the park and photography from a professional photographer and former field archaeologist with extensive knowledge of the area. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

April 18, Zion National Park, Utah: Earth Day Festival offers hikes, games, and workshops. Various venues. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

April 22-26, Laughlin: Laughlin River Run. More than 50,000 bikers descend on this Colorado River town for entertainment, poker runs, competitions and to visit the booths of thousands of vendors set up throughout the area. (800) 357-8223, www.laughlinriverrun. com.

April 23-25, Reno: Reno Jazz Festival. Event features more than 300 performances and clinics with 40 jazz artists from around the nation and close to 300 students from around the West. UNR Campus. (775) 784-4046, www.visitreno.com.

April 25, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Arbor Day at the Arboretum. This celebration of trees includes a general tour of the gardens, live birds of prey program, snake displays and a mass tree planting. (928) 774-1442, www.thearb.org.

April 25, Walker Lake: Walker Lake Education Day, formerly known as Walker Lake Loon Festival. Take a free boat or barge ride to view loons who pause here on their migration north. Exhibitions and demonstrations. (775) 945-5896, www. mineralcountychamber.com.

April 25-26, Ivins, Utah: Cactus Hugger Cycling Festival. Three days of road cycling events including a century, 42- and 65-mile distance rides, a ride to Zion National Park, children's safety events and health expo. (435) 229-1404, www.cactushugger.org.

May 1-2, Sparks and Reno: Cinco de Mayo festival showcases Latino culture and features musicians, comedians, an auto show, beauty pageant, sporting events and a food festival. Victorian Square in Sparks and various Reno venues. (775) 826-1818, www.nhsreno.org.

May 2, Lone Pine, Calif.: Wild Wild West Marathon. This trail race travels through the Alabama Hills and into the foothills of Mount Whitney. Besides the marathon itself, there are a 50K race, a 15-mile, a 10-mile and a three-mile fun run. Pre-registration required. (760) 876-4444, www. lonepinechamber.com.

May 2, Zion National Park, Utah: Saturday Bird Watching. This all-day adventure, led by an expert birder, will take you to places where you can easily view a variety of bird species. Reservations recommended. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

Contact Deborah Wall at deborabus@aol.com.