CERCA CALENDAR

Fall brings a touch of color to the trees around Cerca country. You’ll never want to leave.

Through Saturday, U.S. Highway 50: One Awesome Tour Bike Ride Across Nevada. This fully supported tour travels 420 miles over five days from Lake Tahoe to Great Basin National Park along “America’s Loneliest Road,” (530) 957-0051, www.bikethewest.com.

Through Oct. 22, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespeare Festival. The fall season features “Noises Off!,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “Dial M for Murder,” matinees and evening performances, Tuesdays through Saturdays, (800) 752-9849, www.bard.org.

Through Oct. 29, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: 41st annual Oktoberfest. Sing Bavarian songs, dance, drink beer and feast on authentic German food, Saturdays and Sundays, Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, (909) 585-3000, www.bigbearevents.com.

Wednesday, Zion National Park, Utah: Naturalist Walk. Zoologist/ecologist Dr. Allen Brown will lead participants on a low-level to moderately strenuous walk to learn about the park’s fauna and geology; reservations needed; Zion Canyon Field Institute; (800) 635-3959; www.zionpark.org.

Thursday through Oct. 2, Pahrump: Pahrump Fair and Festival. This annual family event includes a parade, rodeo, food, vendors, carnival, exhibits and entertainment, Petrack Park and Bob Ruud Community Center, (775) 234-8822, www.pahrumpfairandfestival.com.

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

Saturday and Oct. 2, Reno: 21st annual Reno Celtic Celebration. This event features bagpipe bands, Irish and Highland dancing, Celtic crafters and athletic competitions, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, www.renoceltic.org.

Saturday, Virginia City: World Championship Outhouse Races. This race has to be seen to be believed, as team members push, pull or drag their outhouses across the finish line, (775) 847-4386, www.virginiacity-nv.org.

Oct. 5, Zion National Park, Utah: Naturalist Walk. Zoologist/ecologist Dr. Allen Brown will lead participants on a low-level to moderately strenuous walk to learn about the geology, human history and botany of the park; reservations needed; Zion Canyon Field Institute; (800) 635-3959; www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 7-9, Lone Pine, Calif.: Lone Pine Film Festival. The festival, in its 22nd year, features film screenings, celebrity panels, a parade, an arts and crafts fair and tours to various movie sets, www.lonepinefilmfestival.org, (760) 876-9103.

Oct. 7-9, Yermo, Calif.: Calico Days. This three-day event pays tribute to the town’s origins in 1881, with an American Indian village and gunfight exhibitions throughout the weekend, (760) 254-2122, www.calicotown.com.

Oct. 8-9, Reno: Great Italian Festival. Celebrate Italian heritage with grape-stomping, spaghetti-eating contests, Italian food and gelato, arts and crafts, bocce tournament, farmers market and live entertainment; Eldorado Hotel; (775) 786-5700; www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Oct. 8-10, Death Valley, Calif.: Furnace Creek 508. This is one of the world’s premiere ultramarathon bicycle races. The nonstop, 508-mile race with more than 35,000 feet of elevation gain runs from Santa Clarita to Twentynine Palms via California’s Death Valley and Mojave Desert, www.the508.com.

Oct. 14, 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. 15, Cedar City, Utah: Annual Pumpkin Festival, presented by the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Pumpkin carving and painting, leaf corral and other fall activities, Randall Jones Theater grounds, (435) 865-2940, www. scenicsouthernutah.com.

Oct. 15, Fallon: Dune Riders International Sand Mountain Open. Slalom, big air and drags, exhibitions; all are welcome to participate; (541) 997-6006. www.sandboard.com.

Oct. 17-18, Zion National Park, Utah: Archaeology Workshop. Work outdoors while taking part in fieldwork at archaeologically significant areas of Zion; learn about the prehistoric and historic settlements of Zion from the Basketmakers to the Mormon pioneers; moderate to strenuous hiking required; reservations needed; Zion Canyon Field Institute; (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

Oct. 21-29, Sedona, Ariz.: Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival. Enjoy the work of some 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. 22, Carson City: Ghost Walk. Take a walking tour of historic Carson City along the Kit Carson Trail and meet spirits of the past; tours leave every half hour starting at 10 a.m. and run to 2 p.m; (775) 687-7410; www.visitcarsoncity.com.

Oct. 28-30, Beatty: Beatty Days. Celebrate the history of Beatty with three days of events, including a chili cook-off, Dutch oven cook-off, Old West shootouts, parade, bed races, antique car show and a 5k run and 2k walk, music and entertainment; (775) 553-2424; www.beattynevada.org.

Oct. 28-30, Cedar City, Utah: Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival. The festival features a “novice-to-professional” 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. 29, Carson City: Nevada Day Parade. The largest parade in Nevada travels down Carson Street, the longest-beard contest takes place on the Capitol steps, and a rock-drilling competition will take place at the Nugget’s parking area; (775) 882-2600; www.visitcarsoncity.com.

Oct. 29-30, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Eighth annual Celebraciones de la Gente. A lively celebration of the 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. 30-Nov. 1, Zion National Park, Utah: Fall Foliage Photography. This workshop is meant for the serious photographer who wants to further his or her techniques; indoor lectures and fieldwork; reservations needed; Zion Canyon Field Institute; (800) 635-3959; www.zionpark.org.