Cerca calendar, June 2012

From pirates to frontiersmen, June is full of festivals in Cerca country.

Today and Monday, Tonopah: 42nd annual Jim Butler Days. The town's largest event features a parade, mining competitions, children's activities, food and entertainment. (775) 482-2558. www.tonopahnevada.com.

Saturday, Lake Tahoe: National Trails Day. This is a celebration of South Shore trails. There will be trail building and family activities. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Van Sickle CA/NV Bi-State Park in Stateline. (775) 298-0012. www.tahoerimtrail.org.

Saturday and June 3, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Pirate Faire. Search for buried treasure, sail on a pirate ship and watch entertainment such as pirate battles and court re-enactments. The Faire takes place in Fawnskin, which will be transformed into a 17th century buccaneer village. Grog and vittles. (909) 237-0448. www.bigbear.com.

June 3, Lake Tahoe: 21st annual America's Most Beautiful Bike Race. This event features a 35-mile Fun Ride, 72-mile ride around the lake and a full 100-mile century. (800) 565-2704. www.bikethewest.com.

June 7, Zion National Park, Utah: Thursday Trek. Explore the park with a naturalist and learn about the animals and plants that call Zion home as well as the geological activity that formed Zion. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org/

June 7-10, Gardnerville: Carson Valley Days. This valley favorite is in its 102nd year and includes tractor pulls, tug-of-war competitions, arm wrestling, a carnival, parade, live music and food. Lampe Park. www.carsonvalley2030.org.

June 8-10, Carson City: Carson City Rendezvous. This living history weekend features the Pony Express, a mountain man encampment, Civil War volunteers with skirmishes, the Nevada Gunfighters and Native American dancing and crafts. Food court, children's activities and entertainment are also featured. (775) 687-7410. www.visitrenotahoe.com.

June 14-23, Reno: Reno Rodeo. This is called the "Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West," where participants come from around the world. There will also be a parade, carnival and plenty of children's activities. (800) 325-7328. www.renorodeo.com.

June 15-16, Austin: Gridley Days. This event features a flour sack race, auction, parade, entertainment, street dance and town barbecue. (775) 964-2200. www.austinnevada.com.

June 16 and June 30, Zion National Park, Utah: Zion Narrows Service Project. Join a naturalist to discover the world famous Zion Narrows. This 7-mile hike will include discussing the geology, plants and wildlife of the area and a short service project while in the canyon. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

June 16, Kingman, Ariz.: Kingman Family Fun Day. Kingman's Wild West Society presents Western re-enactments and shootouts with live music in between performances. Vendors, food and art displays. Locomotive Park. (951) 203-1479. www.kingmantourism.org.

June 19-24, Cedar City, Utah: 10th annual Groovefest American Music Festival. This event features music, workshops and seminars. Art, food and vendors. Cedar City Main Street Park. (435) 867-9800. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

June 21 through Sept. 1, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespeare Festival. This season's plays include "Les Miserables," "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Titus Andronicus," "Mary Stuart," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Scapin." Matinees and evening performances. Dark Sundays. (800) 752-9849. www.bard.org.

June 23, Parowan, Utah: Summer Soltice. Enjoy a presentation of the ancient Native American solar calendar and observation of the summer solstice sunset. Parowan Gap Petroglyph Site. (435) 463-3735. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

June 28-July 4, Prescott, Ariz.: 125th annual Prescott Frontier Days, World's Oldest Rodeo. This year's theme is Spirit of the Frontiersman. Prescott's biggest event of the year includes rodeo performances, trail rides, parade, fireworks, fine arts and crafts fair, dances and live entertainment. (928) 445-3103. www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.

July 1-31, Reno: Artown. This art festival features more than 400 events. Artists from around the world will showcase their talents in the visual, performing and humanities arts. Various venues (775) 322-1538. www.renoisartown.com.