Cerca country September attractions

From Burning Man to barbecues, Cerca country offers plenty of hot attractions during September.

Monday through Sept. 5, Black Rock City: Burning Man. This annual event is partly an art festival and partly an experiment in temporary community, all dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance. This year's art theme is "Rites of Passage." www.burningman.com.

Thursday-Sept. 5, Parowan, Utah: Iron County Fair. Events at Utah's "Biggest Little Fair" include 5k Fun Run and Walk, Miss Iron County Pageant, eating contests, Tour de Gap Bike Race, carnival, car show and parade. (435) 477-8380. www.ironcountyfair.net.

Friday-Sept. 4, Mesquite: Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ. This barbecue competition features the Mesquite BBQ Championship and the Backyard BBQ Cook-off. Teams from around the nation will be competing for $40,000 in cash and prizes at CasaBlanca. (702) 346-7539. www.mesquite bbqchampionship.com.

Friday-Sept. 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 62nd annual Coconino County Fair. This fair features traditional events, cultural presentations, entertainment, demolition derby, carnival and petting zoo. Fort Tuthill County Fairgrounds. (928) 679-8000. www.coconino.az.gov/parks.aspx.

Friday-Sept. 5, Pioche: Annual Labor Day Celebration. The town's largest event of the year features mining events, 10k Fun Run, fishing derby, chili cook-off and electric light parade and children's events. (775) 962-5544. www.piochenevada.com.

Sept. 9-11, Reno: Great Reno Balloon Race. Watch some of the nation's top balloonists compete in events such as the Bed Head competition, Glow Shows and Dawn Patrol. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. (775) 826-1181. www.renoballoon.com.

Sept. 9-11, Virginia City: Virginia City International Camel Races. The camel races are just one part of this extraordinary two-day event, which also includes ostrich and emu races, specialty acts and a daily parade. Silverland Camel Arena. (775) 847-4386. www.virginiacity-nv.org.

Sept. 9-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.

Sept. 10, Lake Tahoe: Kids and Horses BBQ. This fundraising event features a Western barbecue and a silent and live auction. Proceeds fund scholarships for students in need, so they can attend the nonprofit Kids and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center program. Crystal Bay Club. (775) 267-1775. www.kidsandhorse.org.

Sept. 10, 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.

Sept. 11, Lake Tahoe: Tour De Tahoe-Bike Big Blue. This annual bike ride consists of an 800-foot climb to an overlook of Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. Other events include a boat cruise, 35-mile fun ride and a 72-mile ride around the lake. (800) 565-2704. www.bikethewest.com.

Sept. 21-25, Reno and Sparks: Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival. This event takes place in various venues and features motorcycle tours, concerts, ride-in shows, parade, poker run and plenty of entertainment. www.road-shows.com. (775) 329-7469.

Sept. 22-25, Laughlin: Roddin' on the River. This annual event is sponsored by the River Cruizers' Car Club and features street rods, muscle cars, trucks, classic and specialty vehicles. Riverside Resort. (928) 505-8457. www.visitlaughlin.com.

Sept. 23-24, Panaca: Las Vegas Astronomical Society Fall Star Party and Campout. Join astronomical society members for astronomy presentations and viewing of the night sky. Cathedral Gorge State Park. (702) 728-4460. www.parks.nv.gov.

Sept. 23-24, Escalante, Utah: Escalante Canyons Working Art Festival. This annual event includes a Plein Air painting competition, fine arts and craft exhibition, lectures, exhibits, walking tours and cowboy poetry. www.everettruessdays.org.

Sept. 24, Various Locations: Annual National Public Lands Day. The nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort needs your help to improve and enhance America's public lands. Jobs range from building trails and bridges to planting trees and general clean-up. www.publiclandsday.org.

Sept. 24-25, Genoa: Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Faire. Now in its 91st year, this festival brings in tens of thousands of visitors to this small town of fewer than 300 people. Shop the more than 300 arts and craft vendors, enjoy live entertainment and plenty of food. (775) 782-8696. www.genoanv.com.

Sept. 24-25, Kingman, Ariz.: 27th annual Andy Devine Days and PRCA Rodeo. Celebrate Kingman's hometown hero with a parade on Saturday and the rodeo on both Saturday and Sunday at the Mohave County Fairgrounds. (928) 757-7919. www.kingmantourism.org, www.kingmanrodeo.com.

Sept. 25 through Oct. 1, U.S. Highway 50: 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.

Sept. 28, Zion National Park, Utah: Wednesday Naturalist Walk. This workshop will be led by zoologist/ecologist Dr. Allen Brown and will include low-level to moderate walking while learning about the park's fauna, geology and botany. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959. www.zionpark.org.

Sept. 29 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.