Summerlin schedules events, half-marathon for 2011 calendar

The master-planned community of Summerlin is kicking off 2011 with a full calendar of special events.

This includes the inaugural Summerlin Half Marathon April 9, followed by the 10th annual Tour de Summerlin April 23, the inaugural Summerlin Kids' Mix May 7 and the 17th annual Summerlin Art Festival Sept. 24 and 25. All events are open to the public. Summerlin residents are encouraged to bring friends and family to the events.

The inaugural Summerlin Half Marathon April 9 will follow a 13-mile course throughout the community, starting and ending at The Vistas Community Park, 11311 Alta Drive.

"Summerlin serves as the training ground for hundreds of valley marathon runners so it makes sense to host a run in the community," said Kevin Orrock, president of Summerlin.

To participate in the half marathon, register before April 8 at desertskyadventures.com/summerlin. Registration fee is $65.

Hundreds of cyclists will be riding along the streets of Summerlin and neighboring Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area at the 10th annual Tour de Summerlin event on April 23. The noncompetitive ride, coordinated by McGhie's Ski Bike and Board, is a tradition for many cycling enthusiasts throughout the valley. The event features three distances, including a 10-, 35- and 80-mile ride. Register to participate in Tour de Summerlin at tourdesummerlin.com. Registration fees range from $35 to $55, depending on the length of the ride.

Summerlin Kids' Mix is a family-friendly, outdoor festival featuring a variety of children's games and activities and live music. The event is May 7 at Summerlin Centre Community Park, 1800 S. Town Center Drive. There is no cost to attend this event. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Summerlin Art Festival is an outdoor festival that transforms the park into the city's largest outdoor gallery for a weekend. The weekend-long festival will be Sept. 24 and 25 at Summerlin Centre Community Park, 1800 S. Town Center Drive. More than 100 artists will be onsite selling unique, handmade products and dozens of chalk artists will be painting the sidewalks. There is no cost to attend this event. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

"This is one of our most colorful events," Orrock said.

Summerlin Kids' Mix and Summerlin Art Festival and events sponsored by Summerlin in partnership with CBS Radio.

For more information on Summerlin's upcoming events, visit the events section of Summerlin.com or become a fan of the community on Facebook.

Developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., Summerlin celebrated its 20th anniversary with a year-long celebration that commenced in May.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres with 7,500 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan.

The community is currently home to nearly 100,000 residents with amenities that include more than 150 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, 26 public and private schools, 14 houses of worship, nine golf courses, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks and more than three dozen selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $1 million. Custom-home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s. Luxury apartment homes offer monthly rents starting from the $800s.