1-4 SledFest 2004: This national level annual snowmobile festival will bring together snowmobile enthusiasts for four days of explorations and adventure. Venue locations will encompass the entire Lake Tahoe region, both on the Nevada and California side. The event will also include a consumer tradeshow at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Contact the RSCVA at 800 FOR-RENO (800-367-7366) or visit www.renotahoesledfest.com for more details.

25-July 18 The Nevada Museum of Art (NMA) Exhibit: The Nevada Museum of Art presents An Impressionist Eye: Painting and Sculpture from the Phillip and Janice Levin Foundation. The exhibit will present more than 25 works by some of the most well-know artists of the 19^th and 20^th centuries such as Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Mary Cassate, Pierre Bonnard, Pierre-Auguste Renior and Camille Corort. This personal collection features paintings, works on paper, and bronzes—some of which have not been exhibited in decades. Contact NMA at 775-329-3333 or at www.nevadaart.org for more details.

5-6 The Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour: World Sports & Marketing, producers of more than 250 televised competitions including the ESPN X Games Wakeboarding events, will add a splash of fun to the summer as they bring together the world’s best wake boarders for a two day nationally televised event. Contact the RSCVA at 800 FOR-RENO (800-367-7366) or visit www.renolaketahoe.com/about for details.

6 Americas Most Beautiful Bike Ride: This 12^th annual bicycle ride around Lake Tahoe has built a reputation for not only its spectacular scenery, but also its great food and support. The event includes a boat cruise, 40 mile fun ride and a 72-mile ride around the lake. The ride promotes Lake Tahoe Bikeway, the plan to build and interconnect bike lanes and trails around Lake Tahoe. Call 800-565-2704 or logon to www.bikethewest.com for more details.

25-27 Tour de Nez Classic Criterium: The 12^th annual Tour de Nez Class Criterium is part of USA Cycling’s national race series comprised of 33 events throughout the United States with participants earning points toward individual national ranking. The schedule includes a Masters level race and a Pro race with cyclists winding through the streets of Reno’s downtown river district on a 1.1 mile course. Additionally, the event features a race expo area and other festivities including live music. Contact 775-378-1286 or visit www.tourdenez.com for details.

26-July 2 Volleyball Festival: The Volleyball Festival is the world’s largest annual sporting event, just slightly smaller in number of participants than the summer Olympics. The tournament is expected to draw the following: 10,000 athletes ages 12-18; 1,400 club coaches; 200 college recruiters; 10,000 parents and spectators; and 450 paid staff. The tournament will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center with opening ceremonies scheduled for July 26 at Ma Mackay Stadium on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Call 281-207-1070 or visit www.volleyball-festival.com for details.

19 Silver Sage Adventure Race: Held in Reno, Nevada, the race is the opening event of the Big Blue Adventure Series, a series comprised of four multi-sport races in which teams and individuals compete in kayaking, mountain biking, trail running, orienteering, navigation, high ropes skills and other disciplines. Kicking off from Wingfield Park in the heart of Reno's revived river district, the Silver Sage features a unique "riverteering" experience through the Truckee River corridor and mountain biking on muscle-burning terrain sculpted with surprises around every corner – a true urban adventure "Reno-Tahoe style". Contact 510-644-1441or visit www.bigblueadventure.com for details.

1-31 Sunday Music Series: Plan on attending Carson City’s "Concerts in the Park" for live music and family fun. The concerts are held every Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. on the legislature lawn by the capital building. Contact 775-687-7410 or 1-800-NEVADA-1 for details or visit www.carson-cty.org.

4 Fourth of July: It wouldn’t be Independence Day without fireworks and Reno-Tahoe takes pyrotechnics to a whole other level. Catch firework shows at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno, during the Star Spangled Sparks event at John Auscaga’s Nugget in Sparks, Carson City’s Cavalcade of Spectaculars at Mills Park or at anyone of four Lake Tahoe locations including: Kings Beach, Tahoe City, Homewood and South Lake Tahoe. Contact 1-800-FOR-RENO or visit www.renolaketahoe.com/datebook.

4 Star Spangled Sparks: This event will celebrate the 227^th birthday of the United States with a day-long extravaganza that starts at Sparks Marina at 7:30 a.m. with numerous fun filled activities for the entire family. The celebration moves to Victorian Square at 7 p.m. with more events and a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9:30 p.m. Contact 775-353-2291 for details or visit

www.ci.sparks.nv.us/events.

8-11 Tahoe ARTour 2004: Throughout four days many local artists open the doors to studios in North Lake Tahoe, giving the public a rare glimpse at the process each artist takes to produce their pieces. Call 530-581-2787 or logon to www.northtahoeearts.com for more details.

12-18 Celebrity Golf Championship: Come watch more than 75 of your favorite athletes, movie stars and television stars as they vie for top honors in this annual tournament held at the Edgewood Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe. Call 800-468-2463 or logon to www.tahoecelebritygolf.com for more details.

16-18 Big Easy: It’s Mardi Gras with Nevadan Flare. Three days of merrymaking straight from the heart of New Orleans. Check out fabulous bands, Cajun food and beads for all at Victorian Square in Sparks. Contact 775-358-4771 or visit www.silverclub.com for more details.

17-18 35th Annual Reno Basque Festival: Celebrate Reno’s Basque heritage at this annual event featuring traditional food, dancing, a Basque mass and games for children and adults in addition to sporting competitions including soka tira (tug-of-war), wood chopping and weight lifting. Contact 775-784-4854 for details.

18-22 Nugget Amateur Challenge: The 5^th Annual John Ascuaga’s Nugget Amateur Challenge will take participants to some of the best courses in northern Nevada including D’Andrea, Lakeridge, Red Hawk and Thunder Canyon with finals at Coyote Moon Golf Course. The tournament is expected to draw more than 400 participants. Players are flighted within women’s, men’s, senior men’s and super senior men’s divisions. Contact John Ascuaga’s Nugget at 800-803-6918 or visit www.renoamateurchallenge.com.

24-25 Reno Celtic Celebration: Experience true tradition at a Celtic celebration with bagpipe bands, Irish and Highland dancing, Celtic crafters and much more. Contact 775-332-3336 for details.

5-12 Wooden Boat Week and Concours d’Elegance: Enjoy this week-long celebration of classic wooden boats. The event features the Concours d’ Elegance, a two- day competitive and educational event, as well as numerous social events offering participants and spectators an opportunity to get together to show off and enjoy their wooden boats. Call 530-581-1956 or logon to www.tahoeyc.com.

25-29 Nevada State Fair: Everything that makes the Silver State great is featured at this annual event. Visit the Reno Livestock Events Center for livestock exhibits and events, entertainment, rides, carnival games and more. Contact 775-688-5767 for details.

30 Labor Day Lake Tahoe: Celebrate Labor Day with a series of events at Stateline, South Shore Lake Tahoe including the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, a fireworks display and the Big ‘Ol Fishin’ Derby. Contact 1-800-AT-TAHOE for details.

11-12 Virginia City Camel Races: While not known for their speed, these desert troopers hit the racetrack as a nostalgic reminder of the Comstock Lode’s bonanza days. This family event features camel, ostrich and water buffalo races, specialty acts, daily parades and more. Contact 775-847-0311 or 775-329-7469 for details.

10-11 BULLNANZA: Reno serves as one of the sanctioned competition stops featured on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. The televised event features the best bull riders in the country competing for a prize winning purse and a chance at fame. Logon to www.pbrnow.com for details.

11 Tour de Tahoe Bike Big Blue: This annual bike ride includes a challenging 800 foot climb overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000 foot climb to Spooner Junction plus a boat cruise, 40 mile fun ride and a 72-mile ride around the lake. Call 800-565-2704 or logon to www.bikethewest.com for more details.

11 Tahoe Big Blue Adventure Race: This second annual multi-sport event invites teams and individuals to compete in kayaking, mountain biking, trail running, orienteering, navigation and high ropes skill disciplines along the beautiful shores of north Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Big Blue is a challenging yet relaxing adventure experience - an event that both participants and their families and friends will want to mark on their calendars for years to come. The event starts out at 6200’ and heads up to 9000’ mastering steep terrain and unmatched views of the lake. Contact 510-644-1441or visit www.bigblueadventure.com for details.

22-26 Street Vibrations: Get your motor running with three days of motorcycle tours, live concerts and entertainment, ride-in shows, a parade, poker run and numerous vendors. An official event of the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association of Northern California, Street Vibrations is Hog heaven! Contact 775-329-7469 or

25-26 Nissan XTERRA USA Championship: The Nissan XTERRA USA Championship is the culmination of a series of nearly 40 qualifying events across the US that award points to the top athletes in XTERRA's eight regions. The best of the best are invited to compete in swimming, mountain biking and a trail run at Lake Tahoe and battle for the title of XTERRA National Champion and a share of the $80,000 prize purse. In addition to the race, spectators can pick up tips from the pros and enjoy the XTERRA Expo with food, climbing walls and product displays. Call 877-751-8880 or logon to www.xterraplanet.com for more details.

26-30 Nevada Day Celebration: Enjoy five days of events to celebrate Nevada’s birthday including the largest parade in the state, the Nevada Day Parade on Saturday, October 30. Contact the Nevada Day Office at 775-882-2600 or 1-800-683-2948 for more details.

TBA Lake Tahoe Food and Wine in the Pines: Nothing is better than four days of great food and wine in beautiful Stateline, South Lake Tahoe. This event features food and wine tasting, celebrity chefs, special dinners and more. Contact 775-783-8144 for more details.

4 Sparks Hometowne Christmas: This annual celebration showcases a colorful holiday parade, family entertainment, photos with Santa, arts and crafts and a spectacular tree lighting ceremony. It is a true Nevada tradition to warm the winter. Contact 775-353-2291 for details or visit www.ci.sparks.nv.us/events.

TBD Victorian Home Christmas Tour: Experience the magic of Christmas on a tour of Victorian homes decorated for the holidays along the Kit Carson Trail. The tour is open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. and is presented by the Nevada Landmark Society. Contact 775-882-1805 for details.