Reno-Tahoe

Ghosts in Northern Nevada aren’t of the ghoulish campfire variety. Here, they tell stories of the past … of the colorful characters of the Comstock-era, when silver was king and Virginia City was the cultural center of the Western expansion, or when getting a divorce required establishing residency in Reno during an extended stay.

Whether it’s Lake Tahoe’s smoky showrooms that hosted characters like Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra during the golden age of casinos, or the pioneer families of rural settlements like Genoa, the apparitions that appear to some today are a reminder of connection between history and place.

Believers and non-believers alike can fill their Sierra travel docket with offbeat experiences, chasing the ghosts of Northern Nevada … they just have to know where to look. Here are some highlights:

Virginia City

Once a western metropolis, Virginia City is a history lover’s paradise, and spooky sites abound. Check out The Silver Terrace Cemeteries with its Victorian-era plots; Piper’s Opera House, one of the most significant vintage theaters in America is also a center for the supernatural – the ghost of John Piper himself is said to appear in the building.

Lake Tahoe

The “Jewel of the Sierra” is more than just a pretty place. Visit Thunderbird Lodge, the 1938 estate built by socialite George Whittell, where several ghosts are rumored to be roaming the grounds. At the Cal Neva Resort, fans of Hollywood’s heyday will be delighted to know the ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Sammy Davis Jr. are still around.

Reno

Before Reno became the birthplace of the gaming and the quickie divorce, it was a pioneer settlement during the westward expansion. The Hillside Cemetery is the resting place for the many of the region’s first settlers, while Morrill Hall at the University of Nevada, is rumored to be home to frequent paranormal activity and haunted by a woman dressed in 1920s attire.

Carson City

Nevada’s capital is home to some of the state’s best museums and of course its halls of government, but the real thrill may come for visitors at sites like the Brewery Arts Center, where a ghost believed to be that of community leader James P. Maar greets visitors. During the annual Kit Carson Trail ghost walk (Oct. 24) visitors can encounter Carson City’s ghosts and historical figures played by actors in period costume.

View the complete Ghost Trail guide online.

It may be fall, but the fun isn’t slowing down in Reno Tahoe. Among the highlights for today and tomorrow are The Chieftans, the International Outhouses Races in Virginia City and the Reno Celtic Celebration.

October 2

• Nevada Opera Bizet’s Carmen
  Bizet’s final masterpiece set in 1830’s Seville, Spain, Carmen is a tragic tale of obsessive passion and jealousy. Loved by the unpredictable gypsy heroine, a young officer must choose between following his military career or following Carmen. Read More

• The Chieftains
  The legendary Chieftains have served as the benchmark for Irish traditional music for the past four decades. The six-time Grammy winners, credited for bringing traditional Irish music to the world’s attention, uncover the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. Read More

• Nevada Repertory Company presents Ubu the King
  Nevada Repertory Company presents “Ubu the King”* by Alfred Jarry and directed by Rob Gander. One of the most extraordinary events of the late 19th century in Paris happened Dec. 11, 1895, at the Theatre de l’Oeuvre where the audience was scandalized by Alfred Jarry’s revolutionary satire, Ubu Roi. Read More

• Argenta presents Circa 1809
  Join university music faculty members Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio, violin; and James Winn, piano, as they welcome their new cellist and music faculty member, Dmitri Atapine, to Argenta. As a winner of the Carlos Prieto and Llanes International Cello Competition (Mexico), Mr. Atapine has since been recognized as an exciting cellist and accomplished chamber musician. Read More

October 2-3

• Super Diamond
  Since 1993, Super Diamond has made it their mission to spread the “good word of Neil” to all, bridging the gap between young and old, rich and poor, great and small. They recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. Read More

October 3

• International Outhouse Races
  Take an adventure back in time during historic Virginia City’s World Championship Outhouse Races. This hilarious Comstock tradition pits teams of costumed outhouse racers against each oth­er as one person rides and the remaining team members manage to push, pull or drag the outhouse quickly down the track. The always-outrageous outhouse parade on Saturday features Virginia City’s famous “Plungerettes.” Read More

October 3-4

• Reno Celtic Celebration
  Pipe Bands, Celtic Musicians, Highland Games, Scottish and Irish Dancers, Celtic Vendors and More … Make plans to join the 19th Annual Celebration. Read More

For complete Reno Tahoe entertainment listings, visit our calendar online.

The past is alive in historic Virginia City. The preserved western frontier town was once the center of commerce and culture during the gold and silver booms of the late 1800s. The old buildings, wooden boardwalk, museums, steam train and shops bring that history to life for families seeking a taste of the Wild West. Watch the Video:

Burning Man has once again taken over the Black Rock Desert north of Reno. The annual countercultural celebration of art, music and free expression attracts nearly 50,000 attendees from all over the world. Here are some photos from the 2009 celebration (theme: evolution). For more information check out Burning Man online.


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The Great Reno Balloon Race returns for its 28th year Sept. 11, 12 and 13 to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in northwest Reno, showcasing more than 100 hot-air balloons from all over the world. This year’s event will include the World’s Largest Pajama Party on Saturday, Sept. 12. So stay in your PJs and don’t be afraid to show off that bed-head in the hilarious Bed- Head Competition.

Crowd favorites return this year with the Wells Fargo-sponsored bumble bees and stagecoach- shaped balloon. The Energizer Bunny keeps going and going as it makes yet another appearance this year, with ears as tall as the presidents’ faces on Mount Rushmore! Smokey the Bear returns to the Balloon Race thanks to Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators. The Mayflower balloon will make its third event appearance this year thanks to Sierra Moving Systems.

A new shape will make its debut at the Balloon Race this year thanks to the Wilbur D. May Foundation.  Pandy the Panda Bear, standing at 100-feet tall, will provide tethered rides to children after Mass Ascension each day. Lastly, Tony the Tiger will appear, standing nearly nine stories tall!

It’s worth the wake to see these gentle giants ascend into the early morning sky for a spectacular show of bright colors and fun shapes. For a full event schedule, travel resources and parking information, visit www.renoballoon.com or call (775) 826-1181.

There are few guarantees in life, but when it comes to Lake Tahoe summers, you can pretty much count on 1) consist sun 2) warm, moderate temperatures 3) and breezy afternoons. And there may be no better way to capture the essence of Tahoe than aboard a sailboat.

Several charter companies throughout the lake offer sailboat rides, complete with cocktails and bonus sunsets. So get on board and experience Tahoe under wind power. Check out this “Reno Tahoe Experience” aboard the Tahoe Cruz, a boat that sails out of Tahoe City on the lake’s North Shore for a taste of what you’ll experience.

Whether you’re the type of rib-eater who’s all about quality, or the type who’s all about quantity, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off delivers with the world’s best cookers lined up to fill festivalgoers bellies and compete for bragging rights.

The 21st running of the event takes place Sept. 2-7 (Labor Day weekend) at Victorian Square in Reno’s sister city of Sparks, where nearly 500,000 visitors will converge to consume 100 tons of ribs, while many of the world’s most celebrated and talented rib cookers compete for a cash purse in the thousands and the title of, “Best of the West,” – a designation many cookers consider to be the ultimate prize in high-volume competitive BBQ.

Eat to win

Watch professional eaters, including three-time defending champion Joey Chestnut, participate in the 4th Annual World Rib Eating Competition, planned for Sept. 2. Last year the legendary world No.1-ranked eater consumed 9.8 pounds of rib meat in 12 minutes to set a new world record.

Entertainment

This year’s entertainment lineup includes the Saddle Tramps, Hot Club of Cowtown, Restless Heart, The Fixx, Jonny Lang and the Iguanas, and many other bands over the six-day festival.

View more event information online.

The 28th Annual Donner Lake Open Water Swim is set for Saturday, Aug. 8. Over 350 swimmers will participate in the 2.7-mile trek across the cool lake.

The race begins at the Donner State Memorial Park and finishes at West End Beach. The Sierra Nevada Masters hosts the event.

The Donner Lake Swim has become one of the top U.S. Masters open-water races in the West Coast. Top athletes from all over California and Nevada participate in the annual event.

Three-time defending champion, Erik Scalise, will try to extend his winning streak against a competitive field. Scalise, a former NCAA All-American and Olympic Trial qualifier, is a Sparks native.

Check www.activereno.com for more information, results, and video highlights.

Exciting PGA TOUR action returns to northern Nevada with the 11th annual Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, playing through Aug. 9 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club.

As the PGA TOUR’s only summer West Coast stop, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open offers fans a fun-filled week of low-scoring professional golf along with the return of many of the tournament’s most popular events including “Fiesta Loco,” “Kidz Par-Tee Zone,” Vino 100 Wine Walk, as well as the charity events “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The 16th hole is once again home to “Fiesta Loco,” a fiesta-themed hospitality area featuring margaritas, a taco and burrito bar and the fan-favorite Mariachi Band. Also back for a fourth consecutive year is the “Vino 100 Wine Walk” beginning each day at 9 a.m. with mimosas at the driving range and inviting spectators and wine enthusiasts to walk the course and enjoy a wine tasting along the way. The “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” also makes its return to entertain the junior fans Friday through Sunday with a play area including a putting green, bounce houses, face painting and more.

While the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is committed to helping the community in which it plays year-round, tournament time brings two charity events that encourage attendees to join along in the spirit of giving, “Get Fit Fore Charity,” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” walk is a course-long pedometer walk through Montrêux’s beautiful tree-lined fairways. With a $5 donation, each participant receives a pedometer and a chance to win a prize based on the number of steps taken along the course. “Birdies for Charity” is another way to follow the action and compete among friends while helping a worthy cause as participants are tempted to donate anywhere from 10 cents to $10 or more for each birdie carded during the tournament with the closest guess taking home a prize. Proceeds from both charity events benefit local non-profit organizations.

The following is a list of activities and offerings at the 2009 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Aug. 5 – 9:

Thursday, Aug. 6

• 7 a.m.: First Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live First Round Coverage
• 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – First Round

Friday, Aug. 7

• 7a.m.: Second Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th green; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Second Round Coverage
• 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Second Round

Saturday, Aug. 8

• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 9:30 a.m.: Third Round Tournament Play
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Third Round Coverage
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Third Round

Sunday, Aug. 9

• 9 a.m.: Final Round Tournament Play; “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – LIVE Final Round
• 6 p.m.: Trophy Presentation on 18th Green
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

Monday, Aug. 10

• 5 – 7 a.m.:  Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

**All times are approximate and subject to change.

For more information on this year’s Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, including ticket sales, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LegendsRenoTahoeOpen.com or contact the tournament office at 775-322-3900.

Hot August Nights, one of the nation’s biggest events for auto enthusiasts, has finally started, and the streets are filled to the brim with custom rigs, hot rods, classics and exotics, while the stages are pumping with classic sounds.

The event runs through Aug. 9, with dozens of events every day throughout the Reno and Sparks areas. Download a schedule here.