Reno-Tahoe

Terrible’s Sands Regency Casino Hotel is bringing extreme rock crawling to downtown Reno. The W.E. Rock Western US Rock Crawling Nationals will take place as part of Reno Rocks 4×4.com over Father’s Day weekend.

Two additional events scheduled for Reno Rocks 4×4.com will give amateur drivers the unique opportunity to test their skills on the manmade W.E. Rock course, the Surplus City Jeep Parts High Sierra Rock Crawling Championship and Northern Nevada 4×4 Club Challenge Crawl.

Other Reno Rocks 4×4.com highlights include a Wheelers for the Wounded Tour Stop, 4×4 Show & Shine and 4×4 Rough & Tough competitions, the Surplus City Jeep Parts Teeter Totter and Ramp Travel Index (RTI), a People’s Choice Team Tire Climb, Beauty and the 4×4 Beast Contest, New 4×4 Showcase, Military and Public Safety 4×4 Vehicle Displays, a Manufacturers Midway, a Friday night pool party with men’s and women’s swimsuit competitions, and free live music in the casino Friday and Saturday nights. For more information on any of the events taking place at Reno Rocks 4×4.com, visit www.RenoRocks4×4.com and follow the Forum links.

Spectator season passes for Reno Rocks are now available at www.sandsrenoevents.com. Participant registration packages are also available.

Reno Tahoe is gearing up for the Northstar-at-Tahoe Tour de Nez June 17-21, when one of the West’s premier cycling events comes to the Sierra Nevada with events in Reno, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.

This is bicycle racing at its finest – some of the best athletes in the sport working with and against each other in a race that is part endurance, part speed and part strategy, all against the backdrop of perfect summer weather and the Sierra Nevada range. But it’s not all about the racing: The Tour brings with it a festival atmosphere buzzing with the energy of fitness freaks and partiers – and everyone and everything in between.

So pack up the bike, make your way to Reno Tahoe and enjoy Nevada’s great outdoors.

From Fernando Leal, a Reno developer and supporter of the Tour de Nez:

As developer for The MONTAGE in downtown Reno, I understand the importance of a vital urban core. Cities thrive when there is a downtown from which civic pride and participation can grow and flourish; a core where resident and tourist participation is encouraged through active lifestyles in recreation, the arts, restaurants, entertainment and events.

The Tour de Nez combines two of my great passions – downtown Reno and cycling. A five-day cycling festival that includes recreational rides, world-class racing, cycling movies, parties and more … what’s not to love? I am honored that Montage Marketing Corporation is a proud sponsor of the Tour de Nez. The sponsorship is our way of demonstrating our appreciation and support to the event organizers for hosting a world-class event that we Renoites can be proud of.

Special events like the Tour de Nez and Artown bring thousands of visitors to our area who stay in our hotels, dine at our great local restaurants, and help with a downtown culture we are all working hard to create. These events also leave visitors with a great impression of Reno so they serve as good public relations ambassadors for our city.  The Tour de Nez has been instrumental over the last 15 years in providing a sense of community for Reno residents. Reno residents benefit from a variety of wonderful events that provide great entertainment options nearly every weekend. These events have a huge impact on improving the quality of life in our great city. The least we can do as citizens is to support these wonderful amenities in order to ensure their long-term viability.

Race schedule:

June 17

• Meet and greet with pro racers at Amendment 21
• Screening of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”

June 18

• Downtown Truckee criterium for professional men and women, masters and handcycles
• Downtown Truckee races for clunkers, messengers and kids
• Music and feast after races in downtown Truckee

June 19

• Morning group ride with athletes
• Downtown Reno Circuit Race for professional men and women, masters and handcycles
• Downtown Truckee races for clunkers, messengers and kids
• Reno Film Festival bicycle film “Breaking Away,” at Wingfield Park Amphitheater

June 20

• Morning group ride with athletes
• Village circuit race at the Village at Northstar at Tahoe for Pro men, women and masters, juniors and handcycles
• Village races for clunkers, kids and messengers
• Expo, music, demos, food, festival, and party, all in the Village at Northstar

June 21

• LUX, The great Tour de Nez Century ride along the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe

A summer tradition kicks off again this week in Sparks as the Hometowne Farmer’s Market brings dozens of vendors, hundreds of people and a party atmosphere to Victorian Square.

The Sparks Farmer’s Market runs Thursday evenings throughout the summer. And while visitors can score great produce and family-farm fare, the market is as much of a party as a place to get the groceries.

See bands and dance the night away. Drink an “Icky” from Great Basin Brewing Co. (also located at Victorian Square) and check out local art. Thousands converge on the Square – young and old – and the party goes into the evening.

Sparks Farmer’s Market

• When: Thursdays, 4-9 p.m., June 11-Aug. 20 (except Aug. 6)
• Where: Victorian Square, Sparks, Nev.
• Web: Sparks Hometown Farmer’s Market

Recognized as one of the most comprehensive art festivals in the country by the National Endowment for the Arts, Artown brings more than 400 events to downtown Reno, Nev., for an extraordinary showcase of theater, dance, film and history as well as multi-cultural, musical, visual and performing arts.

Now in its 14th year, Artown expands its month-long event into a 32-day festival transforming the city into a summer epicenter of cultural entertainment. Launching Artown into the month-long cultural celebrations, the festival’s July 1 opening night brings Richie Havens, the artist that opened Woodstock 40 years ago.

This year’s Artown Opening Extravaganza includes a children’s hands-on printmaking workshop with festival artist Candace Nicol, face painting for children with Body Masterpiece and a performance by Havens. The festival continues with the nationally recognized and multi-faceted Aspen Santa Fe Ballet July 24 and ”Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent and the Rage with opening band Contraband July 25.

A number of Festival favorites return including the Family Series, Monday Night Music Series, World Music Series, Dancing in the Park, Rollin’ on the River music series, Movies in the Park, Artown After Dark and the Discover the Arts children’s series. Artown’s Closing Night, which has grown year after year to now rival opening night, brings Motown stars The Funk Brothers to Wingfield Park on what festival organizers are dubbing July 32 (Aug. 1) to wrap up the festival’s 14th year on a Saturday.

For schedule details or to advance order a FREE copy of the Little Book of Artown, visit www.RenoIsArtown.com or call 775-322-1538.

Reno’s Tamarack Junction Casino will host the best athletes from the canine world at the Splash Dogs Summer Solstice Dock Jumping Competition on June 19-21.

The event, open to dogs of all shapes, sizes and abilities, takes place in the casino parking lot and features a portable pool and dock. And for the non-athletes, there’s plenty of barbecue, drink and fun on-site.

Check out event details here, and come on out for a good time.


Event Schedule

Friday, June 19

• Registration opens – 2PM
• Open Practice Dock – 2PM
• Wave #1 – 4:00 PM
• Wave #2 – 6:00 PM
• Dock Closes – 7PM

Saturday, June 20

• Registration opens – 9AM
• Open Practice Dock – 9AM
• Wave #3 – 3:00 PM
• Wave #4 – 5:00 PM
• Super Vertical – 7:00 PM
• Dock Closes – 8PM

Sunday, June 21

• Registration opens – 8AM
• Open Practice Dock – 8AM
• Wave #5 – 9:00 AM
• Wave #6 – 11:00 AM
• Lap Dog Finals – 1:00PM
• Junior Handler Finals – 1:00PM
• Open Finals – 1:00PM
• Pro Finals – 2:00PM
• Pro Final 4 – 2:00PM
• Dock Closes – 6PM

The Hills are alive in Reno-Tahoe, as the 11th Annual EuroFest takes over the parking lot at Terrible’s Sands Regency this weekend, June 5-7.

With a huge selection of beers ranging from Spaten, Warsteiner, Kronenbourg and Stella Artois, to Hoegaarden, Bass Ale, Young Chocolate Stout and Monty Pythons’ Holy Grail Ale, there’ll be no shortage of beverages to quench any thirst brought on by dancing to the live music.

Also, sample a variety of European cuisine, including specialties from Germany, England, Spain (including Basque country), Poland and Italy.

EuroFest, as always, is free so bring your friends and have a great time at the Sands.

Calling this a “shopping center” doesn’t do it justice. It’s a shopping experience.

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a destination retail center under construction in Sparks, Nev., is almost ready for its June 18 first-phase opening. And developers of the mega-mall are going big. Really big.

From a huge tower that anchors the center of the center, to common areas with statues depicting Nevada historical figures, features and wildlife, the concept behind Legends is to create a mecca for shopping and socializing. The first phase is expected to bring 28 tenants online, with a total of 47 tenants open for business by Aug. 1. Several tenants are already wowing visitors, including Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (at nearly 300,000 square feet) and Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. By next spring there will also be a 13-theater movie complex, complete with an iMax screen – and tentative plans call for a destination casino hotel resort to anchor the north end of the project, as well as a concert venue that can seat up to 9,000 for big-name acts.

Bringing the “legends” to Legends

“The idea is to celebrate the history, people and places of Nevada,” said Dennis McGovern, Legends general manager. “When the first phase is finished you’ll see three ‘living room’ areas surrounded by artist depictions of the bristlecone pine (Nevada’s state tree), bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, a statue of Samuel Clemens …”

Common areas are replete with waterfalls, firepits, and lush landscaping. McGovern says developers are planting 1,600 trees and 26,000 shrubs at the site. The landscape is also varied – elevation changes enhance the feeling place and reflect the diverse topography of Northern Nevada.

Designed to appeal to all of the senses, a 151-speaker sound system will be installed at Legends, along with spaces for public events, including a five-story Christmas tree during the holiday season.

But it’s (mostly) about the shopping

On Wednesday 500 workers were on site – installing fixtures, punching out final touches on storefronts, hanging signs, pouring concrete and powering the huge electrical infrastructure.
“This place is changing every day,” McGovern said. “You can barely walk through here right now, but by June 18 this won’t even look like a construction site.”

The tenant mix will be 60 percent outlets – good news for deal seekers. Stores that have signed on the dotted line include:

Entertainment

• Dickinson Theatres & IMAX
• Kingpins

Hotel/Casino

• The Legends Bay Casino, Resort, Spa (Olympia Gaming)

Restaurants

• Cadillac Ranch
• FreshBerry Yogurt Cafe
• Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen
• Olive Garden
• Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria
• Subway

Stores

• Adidas
• Ann Taylor Factory
• Banana Republic Factory Store
• Bath and Body Works
• BCBG
• BCBGirls
• Best Buy
• Bose Factory Store
• Carter’s
• Converse
• Easy Spirit
• GameStop
• Gap Outlet
• GNC
• Guess Factory Store
• Gymboree Outlet
• Harry & David
• Jones New York
• Kasper
• Kenneth Cole
• Lane Bryant Outlet
• Leather Works
• Lucky Nails
• Michael Kors
• Nike Factory Store
• Nine West Outlet
• Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
• Old Farmer’s Almanac
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh
• Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th
• Samsonite Factory Outlet
• Scheels
• Skechers USA Outlet
• Sprint
• Styles for Less
• Target
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Vans
• Volcom

Celebrate Reno-Tahoe’s newest destination

Although the ribbon will be cut June 18, Legends is going to stretch the party all summer long. A grand opening celebration runs July 31-Aug. 9.  Events include a summer concert series, fashion show, celebrity appearances, fireworks and more. The opening events coincide with the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Tour event and Hot August Nights.

McAvoy Layne is The Ghost of Mark Twain in a special one night performance of Mark Twain’s Nevada from the Wild Stallion to the Automobile on June 13, at the National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, in downtown Reno.  The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m.

Layne (whose resemblance to Mark Twain is eerie) begins his saga of Twain’s experience in Samuel Clemens’ boyhood home of Hannibal, MO and skips along “jaunty-jolly” to his piloting days on the Mississippi. The Twain scholar regales his audience with Twains hapless Civil War misadventures, where he admits “I was missing in action before a shot was fired.”

Layne’s portrayal of Mark Twain continues with his Overland journey to Nevada, culminating with his love affair with the “Lake of the Sky,” Lake Tahoe.

Since Twain loved technology, Layne will share some of the humorists’ first impressions of the newest form of transportation available in his day – the automobile.

A constantly lively part of every program is when Layne, as Mark Twain, takes questions from the audience.

Tickets for the one night only performance are $20 for adults and $10 for children and are available at the National Automobile Museum, 10 S. Lake St. in Reno.  A portion of the proceeds from this performance benefits the Museum, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. For more information on the National Automobile Museum, visit www.automuseum.org or call 775-333-9300.

Kick off Lake Tahoe’s Summer Season with the West Shore Association for the Third Annual Opening Day at the Lake!

Taking place Memorial Day Weekend, this classic Tahoe event is packed full of fun-filled summer activities. Kayaking, biking, big band dance parties, and restaurant deck opening parties are among only a few of the activities gracing the West Shore. For a full schedule of events, check it out online.

In the Sierra Nevada it’s known as the “shoulder season,” the period between ski season and summer. The kids are still in school and the crowds are thin. But spring is the time to get to Reno-Tahoe for a visit. Check out these spring highlights:

1 – Down by the River

A trickle turns to a roar as Tahoe snowmelt feeds the Truckee River in downtown Reno. The Riverwalk area is prime for lazy walks, shopping and a streamside drink under the sun. Read More

2 – Catch a Homer

A new ballpark has risen on the banks of the Truckee River. The Reno Aces, a Triple A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, offer exciting professional baseball action in the heart of the city. Read More

3 – Get Teed Off

Reno-Tahoe might be golf’s best-kept secret in the West. Here 50 courses from high-mountain to high-desert challenge players with variety at a great value. Read More

4 – Try Lady Luck

The gaming action is always hopping in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe. Dozens of properties offer a unique experience on the casino floor. And who knows? You could get lucky. Read More

5 – Shop Till You Drop

Power shoppers have a new destination in Sparks. The Legends at Sparks Marina destination center is opening shops in phases, and it’s home to Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Star at nearly 300,000 square feet. Read More

6 – Cast a Lure

Cast a fly for big brown and rainbow trout, catch a cutthroat at Pyramid Lake, or hit the mackinaw in Lake Tahoe. Spring fishing is a right of passage for any Sierra Nevada adventurer. Read More

7 – Wine and Dine

A nice cab … perhaps a pinot or a chardonnay. Several downtown Reno establishments – including the West Street Wine Bar, Jungle Vino and the Siena Hotel Spa Casino – cater to wine-lovers pallets, while a fine-dining experience waits just around the corner. Read More

8 – Exit Stage Left

There’s always a show to see in Reno-Tahoe. The newest offering, Celtic Legends playing at the Eldorado Hotel Casino from May 15-July 26, offers Irish music and breathtaking dance on center stage. Read More

9 – Lake Tahoe

When the ski lifts stop turning, Lake Tahoe is all about beaches, sun and getting out on the water. Experience “Big Blue,” just a 45-minute drive from downtown Reno and Sparks. Read More

10 – Arts and Culture

Reno-Tahoe is the cultural hub of Northern Nevada, boasting 31 museums. The Nevada Museum of Art is an architectural delight housing local works and traveling exhibits. Or find your niche, with great offerings from the National Automobile Museum to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Read More