Street Vibrations, one of the nation’s largest motorcycle events, Sept. 23-27, brings together enthusiasts of every stripe, taking over Reno Tahoe with rides, competitions, food, music and fun.

You don’t have to be a motorcycle nut to enjoy Street Vibrations, but it helps. Thousands of bikers mix with casual riders, builders and spectators to check out each others’ rides, listen to some rock n’ roll, and share the company of friends on a sunny afternoon.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit the event Web site.



Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

It’ like Nascar racing, but a lot more dangerous …. and a lot faster.

Daredevil pilots take to the sky during the Reno National Championship Air Races this week (Sept. 16-20), bringing the world’ best pilots together to compete for prize money and bragging rights at Stead Field north of Reno, Nev.

The annual event enters its 64th year, offering spectators a jaw-dropping spectacle of speed – racers reach up to 500 mph, the fastest-moving machines in motorsports – as they jockey around pylons placed throughout the field. The view from the grandstands is up close and personal, and the action is non-stop. Several different classes of aircraft compete throughout the week, and between races a procession of aviation-related events, from acrobatic performances to static aircraft shows – including a performance by the Blue Angels – keeps the entertainment going. Come out and celebrate one of the best shows in the sky.

Schedule:

Sept. 16

• Qualifying begins at 8 a.m., with race heats throughout the day and into the late afternoon, including: Biplane, F-1 Stage, Jets, T-6 and Sport. The Blue Angels perform circling maneuvers at 1:15.

Sept. 17

• Races start at 8 a.m., with the Biplane heat kicking off the action. Following morning racing, performer David Martin takes to the sky at 9:50 a.m., with racing and performances throughout the day, including: Patty Wagstaff, Smoke and Thunder (Red Eagles) and the Blue Angels.

Sept. 18

• Races in all classes are held all day, 8:25 a.m.-4:10 p.m. Special performances include: The Red Eagles, Patty Wagstaff, Smoke and Thunder, Blue Angels, David Martin and a military demo.

Sept. 19

• Racing from 8:25 a.m.-4 p.m. in all classes, with performances by David Martin, Patty Wagstaff, another military demo, Smoke and Thunder, the Blue Angels and the Red Eagles.

Sept. 20

• Final day of white-knuckle racing in all classes, and more acrobatic performances and military demonstrations. The final race, the Unlimited Gold Race, will be held at 4:05 p.m.

For complete information on the Reno National Championship Air Races, log on to www.AirRace.org.

It was nearing our scheduled 7 a.m. launch time, and pilot David Wakefield was busy with last-minute details: checking rigging, test-firing the burners, tethering the balloon to the bumper of the chase vehicle. And he was doing it all with a grin stretching from ear to ear.

Such is the life of a balloon pilot during the Great Reno Balloon Race. Safety is first, but fun runs a close second. And Wakefield was obviously having fun.

“When you love something this much, it never gets old,” he said. He ran from one side of the balloon to the other, all the while trading jokes with our fellow passengers and doing the “work” of preparing for our ascent in the Harrah’s-sponsored balloon.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Thursday’s media day event was a scaled down version of what visitors to Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Park (map) can expect this weekend (Sept. 11-13). About two-dozen balloons were set out in the park’s green pastures, propane burners blasting hot air as the colorful nylon bloomed all around us. My first ride in a balloon offered perfect conditions, as the sun peaked over the Virginia Range to the east. It was majestic.

Our route took us in a box formation about 1,500 feet up where we mingled with other balloons and traded positions with fellow fliers. The silence is the striking thing – interrupted only by the occasional burner blast that would give us our lift. From our vantage point, we could see all of the Truckee Meadows, with the cities of Reno and Sparks laid out before us. We floated east, then south above the University of Nevada campus. With predictable wind, and luck of the draw, a draft brought us back almost directly to where we started.

With a master’s touch, Wakefield set us down about 100 feet from our original launch site. And with my first flight under my belt, I stepped out of the basket, grinning from ear to ear. This would never get old.

The Great Reno Balloon Race 2009

• When: Sept. 11-13
• Where: Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno
• Cost: FREE!
• Time: Events starting at dawn
• On the Web: www.RenoBalloon.com

The Great Reno Balloon Race is a beloved event, which has decorated the Reno sky for 28 years. The early hours are all worth it once 100 balloons ascend into the early morning sky for a spectacular show of bright colors and fun shapes.

To make this year’s event an easy and worry free experience, follow some of these simple tips provided by the event organizers:

Stay in your pajamas on Saturday, Sept. 12 for The World’s Largest Pajama Party, sponsored by momslikeme.com and Farmers Insurance! Hang out in the pajama party tent and get your photo taken by the Pajamarazzi. Come in your best (or worst) bed-head to enter in the Bed-Head competition. Register at www.renoballoon.com.

• September mornings tend to be a little chilly and the weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to dress in layers.
• Please leave your pets at home. Large of crowds of people, strange surroundings and weird noises may scare them and make them act out of character.
• Smoking is prohibited on the launch field. Dry grass, propane and sparks do not mix.
• Bring a camera with you so you can capture every moment of this incredible event.
• Admission is free, but make sure you bring money for tethered rides, souvenirs or food and drink from a variety of vendors.
• Parking is limited at the event so make sure to arrive early. You can also use RTC RIDE, which will have both pick-up and drop-off at three different locations: CITICENTER in Downtown Reno, Reed High School and Meadowood Mall. Also, many local hotel sponsors provide transportation, so be sure to ask when you check in.

For more information about this year’s Great Reno Balloon Race and a complete schedule of events, visit www.renoballoon.com.

- Provided by the Great Reno Balloon Race

La Tomatina en Reno brought America’s Biggest Food Fight to Reno on Saturday at the Reno City Plaza. Nearly 5,000 participants threw 50,000 pounds of tomatoes in the inaugaral event, raising thousands for cancer research. Check out these photos and be sure to catch next year’s event:



Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Videos of the event have also been popping up:

They snort. They spit. Sometimes they bite. They may be the most ornery animals on four legs – at least any animal you would consider riding. And they’re coming to Northern Nevada’s Virginia City to race.

The Virginia City International Camel Races celebrate its 50th running Sept. 11-13 in this Wild West town, offering high drama in the high desert hills outside of Reno. While the dromedaries are not known for their speed – some even choose to go the wrong way on occasion – the awkward gallops, jockeys hanging on for dear life, and the whooping of the crowd is a spectacle worth seeing.

A piece of Nevada history

The camel races started as a lie, when Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise newspaper in 1959 made up a story about camel racing on the Comstock. The story found its way into other newspapers, and eventually the San Francisco Chronicle and the Phoenix Sun challenged each other to a race.

So the races were on, the year that the “Misfits” starring Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, and directed by John Huston, were in Virginia City filming the movie. Huston, riding for the Chronicle, won the first camel race.

While you’re here

Virginia City’s roots go deep. The onetime commercial and cultural center of the West was borne out of the silver boom in the mid-nineteenth century. Much of that history, from the boardwalks, museums and preserved saloons, to the fully functional V&T Railroad, lives on today, offering visitors a true Wild West experience.

For more information about Virginia City and the International Camel Races, call 1-800-718-7587 or go online to VisitVirginiaCityNV.com.

Sept. 10

• 6 p.m. Jockey Party at the Red Dog Saloon

Sept. 11

• 1:30-5 p.m. Media Races

Sept. 12

• Noon C Street Parade featuring camels, floats, marchers, hot rods, llamas and equestrian teams
• 1:30-5 p.m. Camel Races, including a children’s fun zone with a bounce house, fast draw competition (ages 12 and up), pony and camel rides
• Evening Camel Hump Ball at the Old Freight Depot

Sept. 13

• 1:30-5 p.m. Championship Races
• General Admission is $10; VIP tickets are $40; Family Pack is $25; Junior/Senior/Military $8

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.

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.

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 is in full swing in the Truckee Meadows. For those who aren’t familiar, Hot August Nights is an annual celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile, drawing hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts for a week of cruises, entertainment and socializing under the Sierra Nevada sun.

Even if cars aren’t your thing, there is plenty to appreciate with the crafstmanship and dedication some restorers have put into these projects. For a full schedule of Hot August Nights events, click here. And if you make it out the Atlantis Casino Resort, you may see some of these cars (shot today):