Highlights: Hot August Nights (usually in early August), when rooms in some gaming resorts are sold out a year in advance; the Reno Rodeo, the last week of June; the Nevada State Fair, the third week of August; the Nugget Best in the West Rib Cook-off, Labor Day weekend; the National Championship Air Races, the Great Reno Balloon Race, Street Vibrations and the Virginia City International Camel Races in September; the National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals in November.

Veteran's Day Parade Downtown Reno 775-356-3176 November 11 The City of Reno has joined with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to offer the community a Veterans Day Parade along Virginia Street. Together, they are working to ensure this tribute to all veterans continues for many years. They encourage the participation of all organizations and groups to help honor Veterans on this special day.

Turkey Trot Sparks Marina Park 775-353-2291 November The City of Sparks invites you to burn off those extra helpings of mashed potatoes at this 10K run or 2-mile walk or run. Every registered participant will receive a Turkey Trot Sweatshirt.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks 775-353-2291 December The 14th annual Christmas celebration featuring a parade, tree lighting, caroling, crafts, entertainment and food.

Reno's River Holiday Downtown Reno 775-334-2417 Thanksgiving weekwnd-Dec. 31 The holiday season officially gets underway with entertainment, children's activities, street performers, Christmas crafts, holiday lights, festival trees and the arrival of Santa.

ABC Senior Masters Bowling Tournament National Bowling Stadium 775-348-2232, 775-334-2600 January The prestigious annual Senior Masters Tournament features the best professional and amateur bowlers over fifty competing for a prize purse worth approximately $150,000.

PNA National Senior Mixed Doubles Bowling Tournament National Bowling Stadium 775-334-2600 January Top senior duos pair up and square off in this exciting tournament.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel Casino 800-648-1177 January A four day celebration honoring the birhtday of this civil rights leader. Highlights include a dinner with special guest speaker and entertainment.

Annual ABC Championships National Bowling Stadium 775-348-2232 February Professional and amateur bowlers from across the country return to Reno for four and a half months of bowling excitement.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration Fitzgerald's Casino Hotel, downtown Reno 775-785-3300 March A three-day celebration of all things Irish in the heart of downtown Reno. Traditional Irish food, live music and an arts and crafts fair are features of this annual event.

Pro Shuffleboard Tournament Sands Regency Hotel Casino 775-348-2232 March The Sands Regency Hotel Casino hosts the cream of the shuffleboard crop.

Reno Jazz Festival Various locations 775-784-4046 April The Annual Reno Jazz Festival hosts over 300 performances and clincis featuring the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, 40 jazz artists from around the nation, and approximately 280 middle school, high school and college groups from throughout the West.

Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks 775-353-2291 June-Aug. Get if fresh at this weekly summertime celebration of food. The market features more than 100 vendors offering fresh-picked produce, breads, pastries and gourmet foods. Cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and unique items for home and garden are also highlighted. Thursday evenings, 4-9 p.m.

Cool Caddy Nights John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel Casino/Victorian Square 800-223-3971, 925-634-1188 June A Cadillac and custom car show with awards presented to winners in several different classes, live entertainment and a Mobile Radio Station.

Toast of Victorian Square Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks 775-353-2291 June Enjoy a taste of Victorian Square as you stroll through art booths, sample teas and wines and listen to a variety of music from light jazz to big band.

Reno Rodeo Reno Livestock Events Center 775-329-3877, 775-688-5751 June The annual installment of the ""Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West"" features the best Rodeo athletes from around the world, as weel as a parade, a carnival and craft booths.

Artown Festival Various locations 775-332-1538 July Reno's annual summer arts festival features 200 performing and visual arts events in dozens of locations city-wide. Highlights include: music, dance, theater, opera, children's workshops, movies in the park, cowboy poetry, historical walks and visual art.

Skyfire Rancho San Rapael 775-322-3333 July 4 It wouldn't be Independence Day without fireworks, but this show takes pyrotechnics to a whole other level

The Big Easy Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks 775-353-2291 July Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulet - ""Let the Good Times Roll."" The Big Easy is a festival bringing the spirit of Louisiana to the West, featuring some of life's most pleasurable pursuits: food, music, dancing, parades and shopping.

The Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival Eldorado Hotel Casino/Virginia Street 775-786-5700, 800-648-5966 July Nothing washes down a good barbeque like a cold brew and cool blues. Live music, great food and microbrews are featured just outside the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Sand Harbor State Park 800-747-4697 July - Aug. Lake Tahoe becomes the backdrop Shakespeare's greatest dramas.

John Ascuaga's Nugget Amateur Open John Ascuaga's Nugget/various courses 800-648-1177 July Nevada's only amateur golf competition are played on eight of the Reno/Sparks area's premier golf courses. The event includes three days of tournament play, nightly parties, golf exposition and $250,000 in prizes

Hot August Nights Throughout Reno-Sparks/Lake Tahoe 775-356-1956 Early Aug. This yearly celebration of vintage music and autos returns for another lap down Virginia Street and Victorian Square. Featuring top entertainers of the 50's and 60's as well as car auctions, poker runs, show 'n' shines and parades.

Reno Basque Festival Wingfield Park/Reno 775-787-3039 Celebrate Reno's Basque heritage at this annual event featuring traditional food, dancing, a Basque Mass and games for children and adults. Reno-Tahoe Open Montreux Golf & Country Club 775-322-3900 August A top field of PGA professionals faces off with one of the area's toughest and most scenic golf courses. The week-long event features a pro-am tournament.

Nevada State Fair Reno Livestock Events Center 775-688-5767 Late August Everything that makes the Silver State great is featured at this annual event. Livestock exhibits and events, entertainment, rides, carnival rides & games, corn dogs and more!

Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks 800-648-1177 Late August The biggest and most prestigious rib cook-off competition in the United States features 24 cookers, 125 craft booths, free entertainment including headliner acts nightly on the main stage.

Bullnanza Reno Livestock Events Center 800-595-7433, 775-688-5751 Early Sept. Top professional bull riders compete for thousands of dollars in prize money at this thrilling events that pairs courageous cowboys and fearsome bulls.

The Great Reno Balloon Race Rancho San Rapael 775-826-1181 September More than just an exhibition of these gorgeious flying machines, the Balloon Race features the nation's top balloonists competing in events like the Hare and the Hound, Target Drop and Key Grab.

Virginia City Camel Races Virginia City 775-847-0311 September 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 as well as food and beverages.

National Championship Air Races Stead Airport 775-972-6429 September The world's longest running air race is an international event featuring a variety of race classes, military and historic airplane displays and aerobatics exhibitions.

Street Vibrations Various locations 775-329-7469 September Get your motor running' with three days of motorcycle tours, live concerts and entertainment, ride-in shows, a parade, poker run/walk and vendors. An official event of the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association of Northern California. It's HOG heaven!

Great Italian Festival Eldorado Hotel Casino/Virginia Street 775-786-5700, 800-648-5966 October The annual installment of this proud celebration. Activities include a grape stomp, spaghetti eating contest, Italian food booths and entertainment.

National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals Reno Livestock Events Center 775-323-8842 Late October The nation's top cowboys and cowgirls, 40 and older, compete in all of the traditional rodeo events.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas Sparks Victorian Square 775-353-2291 December 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.