Weekend Warrior: June 2023

Unless you are crazing enough to participate in this 178-mile, ’round-the-clock relay race from hell, AKA Reno Tahoe Odyssey, this article simply makes you aware that the event can impact your travel plans. Hundreds of runners will race their way from Reno, AROUND Lake Tahoe, over to Carson City, up to Virginia City and back to Downtown Reno. Yes… for the majority of us, it’s an absurd event that our bodies shudder to imagine. Fear not… there are portions of this endeavor, the Capital Odyssey (Carson City to Reno), and the Comstock Odyssey (Virginia City to Reno) for those who wish only to torture their bodies on Saturday, June 3. Learn all of the insane details and check out the maps of the courses at RenoTahoeOdyssey.com.

The magic and splendor of the cirque world are here to dazzle us!  Claiming residency at the Eldorado Showroom, Cabaret Le Cirque entertains Reno locals and visitors through July 30, 2023, offering a mischievous twist of burlesque and vaudeville and combining stunning show dancers with jaw-dropping circus acrobatics. You’re in for a treat that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you transport yourself to the entertainment style that wowed audiences in the early 20th century.  Find your tickets to this mesmerizing show and discover all of the exciting entertainment right here at Caesars.com.

Whoop Whoop!! In case you haven’t been paying attention, our Reno Aces have had a pretty darn good start to their season, sitting first in the standings of the Pacific Coast League West.  Catch a home game in June as we compete against the Tacoma Rainiers and the Albuquerque Isotopes. Throughout the season, Reno businesses offer special promotions fans at every home competition… Taco Tuesday, WILD Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday and Fireworks Fridays!  Saturdays and Sundays bring specials series-to-series. Here are the weekend promotions happening in May this year:

Are you up for the challenge of participating in America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride?  This iconic annual event has circumnavigated stunning Lake Tahoe for 30 years, offering breathtaking views of one of the most gorgeous lakes in the US!  Choose your experience… “Most Beautiful,” a 72-mile course that circles the lake clockwise, includes a steep climb Emerald Bay, a climb to Spooner Summit and rolling ascents & descents totaling over 4,024 vertical feet of elevation gain!  Should you select the “Most Mileage: Beautiful & Historic Century,” you’ll endure 100 miles of scenic terrain that includes and “out-and-back” on Hwy 89 to historic Truckee, CA, then around Lake Tahoe. Participants in both rides support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  This option is clearly tailored for the more conditioned cyclist.  Learn more about this awesome event and register in advance at CureLLS.org.

Attention all Foodies!!  Ready to get out and explore some of Reno’s most loved eating and drinking establishment? Reno Food & Drink Week and offers locals and visitors the opportunity to access fixed price menus, drink flights and/or specialty drink and food items only offered during this 12-day community event.  It is designed to support and celebrate local businesses and to encourage locals and visitors to try new places and/or revisit the favorites they haven’t been to in awhile. Nearly four dozen eateries or bars are participating, so visit HungryInReno.com for the full list and learn about how Reno Food & Drink Week works! 

Summer begins here!!  Perched on the banks of the extremely full Truckee River at Wingfield Park, the season kicks off at the Reno River Festival.  Basic entry to the festival is $10 for event-goers 18+ years, and free for kiddos 17 and younger. Entry includes festival access all weekend long with 26 music acts on 2 stages, 100+ vendor shops, the Reno Tahoe Adventure Park, dozens of food and drink options, and much more!  Elevate your experience by upgrading for drink sampling tours, the Reno River Rally rafting tour, the Reno River Roll bike ride, a VIP table at RRF’s MusicFest, or the RRF corn-hole championships. It’s a weekend full of fun you won’t want to miss!! For all the amazing details and to purchase tickets ahead of the event, visit RenoRiverFestival.com.

66 local and regional craft breweries converge at Historic Bartley Ranch for all beer and cider fanatics in Reno to partake on Saturday, June 10!  Over the years, The Biggest Little Invitational has earned the reputation as one of the most attend craft beer festivals on the west coast. Festival organizers pride themselves in offering attendees an experience they won’t soon forget. You will not only find a curated lineup of top shelf quality beers at BLI 2023, but you’ll also enjoy a few hand-picked local food vendors that will sustain you through the event. Mix in some music to get you groovin’ and lawn games for when you need a break from all the beer and food, and you now have one hell of a craft beer festival. Learn more and get tickets in advance at TheBiggestLittleInvitational.com.

Are you a lucky ticket holder for one of Reno’s most popular annual events? If so, good-on-you for planning and buying in advance. The Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West, the Reno Rodeo is nearly sold out.  But if you still want go, don’t despair.  At 10 am the morning of each performance, a limited number of first-come-first-serve seats are sold at the Livestock Pavilion ticket office. For me, the rodeo evokes fond memories with friends and family over the years as we take in the unique sites and sounds this special event offers. The thrill of barrel racing, the skill of roping, the strength of steer wrestling, the athleticism of bronco riding and the insanity of bull riding. And we can’t forget the fearless mutton-busters clinging for dear life atop sheep ripping across the arena. For all the great info about this beloved Reno tradition, visit RenoRodeo.com.  

Savory foods, flavorful microbrews and fantastic live entertainment come together at The ROW (Silver Legacy, Eldorado & Circus Circus) at the 26th Annual BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival! Signature festival food awaits you, like St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, smoked beef brisket and pulled pork with mouthwatering sides of creamy cole slaw, barbecue baked beans and buttered cornbread.  Wash it all down with samples from over 50 microbreweries while busting a move to live music throughout the festival. Purple Reign, The Prince Tribute Show headlines Friday night, June 16 and Danny Seraphine & Jeff Coffee founder and former lead singer of Chicago, respectively, headline Saturday night, June 17.  For additional info about more food, beverages and music, visit Caesars.com.

Back by popular demand, Dragon Lights Reno returns to the Wilbur D. May Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Park midsummer!  I personally visited this impressive display of creatively designed, larger-than-life lantern sculptures last summer and definitely plan to repeat this year!  The exhibit honors Chinese culture and celebrates biodiversity in the garden.  Over 40 grand groups of illuminated creatures line the path that meanders through the tree-lined garden. Bring along your favorite kiddos who will not only marvel at the eye-popping displays, but will also enjoy the newly expanded interactive playground. Purchase tickets that go on sale June 1 in advance at DragonLIghtsReno.org.