Get your motors running
You hear that rumble? That’s the sound of thousands of motorcycles converging in Reno, Carson City and Virginia City for Street Vibrations. The 33rd annual fall motorcycle rally celebrates motorcycle culture and the spirit of the open road with three days of custom bike shows, scenic rides, poker runs, vendor booths showcasing motorcycle gear and accessories, and live performances at locations across the area, including the J Resort, 345 N. Arlington Ave.; Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St.; Battle Born Harley Davidson, 2900 Research Way; Carson City and along the main drag of Virginia City. The festivities kick off on Thursday, Sept. 24, and run through Saturday, Sept. 26. Most events are free to attend. Visit roadshowsreno.com for more information.
In the slammer
The spooky season gets under way with the opening of Dark Prison Haunted House, which returns to the historic Nevada State Prison this week. After drawing 15,000 visitors during its inaugural season last year, the large-scale, immersive attraction promises even more chills and thrills during its 19-day residency, including three haunted houses, an expanded entertainment zone with interactive games, roaming monsters, live music and performances, food trucks and themed bars, as well as behind-the-scenes tours highlighting the artistry and craftsmanship of the attraction’s custom-made sets and props. Dark Prison Haunted House opens this weekend, Sept. 25-26, and continues on Friday, Saturday, and select Sunday and Thursday evenings through Nov. 1, at the Nevada State Prison, 3301 Warm Springs Court, Carson City. Advance tickets start at $34.95; get them and learn more at www.darkprison.com.
Beer today, gone tomorrow
Rock that lederhosen, and head up to The Village at Palisades Tahoe for its annual Oktoberfest, offering German beer and food, Bavarian music and dance, a brat toss, a stein race and stein-holding competitions. Live entertainment includes Joe Smiell’s 20-Piece Bavarian Band, the Almenrausch Schuhplattler Dance Troop, the Sierra Alphorn Players and the Alpentanzkapelle Band. Festival hours are noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at The Village at Palisades Tahoe, 1750 Village East Road, Olympic Valley. Tickets are $13-$150. Entry is free for kids age 12 and younger. Visit www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/oktoberfest
Take your sweet time
Another sign of the season is the return of the Genoa Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Faire, which features arts and crafts, food, candy and other goods for sale by more than 400 vendors. The 107th annual event dates back to 1919 when Genoa resident Lillian Virgin Finnegan and a group of townswomen organized a dance as a way to raise money to help the community pay for the purchase of street lights. The women also made loads of candy to pass out to the couples attending the dance. The tradition continues to this day with the evening Dinner and Dance taking place on Saturday, Sept. 26. The fair is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, along Genoa Lane and Main Nixon streets. Festival admission is free. Public parking is available for $10 at lots on Genoa Lane, Foothill Road (south of Genoa) and the Genoa Cemetery on Jacks Valley Road (north of Genoa). Free shuttles run between the parking lots and the fair between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A late-running shuttle is available on Saturday night for Dinner and Dance attendees, to and from the Genoa Lane parking lot, from 4:30 until 10 p.m. Learn more at www.genoanevada.org/visitors/candy_dance/index.php.
Give ’em pumpkin to talk about
If your fall fantasies include going on a hayride, getting lost in a corn maze or picking the biggest pumpkins for jack o’ lanterns, several area pumpkin patches provide that down-home country experience you crave. Here are three of the area’s best known spots:
- Ferrari Farms’ Fall Festival offers different types of pumpkins, squash and gourds for sale in its pumpkin patch, as well as a haunted corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and other attractions. The 28th annual festival will be open daily from Saturday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 1, at the farm, 4701 Mill St. Admission is free, although there are fees for pumpkins, individual activities and special events like barn dances and movie nights. Learn more at ferrarifarms.org or www.facebook.com/FerrariFarms.
- Corley Ranch Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch kicks off its season on Saturday, Sept. 26. The farm has a pumpkin patch and corn maze during the week, with extra attractions such as miniature golf, pig races, hay wagon rides and food vendors on the weekends. Admission is $8-$12. Kids age 2 and younger get in for free. The festival will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 31 at Corley Ranch, 859 US Highway 395, Gardnerville. Visit corleyranch.com/pumpkin-patch for details.
- Finally, Lattin Farms’ Fall Festival gets under way on Saturday, Sept. 26. Highlights include a crafters market, corn maze, pumpkin patch and hay wagon rides, as well as some new features such as ziplines, a Wild West-themed town and an expanded playground. The 28th annual festival will be open 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, through Saturday, Oct. 31, at Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Road, Fallon. Admission is $15 in advance and $18 at the gate. The ticket includes all activities and attractions, except for pumpkins, campfire pits and concessions. Check www.lattinfarms.com/fall-festival for more info.
Take a picture; it’ll last longer
The Truckee Meadows may not have the amount of fiery foliage that blankets the hills and valleys of New England in autumn, but there are plenty of spots across the area that offer swoon-worthy seasonal sights. Pack a camera of your choice. and get some tips on outdoor photography during a series of fall photo walks led by Washoe County park rangers starting on Sunday, Sept. 27. Shoot scenic ridgelines, towering pines, historic artifacts and possibly some wildlife at the first event in the series, which takes place at Crystal Peak Park, 561 Crystal Park Road, Verdi. Meet at 10 a.m. in the lower parking lot. The event is free, but participants must sign up in advance. The series will focus on a different Washoe County park or trail every Saturday through Oct. 31, with the final walk scheduled for Nov. 14 at Galena Creek Trail. Visit www.washoecounty.gov/parks/calendar.php for more details and sign up links.
Cultural connections
Experience two distinctive events highlighting the diverse communities and international relationships shaping Northern Nevada. Comida and Community celebrates Latin American culture and Northern Nevada entrepreneurs with an evening of food and drink, raffle prizes, hands-on activities and performances by Ballet Folklórico and Andy y su Orquesta Callao, a 10-member salsa group based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The free event starts at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. The following day, RPM will also serve as the setting for Korean Night, a cultural and networking event hosted as part of the K-Nevada Gateway Program that will bring together Korean startups, Nevada business and innovation stakeholders, investors, university representatives, government partners and community members. The free event will feature a keynote speech, a Korean startup showcase and networking opportunities, as well as a performance by K-Pop group Kandis, starting at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30. An RSVP is required to attend the event. Go to this link to sign up. For other details, go to www.renopublicmarket.com or www.renostartupweek.com/headlineevents.
The return of The Aquabats
The “world’s greatest superhero rock band” The Aquabats bring their “Trick-or-Treat to the Beat” tour to Reno for an evening of Halloween-season hijinks. Known for their Paul Frank-designed “power belts,” trademark rash guards, black eye masks and “anti-negativity” helmets, the group offers a mix of ska, surf and punk-influenced music, with onstage antics and a comical backstory about being a crime-fighting band of superheroes. With more than 30 years of live performances, seven studio albums and a Daytime Emmy Award-winning TV show under their power belts, the blue-suited musical crusaders remain committed to their mission to fight the forces of evil and boredom. The Aquabats, along with support from CJ Ramone and The Fast Movers (fronted by former Ramones bassist CJ Ramone) and sullvn, will perform at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, at Cargo Concert Hall, 255 N. Virginia St. General admission tickets to the all-ages show and costume party are $30. Go to www.cargoreno.com or this TicketWeb link for more information.
11 Days a Week is written and compiled by Kelley Lang. Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@renonr.com for consideration. Email advertising@renonr.com for advertising info!
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