Getaways Calendar, July 2015
Through Sept. 5, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespeare Festival. This summer’s plays are “King Lear,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Henry IV, Part 2,” “Amadeus,” “Charley’s Aunt” and “South Pacific.” Matinees and evening performances available. Dark Sundays. Additional shows planned in the fall. 800-752-9849. www.bard.org.
Monday through July 5, Prescott, Ariz.: 128th annual Prescott Frontier Days, world’s oldest rodeo. This year’s theme is “Spirit of the Frontiersman.” Prescott’s biggest event of the year includes rodeo performances, trail rides, parade, fireworks, fine arts and crafts fair, dances and live entertainment. 928-445-3103. www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.
Wednesday through Aug. 1, Reno: 2015 Artown. This art festival is growing every year and features more than 500 events. Artists from around the world will showcase their talents in the visual, performing and humanities arts. Various venues. 775-322-1538. www.renoisartown.com.
Friday, Saturday and July 5, Elko: Annual National Basque Festival. This event features traditional Basque dance, music, food and Old Country games such as handball, weightlifting and wood chopping. Elko Basque Club and other venues. 775-233-3178. www.elkobasqueclub.com.
Saturday, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Big Bear Fireworks Show. This is the largest Fourth of July fireworks display in Southern California and can be viewed from anywhere on or along the lake and from most of the town. The fireworks will be shot from a barge on the lake. 909-866-4607. www.bigbear.com.
Saturday, Laughlin: 25th annual Rockets over the River. A spectacular 20-minute fireworks display launched over the Colorado River and choreographed to music on a high-fidelity sound system. 702-298-3321. www.visitlaughlin.com.
Saturday and July 5, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 82nd Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture. Hopis gather to sell their wares at more than 65 booths and to show off their skilled techniques in a variety of mediums. Storytelling, music, dancing and American Indian food. Museum of Northern Arizona. 928-774-5213. www.musnaz.org.
Saturday through July 19, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: 10th annual Wildflower Festival. This monthlong festival takes place during peak wildflower season. Take part in guided hikes, workshops on edible plants and kids’ scavenger hunts. 435-586-9451. www.nps.gov/cebr/.
Saturday through Sept. 5, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Star Parties. Park staff and astronomy volunteers conduct these events featuring telescopes set up to view the night sky. The program starts at the park’s visitor center and then heads out to Point Supreme. Saturday nights, weather permitting. 435-586-0787. www.nps.gov/cebr/.
July 8-Aug. 8, Cedar City, Utah: Neil Simon Festival. Plays this season include Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song” and “Chapter Two” along with “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue and “I’m Not Rappaport” by Herb Garner. Matinee and evening performances available. Heritage Center Theater. 435-267-0194. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.
July 10, Cedar City and Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Cedar Mountain Wildflowers. Participants will take a wildflower tour starting in Cedar City and traveling up through the many life zones to Cedar Breaks. Reservations required. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.
July 10-11, Boulder, Utah: Boulder Heritage Festival. This is a celebration of the community’s arts, crafts, music and history. The festival takes place at Anasazi State Park, a treat to visit in itself, where the first known inhabitants of this area lived. 435-335-7550. www.boulderheritage.org.
July 10-August 23, Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This year’s plays are “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Fantasticks.” Sand Harbor State Park. 775-832-1616. www.laketahoeshakespeare.com.
July 11, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Chili Cook-Off. Come taste red chili, chili verde and homemade salsas made for this competition. This event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Bartlett Street parking lot in Big Bear Village. 442-243-1880. www.oldminers.org.
July 11, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Photography at Cedar Breaks. Join photographer Michael Plyler for a day learning the best way to photograph the park’s stunning wildflower displays. Plyler will discuss capturing the big vistas versus close-up shots. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.
July 11, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: Wildflower Journaling at Cedar Breaks. Join instructor Sandy Bell for a day in the park, where you will learn some of the best ways to record your experiences. No prior writing or drawing experience is required. Tools, materials and methods of writing will be covered. Reservations necessary. Zion Canyon Field Institute. 800-635-3959. www.zionpark.org.
July 18, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: The Big Bear PaddleFest. This festival features clinics and races for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on Big Bear Lake. This event is open to all levels of paddlers. The Pines Lakefront. 909-866-3414. www.bigbearpaddlefest.com.
