Events
Positively Fourth Street
The merchants on fourth street are tired of fourth street’s reputation. They want you to know 4th street is a lively street of local businesses, not hookers and bums. To combat the image of fourth street, local business owners created the annual event, which will consist of an open-air market between Center St. and Wells Ave. This year, Positively Fourth Street is Occurring tomorrow, Saturday 6/14/14 from 10am until 9pm.
The primary businesses behind this initiative are Bodega Nightclub, Bootleg Courier Co, Cuddleworks, Reno Bike Project, Under The Rose and Valley Arts. The event will consist of a farmers market, public art installations, kids activities, a pop-up dining experience, biking, bus tours and more. Local restaurants Homage, Campo and Süp will serve brunch, and Heritage and Tournant will serve dinner in the Cuddle Works art space. Be sure to check out Porterbeer Ice Cream, Reno’s first bicycle-based ice creamery. How much does it cost you ask? Nothing, it’s free. Enjoy the event on your own schedule.
In addition to what I’ve already mentioned, there will be a beer garden at the back of Under the Rose Brewery. The food trucks the Electric Blue Elephant and Full Belly Deli will be there to provide food. Kids activities will include dunk tanks, petting zoo and kids art. String Beings four-piece will perform in the back alley in the evening. There will also be a backpack drive for Volunteers of America. Anyone who donates a backpack or school supplies will receive a 1 year membership to the Reno Bike Project or dollar off beer specials at Under the Rose. A list of the events can be seen to the left. (Photo Credit.)
It’s nice to see members of Reno taking charge to change perceptions. It’s something the city desperately needs. It would be great if the 4th street initiative were extended to all of downtown. Although I respect this initiative, I don’t know that it would entice me personally. If I had kids, the event would probably be much more appealing. Would you like to see more initiatives to change perceptions while promoting local businesses in Reno? If so, leave me a comment and let me know what you have in mind.
BBQ, Blues and Brews
I just heard about this event and I’m excited to check it out, as it’s 3 amazing things in one festival. The name really hits it home: BBQ food, 50 microbreweries and blues music. Musicians will include: “John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band and Friends, including Alex Ligertwood of Santana and Wally Palmer of The Romantics.” The BBQ Blue and Brews festival will be held on June 20-21 from 2-8pm.
If you’re rich you can buy a VIP pass for $100 single day pass, or a $120 2 day pass, which will include:
- One commemorative tasting mug with unlimited beer tasting wrist band
- One 64oz Growler filled once with choice of Brew Brothers micro beer
- One BBQ platter from main food booth
- *Two day pass includes unlimited beer tasting wrist band for both days.
I’m going to elect for the $30 1 day tasting package. There will be microbreweries from around the world. Last year’s list included: “Battle Born, Lagunitas, Sam Adams, Anheuser-Busch, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Alaskan Brewing Co., Kona Brewing Co., High Sierra Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery, Moab Brewery, Lost Coast Brewery and many more.” Since the ElDorado is sponsoring the event, beers on tap from Brew Brothers will also be available.
There will be 2 stages for music. On Friday the music starts at 3pm and ends at 7pm. On Saturday the music starts at 11am and ends at 7pm. I don’t recognize a single person on the line up, but I can appreciate any good blues music. If I’m drinking good beer and the music is good, I don’t need to recognize the musicians. You can see the lineup, and photo credit, HERE.
Although the festival itself sounds great, I have bigger plans for the day. I want to assemble a large group to float the river from Mayberry park to downtown before proceeding to the event. That’s why I love Reno. Where else can you float down a river, get out in the middle of downtown and walk to an awesome event that revolves around good beer, food and music? Nowhere. Have you attended this event in the past? Do you have some feedback to provide? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Nevada Day
I grew up in California and I did my Undergrad in Oregon. We never celebrated the fact that we lived in those places, unlike Nevada. Nevada has an entire day to celebrate being A Nevadian and it’s called Nevada Day. This is a legitimate, state holiday recognized holiday that is celebrated on the last Friday in October. It’s actually the “largest statehood celebration in the nation.”
The history of Nevada Day of Nevada is not very extensive from what I have been able to find. Nevada became a state on October 31 of 1864 and that is the reason behind the celebration. It’s a tradition that never died, even considering every other state achieved the same thing and it happened 150 years ago. The link to the website above describes it as, “It is Nevada’s Heritage Celebration, a gathering of community spirit on the last week of October to salute our state’s past and look ahead to its future.”
On this fine holiday, all government offices, schools and most libraries are closed. Some private businesses also close at their own discretion. So what can you do with an extra day off? In addition to pursuing one of the million things I’ve blogged about, you can partake in the variety of Nevada day activities, which occur all weekend long. The most popular and recognizable event is the parade in Carson city. (Photo Credit)
The parade day starts with an 8am hot air balloon launch on Carson street near the Carson Mall. At 10am, military planes fly overhead and that signals the official start to the parade. The parade begins at the intersection of William and Carson Streets and it usually concludes between 1pm or 2pm. The parade is comprised of floats, marching bands and a variety of entertainment. There are usually around 200 entries for contributors to the parade.
let’s have a philosophical discussion for a second: Nevada is one of the whackiest and weirdest places in terms of its laws and culture. However we have the biggest celebration in the country for being the whackiest and the weirdest, and it’s brings all of us gun-slinging Nevadians together. How unique and awesome is that? Very. I love being different. What do you think state celebrations in other states would entail? I bet Oregon would have a lot of tye-dye booths and hemp products… Leave me a comment and let me know!
Upcoming Reno Events
The weekend is approaching and you’re looking for something to do. You’re feeling adventurous and therefore you’re seeking something new. Where do you look to learn about events happening around here? Below I will discuss some events coming up in the near future, and you can bookmark the sites for your future reference. (Photo Credit)
I don’t know much about this event, as I discovered it recently. From what i can gather, you pay for a ticket and you get to taste food at all of the 20 restaurants participating in the “Riverwalk District.” Since everybody likes to eat, theoretically everybody would like this event. It’s certainly a way to try new restaurants while adding a unique element to the day. This event is taking place May 3rd from 1-4pm.
This is an annual event, taking place this year on May 10th. If you’re into kayaking, this will probably be an enjoyable spectacle. If you’re like most people, you will go for the atmosphere. There are a ton of people, music, food and other small business vendors. I personally prefer activities with more adventure, but it can be a fun activity with a family. You can also click the event calendar on this website to see everything happening by the date. (Photo Credit)
3. Bob Saget
You can always check the Casino websites for entertaining events, but I learned about this one from a billboard. If you have never seen some of Bob Saget’s comedy, you should check it out. He’s very funny, and wildly inappropriate. The link to Bob Saget’s page is the Grand Sierra’s event calendar. If you’re not a Saget fan, perhaps one of the shows at other casinos will toot your horn. Check out events at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, The Silver Legacy,The El Dorado, and The Harrah’s.
The title of this place really gives it away. Coming up on May 3rd is Reno Ultimate Combat which is MMA cage fighting, (like UFC.) If you like watch bald guys punch each other because they’re angry about having no hair, this is for you. I’m just kidding, MMA fighting is pretty badass. If you don’t find anything cool on the Reno Event Center website, maybe you will prefer this website about downtown Reno events.
Hopefully this will give you a few more ideas to keep you and your date occupied in the coming month. There is a lot more happening in the Biggest Little City than many people realize. You have to be proactive to track down the good events and find the best musicians/comedians visiting Reno. If you would like to thank me for the wonderful ideas above, you can retweet this post and then buy me a beer next time you see me out and about.
The Biggest Little Secret 