Go To Lake Tahoe
Incline Village on Lake Tahoe's north shore is a mere 35 miles southwest of Reno. Just visiting this part of the lake is outstanding, but if you want to explore further, read my article with directions for driving around Lake Tahoe and other information and facts about this High Sierra scenic wonder and playground. Be prepared to share the road with lots of other drivers if you opt for the circumnavigation; the Lake Tahoe Basin gets plenty of visitors on holiday weekends.Black Rock Rendezvous: May 24 - 26
Here's your chance to learn more about the incredible Black Rock Desert, located within the BLM-administered Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyou Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (or just NCA for short). This is three days of environmental workshops, tours of significant area features, history, camping, food, and live music under starry desert skies. Friends of Black Rock High Rock are the main organizers, with assistance from organizations such as the Bureau of Land Management, Desert Research Institute, Burning Man Earth Guardians, Nevada Outdoor School, and several others.Everything starts on Saturday, May 24, 100 miles north of Reno in Gerlach, Nevada. A schedule of events, directions, and maps are available at the Black Rock Rendezvous website. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. If you plan on doing the campout, your RSVP is requested.
Things To Do Nearby
Reno Turkish Festival and Ferhat Atli ConcertTurkish food, music, and dancing in downtown Reno's Wingfield Park on Sunday, May 25 starting at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to this free event. Learn more at the Sierra Foundation website or call (775) 229-5752.
Reno Russian Festival
The Russian Festival will be at the Reno Family YMCA, 1300 Foster Dr. in Reno. It's noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Admission is $10, kids under 6 are free. The event is sponsored by the Russian - American Cultural Society and will feature arts, crafts, music, and circus performers. Call (775) 329-6702 for information.
Celebration of Heroes Parade in Virginia City
The parade starts at noon Saturday, May 24 and will travel down C St., Virginia City's main drag. Motorcycles and fast cars will also be in Virginia City for the Memorial Day holiday.
Parks and Recreation Areas
Our Reno / Tahoe region has excellent public parks suitable for everything from a quiet walk to big family gatherings. We are also surrounded by public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, offering a multitude of possible outdoor adventures.
Great Basin Adventure Park
Great Basin Adventure Park is inside Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 N. Sierra St. in Reno. On Saturday, May 25, the park will open its new Basque Camp cultural exhibit. People arriving between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday during the exhibit's opening ceremonies will receive free admission. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend, each paid admission will get a free log flume ride. For more information, call (775) 785-4844.
Wild Island Family Adventure Park
Wild Island Family Adventure Park in Sparks will be open over the weekend, including on Memorial Day. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information about rates and all the things you can do, visit the Wild Island Family Adventure Park website. The park phone number is (775) 359-2927.
Save Fuel and Money If You Are Driving
About.com's Southwest U.S. Travel guide Elizabeth Mitchell has produced an excellent article covering a number of topics related to vacation driving. It's titled Gasoline Prices in the Southwestern United States, but there's a whole lot more worth considering.Visit Memorial Parks and Cemeteries
These are Reno / Tahoe remembrances to the men and women in uniform who have died serving their communities and country.
Carson City: Memorial Day Service at Lone Mountain Cemetery
The service, in the veteran's section, will be at 1 p.m. on Memorial Day. The cemetery is located at 1044 Beverly Dr., Carson City, Nevada 89706. Call (775) 887-2111 for more information.
Memorial Day Services at Truckee Cemetery
The Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will hold a service at 10 am to honor all fallen service men and women. The cemetery is located at 10370 E. Jibboom St., Truckee, CA 96161. Call (530) 587-4811 for more information.
Sparks Memorial Park
Memorial Park is at C St. and Pyramid Way. This park has memorials honoring Sparks residents who died defending our country. There is also a bronze statue in remembrance of fallen firefighters.
Powning Park in Reno
Powning Park, in downtown Reno at 150 S. Virginia Street, has a memorial to Nevada service men and women who have died serving our country in the wars in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflicts of the past. The park also features a statue of General Jesse Reno, who died in Civil War action and for whom Reno was named.
Reno Firefighters Memorial This memorial has the names of fallen Reno firefighters. It is in front of the main Reno fire station at 200 Evans St. and 2nd St. If you want to visit this memorial, go now; the fire station will soon be torn down to make way for Reno's new AAA baseball stadium.
James D. Hoff Peace Officers Memorial
This memorial is located in a quiet corner of Idlewild Park. Parking is nearby if you enter the park on Cowan Dr. from Idlewild Dr.
Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
This cemetery is about 30 miles east of Reno on I80. It is located at 14 Veterans Way, Fernley, NV 89408. Call (775) 575-4441 for information.
