Each month, the Washoe County Library and Nevada Museum of Art have a huge variety of events and activities suitable for the whole family. Many are free.
May, 2012
Note: After playing in May since its inception, the Reno River Festival is moving to June 15 through June 17 in 2012. It's the same great festival and there will be some new events.
- Saturday and Sunday, 5 - 6
Cinco de Mayo Reno Celebration
This Cinco de Mayo Festival is northern Nevada's biggest annual celebration of Mexican heritage. It will be at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, in the southeast parking area. Admission is $5 for adults and all entertainment is free. Bring the family and join the party on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 12
Great Truckee Meadows Community Clean Up
Join KTMB, Washoe County, the cities of Reno and Sparks, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, BLM, USFS, Waste Management and numerous other partners and volunteer groups to clean up our area open spaces. The 6th annual Great Truckee Meadows Community Cleanup is on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. After the clean up, there will be a celebration picnic for all volunteers. There are locations throughout the Truckee Meadows. Find the one closest to you and Sign up to Volunteer. For more information, call (775) 851-5185.
- Sunday, May 13
Mother's Day in Reno
There are many Mother's Day around Reno, with something sure to suit most every Mom. Part of the fun, of course, is taking her out for Mother's Day dining at one of our area's excellent restaurants.
- Friday through Sunday, May 18 - 20
Spring Wings Festival in Fallon
Oats Park in Fallon (60 miles east of Reno) will be the scene for a weekend of family fun, educational workshops, craft activities, food and a variety of vendors. Guided birding tours will visit the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge to view some of the 280 bird species that have been identified in the Lahontan Valley.
- Sunday, May 20
Eclipse Watching in Reno
The path of an annular eclipse of the sun will pass almost directly over Reno and the Fleischmann Planetarium is sponsoring a free watching party in south Reno at the MacLean Observatory on the Redfield Campus of the University of Nevada. Bring the family and a picnic dinner to enjoy this spectacular solar event.
Reno Kite Festival
The 2012 Reno Kite Festival is a fun family event at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. The event is free and will be from noon to 5 p.m. The first 300 kids get a free kite from Renown Children's Hospital and New Tech Kites from Austin, Texas will have professional stunt flying demonstrations. Stick around after the Festival for solar eclipse viewing starting after 5 p.m. The first 1000 kids will get free solar eclipse viewing glasses. Call (775) 829-1964 for more information.
Reno Turkish Festival
The Reno Turkish Festival will be downtown in Wingfield Park from 12 noon to 6 p.m. The event celebrates the history, food, and music of Turkey. The Turkish Folk Dance group will be performing during the event, along with craftsmen demonstrating various ancient art forms. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Sierra Foundation.
- Thursday through Monday, May 17 - 21
Symbiosis Gathering - Pyramid Eclipse
Another place to commune with the upcoming eclipse is at the Symbiosis Gathering at Pyramid Lake. Check out the website for details on just what this is and what you need to know about tickets, camping, and being a good visitor on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.
- Saturday and Sunday, May 26 - 27
Black Rock Rendezvous
Join the Friends of Black Rock, Nevada Outdoor School, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and other partner groups in the Black Rock Desert for a weekend of fun, education, exploration, music and more. The Black Rock Rendezvous celebrates the diversity of uses, and history of the Black Rock Desert Region while fostering stewardship. The Rendezvous is free and families are welcome to attend. This is a Leave No Trace camping event. Get the details from Friends of Black Rock High Rock, or call (775) 557-2900 for more information. To see what it's like, check out my Black Rock Rendezvous pictures.
