This Week

For a complete listing of this week’s events, visit newsreview.com/reno

CELEBRATE our nation’s 238th birthday with barbecues, picnics, parades and, of course, fireworks at your choice of spots this Friday. Here’s a brief list of Fourth of July activities going on in the Reno-Tahoe region. You can start off the holiday with Reno Celebrates America, the largest Independence Day-themed daytime event in the Reno-Sparks area. The RN&R presents the family-friendly gathering and Artown event, which features watermelon- and pie-eating contests, a salute to veterans, a patriotic performance by the Reno Municipal Band, a short pyrotechnic show and music by Jakki Ford & Band, Reno Jazz Band and Jake’s Garage. This event also kicks off RN&R’s Rollin’ on the River concert series. The free festivities begins at 2 p.m. at Wingfield Park, First Street and Arlington Avenue in downtown Reno. Call 324-4440 x 3515 or visit www.newsreview.com/reno.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget will present its 15th annual Star Spangled Sparks. The July 4th celebration features music and entertainment, food vendors, a kids’ activity area, and the largest pyrotechnic show in the Truckee Meadows. The fun begins at 2 p.m. in front of the Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., and along Victorian Avenue in downtown Sparks with the fireworks show starting about 9:30 p.m., depending on wind conditions. Call John Ascuaga’s Nugget at 356-3300 or visit www.janugget.com.

Virginia City will hold its annual Fourth of July Parade starting at noon at the historic Fourth Ward School on the south end of town and proceeding north down C Street. Other events include the Shoot Out on the Hill starting at 1 p.m. across from the Fourth Ward School, the Comstock Cowboys’ Second Amendment Concert at 6 p.m. and again at 7:45 p.m. at the Delta parking lot next to the Bucket of Blood Saloon and a fireworks show starting at dusk at Miners Park. The events are free except for Shoot Out on the Hill which is $35 for tickets. Call 847-7500 or visit www.visitvirginiacitynv.com.

The north shore of Lake Tahoe will present four days of Fourth of July events during its Red, White & Tahoe Blue celebration, which starts on Thursday, July 3. Highlights include a parade, concerts, veterans tribute, Rubber Ducky Races, an ice cream social and a fireworks display over the lake. Most events are free. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 at Incline Beach in Incline Village. Call 298-1010 or visit www.redwhitetahoeblue.org. The south shore will offer Lights Over the Lake Fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m. on July 4. Some of the best viewing spots include Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Bijou Community Park, Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach and Tallac Historic Site. Visit http://tahoesouth.com.

—Kelley Lang

Biggest Little City Wing Fest

Silver Legacy Resort Casino hosts the 13th annual chicken wing competition this Fourth of July weekend. Restaurants and bars will compete to see who has the best sauce and chicken wings with the judges and the public decides who to crown this year’s champ. There will also be wing-eating competitions and live music. Gates are open from noon until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 4-5, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, in front of the Silver Legacy, 407 N. Virginia St. Admission is free. Call 325-7401 or visit www.silverlegacyreno.com.

Sleeping Beauty

Reno Little Theater presents this original, locally written, comic version of the classic fairy tale, told slightly “off the wall” with contemporary references. The free show begins at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Friday-Sunday, July 4-6, at the RLT Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St. Call 813-8900 or visit www.renolittletheater.org.

Biggest Little Music Festival: Redux

This Artown event features performances by Moondog Matinee, Beatles Flashback, Slide Mountain Band, Kung Fu Sophie, Rock Shop, Electric Catfish the Band, Mason Frey, Nicole Oh, The Note-Ables, among others. There will be a bounce house, face painters and a bubble station. The festival begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at Wingfield Park, First Street and Arlington Avenue in downtown Reno. Admission is free but a $5 donation is suggested. Call 324-5521 or visit http://note-ables.org/events/biggest-little-music-festival.