Spring Brings Warmer Weather and Events Galore

By BRIAN K. KROLICKI | March/April 2013

Photo: The Run-A-Mucca motorcycle rally returns to Winnemucca May 24-26.

Dear Friends,

Spring has arrived in Nevada—bringing with it all of the wonderful outdoor activities that Nevadans and visitors alike associate with life in the Silver State.

The winter season has been a good one at our world-class ski resorts, likely allowing snow seekers bonus time on the slopes. Enough fresh powder blanketed our majestic mountains to allow for winter fun for the whole family—skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.

If we’re lucky, we’ll have enough of the white stuff to keep us “schussing” through spring. At Lake Tahoe, there’s nothing quite like gliding down a ski slope in a T-shirt and jeans, with the sun on your back and the glistening crystal blue waters of the lake below. It’s truly a sight to behold and an experience to savor.

For NASCAR fans, the Sprint Cup Series returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 8-10 for its 15th year. As someone who has had the pleasure of attending the event (and kicking off the festivities with more than 100,000 faithful fans), I know that three days of fast cars—followed by nights on the Strip visiting the finest casinos, eating world-class cuisine, and attending performances by some of the biggest names in showbiz—is a thrilling, adrenaline-filled way to spend the weekend.

The Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally, the largest such event in the West, returns for its 31st year in April. The event, which boasts tens of thousands of participants, follows historic Route 66 and runs to the Colorado River and includes concerts, vendors, and charity events. For a motorcycle event in Northern Nevada, be sure to ride up to Winnemucca over Memorial Day Weekend to attend Run-A-Mucca. The 12th year of this event sees the auction of a 2013 Harley-Davidson 110th-Anniversary Limited Edition Road King, a $1,000 Poker Run, live music, stunt bike jumpers, and the burning bike.

April also brings another perennial favorite in the form of the Reno Jazz Festival. The event highlights exceptional students along with professional, well-known artists. Features include an All-Star competition for high school students and clinics covering topics from instrumental and vocal performance to jazz arranging and improvisation. There are also competitions in categories such as big bands, combos, and vocal jazz ensembles.

For many families, spring vacation is the perfect time to load up the car and take a road trip across our great state. There are many fascinating routes (that can also include some educational side trips), such as a trip to Tonopah to stay in the historic, newly reopened Mizpah Hotel, made even more adventurous by traveling to nearby ghost towns such as Goldfield and Rhyolite. You can try to spot friendly visitors from other planets along the Extraterrestrial Highway (State Route 375). Or pay a visit to Great Basin National Park, the only national park solely in Nevada.

These are just a few of the many events and attractions in Nevada as we shed our winter coats and warm up to spring. For more information on events, shows, and exhibits throughout the year, be sure to visit nevadamagazine.com or travelnevada.com.

Brian K. Krolicki
Lieutenant Governor
Chairman—Nevada Commission on Tourism
ltgov.nv.gov