1. Arts In Bloom Festival
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (775) 353-2991
Description: Arts in Bloom honors mothers with an eclectic arts and crafts show on Mothers Day. With colorful exhibits artistically arranged along the waterfront, the festival is also a celebration of spring and all that it promises for the coming year. When the weather cooperates, this event can be a wonderful way for families to spend quality time together, especially treating moms to a special day. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Sparks Hometowne Farmers’ Market
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (775) 353-2291
Description: An old-fashioned farmers’ market is held every Thursday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. starting in the middle of June and running until late August. More than 120 vendors offer fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, specialty foods, and breads. You can also enjoy cooking demos, a children’s play area, homegrown music, and a friendly atmosphere. This farmers’ market is a favorite hangout for Insiders. Bring plenty of cash for the great fruits and veggies.
3. Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Finals
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 367-7366, (407) 628-4802
Description: The world’s best wakeboarders compete during this two-day event at Sparks Marina Park. You can bring the whole family and enjoy a picnic and walk around the lake while viewing the acrobatics of the competitors. This area of Sparks has seen a lot of redevelopment in the past couple of years, with upscale condos and restaurants now lining the shore of the lake.
4. The Best In The West Nuggetrib Cook-Off
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (775) 356-3428, (800) 648-1177
Description: About 300,000 people crowd into Victorian Square in Sparks over the five-day Labor Day weekend each year to munch on some of the best barbecue ribs you’ll find anywhere in the world. And along with consuming about 130,000 pounds of ribs during the event, spectators also enjoy free headliner entertainment and shop at 200 different crafts booths. Even though the cook-off is great fun and has fantastic food for spectators, the participants get down to serious business. About 25 barbecue cookers from all over the United States and the world compete for the title of “Best in the West” and the $7,500 Grand Prize. So for some cookers it’s not all fun and games. But for those of us who like barbecue, it’s a chance to taste a variety of finger-lickin’-good ribs.
5. Sparks Turkey Trot
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (775) 353-7898
Description: For a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast, you can work off the calories before sitting down to dinner by participating in the Sparks Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. The popularity of this run/walk event that benefits local charities has continued to grow over the past few years. The action starts at 8:30 a.m. and is over in plenty of time to sit down to a turkey dinner. One note of caution: Be sure to dress for cold weather as the temperatures can be very chilly that early in the morning this time of year.
6. Sparks Hometowne Christmas
City: Sparks, NV
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (775) 353-2291
Description: This is the only Christmas event in Nevada that has a parade complete with all the local political figures and Santa Claus. This annual Christmas celebration is sponsored by the city of Sparks and includes a crafts fair, holiday music, and a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony in the evening followed by group caroling. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and is a wonderful time for the entire family. It’s usually held in early December.