Sample the Sierra

As summer winds down, fall events in Tahoe South are ramping up. And the secret’s out: Fall in Tahoe South is one of the most idyllic times to visit with mild weather, off-season lodging rates, more beach space and numerous events starting Labor Day Weekend.

A record-breaking winter, a full lake and a packed calendar beckons visitors to the Sierra as Tahoe South heats up with summer events including its famed fireworks show, a celebrity golf tournament, star-studded headline concerts and more.

A mountain of star-filled concerts, blockbuster festivals, heart-pounding athletic competitions, fireworks, and tee-to-green celebrity golf action are on-tap this summer at Tahoe South.

Tahoe South Favorites

Don’t be scared. I know you’re going to take one look at this list and get overwhelmed with all the things going on in the area. I’ve written an overview of some of the bigger things here, but take a look below for a complete list of everything that the Carson City area offers.

SATURDAY:

• California Free Fishing Day
• Revolution Dog Sports Rat-tacular Barn Hunt and BattleBorn Bonanza Jack Russell Trials at Fuji Park
• NAA Exhibit by artist Deborah Foster at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Third and Curry Farmers Market; Live Music (8:30am-1pm)

Labor Day Weekend Highlights

Carson City:

• Treasure hunt on Saturday at the Carson City Historical Society Rummage and Yard Sale at the Forman-Roberts House Museum at 1207 N. Carson St. Free tours of the museum will also be available during the 9am-4pm event.
• Take a ride on the Virginia and Truckee #25 Steam Engine at the Nevada State Train Museum Friday through Monday.

The early bird catches the worm and in this case, the early bird gets special pricing for tickets to Lake Tahoe’s only farm-to-fork festival Sample the Sierra.

Early bird tickets for Sample the Sierra are available until August 1 and allow you to attend the festival for just $30 to fully experience dozens of restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries. Tickets will be priced at $40 per person from August 1 until the festival on September 6.

The nomination period for the 2014 Blue Ribbon Awards ended on Friday, Oct. 10. TahoeChamber’s prestigious awards program that recognizes exceptional South Shore businesses received over 175 nominations for eight separate award categories. The finalists and winners will be announced at the 7th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards dinner and ceremony on November 13 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Tickets for the awards ceremony are now available for purchase at www.tahoechamber.org.

Congratulations to the 2014 Blue Ribbon Awards nominees:

Visitors and locals alike will find a variety of activities to enjoy in South Lake Tahoe Sunday, culminating with the Annual Labor Day Fireworks show.

The show features a simultaneous music broadcast that can be heard on local stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL - AM 1490. Show begins at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks are visible from all over town.

Tasting booths will line the streets on this day of pure palate indulgence, featuring the very best chefs and top wineries from the Sierra Nevada region. Explore the town, relax a bit, and treat your taste buds to delicious food samples made with local products which are paired with a local wine or brew of equal quality. Shop for handmade products sold by local vendors, take in the breathtaking sights of the town as you stroll through, and be entertained by live music and the 2nd Annual Sierra Chefs Challenge.

Spend Labor Day Weekend in South Lake Tahoe sampling the best food, wine, and art in the Sierra Nevada Region. The 3rd annual Sample the Sierra farm-to-fork festival will take place on Sunday, Sept. 2 on Ski Run Boulevard.
This year, 15 local restaurants and farmers will be paired together to produce mouthwatering samples for festival-goers to enjoy. Each food sample will be paired with an accompanying wine, also local to the region.

Lake Tahoe South steps into high endurance overdrive this summer with two new outdoor adventure events that celebrate speed, agility and skill — one with feet to the ground and the other rubber to the road.

Sierra Recon, a high-energy, multi-distance obstacle race screaming the amped premise, “Everyone loves carnage” is set for July 14 at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, while the Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride and Rendezvous celebrates the freedom of the wide open road, Aug. 23-26.

Before summer segues to fall, Tahoe South will celebrate a Labor Day last call: an amped-up holiday weekend of non-stop activities on and off the water including a food and wine festival, sternwheeler race, outdoor and showroom concerts and a fireworks extravaganza.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND