As temperatures cool, activities heat up in the valley

It’s that time of the year.

Temperatures are dropping, and this weekend our clocks will give us an extra hour.

Fall has arrived. It’s the time of year area master-planned communities commemorate with several events for residents and non-residents alike.

Ascaya

Henderson’s new luxury community, Ascaya, celebrates fall on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. The community invites people to preview the neighborhood while sipping wine and enjoying magnificent views during its “Vino with a View.”

Lake Las Vegas

Lake Las Vegas continues its Fall Festival through November with special events at MonteLago Village.

Daily through Nov. 27, free children’s activities are offered from 10 a.m. to sundown, including a pumpkin patch, hay bale maze, trick-or-trike tricycle course and a giant corn pile.

On Nov. 5, the community is hosting a full day of activities. Children can enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo starting at 1 p.m. From noon to 4 p.m., the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club will display some of the finest cars built by the Auburn Automobile Co. from the 1920s to 1930s. Foodies can enjoy Seasons Market’s Seafood Roadshow from noon to 7 p.m. Stay for the free Fall Festival Square Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit funatlakelasvegas.com.

The La Contessa Yacht sets sail Nov. 18 for a cruise around Lake Las Vegas. Guest can indulge in creamy chocolate paired with smooth tequila for a two-hour experience presented by Sonrisa Grill and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Aptly named the Tequila and Chocolate cruise, it features a live DJ and professional photography. General admission tickets are $29, which includes the tasting.

Skye Canyon

Skye Canyon offers a preview of its new homes during a special “après ski themed” “Pray for Snow” event Nov. 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. Partnering with Lee Canyon, the “Fit Lives Here” event features prizes, a gourmet hot cocoa station, chili with a variety of toppings, s’mores, and live music with local artists.

“The event is a kickoff to the upcoming ski and snowboard season,” Troy Meier, general manager Skye Canyon Park said. “It’s free and open to people of all ages.”

Skye Canyon guests can visit each of the homebuilders in the community for a chance to get a raffle ticket. Builders include Pardee Homes, Woodside Homes, Century Communities and Pulte Homes.

Providence

This year’s highlight at Providence is the Providence Pride 10th anniversary celebration Nov. 19 from noon to 6 p.m. Open to the public, different activities will be held at all three neighborhood parks; Promenade, Huckleberry and Knickerbocker. Shuttle service will be provided between each of the venues.

“It should be a great event with something to do for people of all ages as we celebrate the past 10 years and look forward to the next,” said Jenna Bell, lifestyle director of the Providence Master Homeowners Association.

Inspirada

Inspirada is hosting “Holiday Inspirations” Nov. 19 and 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event features speakers and samplings of new holiday décor trends for interior and exterior spaces.

Guests are welcome to tour five professionally decorated model homes starting Nov. 19 through the end of the year. All five Inspirada will participate: Beazer Homes, Century Communities, KB Home, Pardee Homes and Toll Brothers.

“Inspirada is committed to offering a vibrant, active lifestyle to all residents,” said Deanna Konrad, community manager for Inspirada. “Which includes a roster of exciting community events, particularly during the fall and holiday season.”

MacDonald Highlands

Thanksgiving morning brings the third annual DragonRidge Turkey Trot to MacDonald Highlands DragonRidge Country Club. The trot provides the opportunity to walk or run the 5K or 1-mile course.

Summerlin

The public is invited to a community tree-lighting ceremony in Downtown Summerlin on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. The event is headlined by USA BMX Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields, followed by the return of the popular annual holiday parade at Downtown Summerlin. The event also marks the arrival of Santa Claus and includes holiday pop-up performances of “The Nutcracker” by Nevada Ballet Theatre.

“From our holiday parade and photos with Santa, to our Rock Rink ice skating rink and a special four-night Chanukah celebration in partnership with the Jewish Community Center, we’ve got the holidays covered for just about everyone,” said Danielle Bisterfeldt, Summerlin vice president of marketing.

The parade takes place at 6 p.m. for 17 nights: Nov. 18, 19, 25, 26; Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10 and nightly Dec. 16 to 24. All shows are free and open to the general public.

Downtown Summerlin’s Rock Rink, located near the Pavilion on The Lawn, is open through mid-January nightly from 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Farmer’s markets

The movement toward healthier living has area master-planned communities hosting farmer’s markets, a feature becoming a more prominent in new and existing developments.

“One of the hottest concepts in residential development is Agrihoods,” said Senior Fellow at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, DC Ed McMahon. “These are master-planned communities that are designed around (at least in part) working farms or in smaller projects: community gardens.”

McMahon said this growing trend is being driven by several factors including the foodie movement, people wanting fresh and locally sourced, rising interest in sustainability and community well-being.

“Community well-being is one of the biggest reasons for the growth of farmers markets in master-planned communities because this concept is about more than growing and selling food,” McMahon said. “It’s also about meeting your neighbors and growing community and social well-being.”

Inspirada

Inspirada is the site for the area’s newest farmers market. Partnering with Fresh52, the market opened Oct. 22 in Aventura Park to a crowd of more than 1,000. The market will return Nov. 12 and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Inspirada is a new master-planned community with a lot of perks, including families that really wanted this,” said Carrie Hogan, founder and manager of fresh52 Farmers Markets said. “Inspirada pursued fresh52 to bring the market to their community. It’s a place where the families of Inspirada can meet their neighbors, and enjoy each other’s company on a Saturday afternoon.”

Green Valley Ranch

The master-planned community Green Valley Ranch in Henderson hosts two farmer’s markets: Main Street at The District on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. from March through June and September through December; and the year-round weekly farmer’s market located in the Henderson Pavilion parking lot every Friday.

Summerlin

Summerlin offers two farmer’s markets. Las Vegas Farmer’s Market at Summerlin’s Gardens Park is hosted by The Summerlin Council (the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Association) as well as the Downtown Summerlin Farmer’s Market.

“It has proven very popular with patrons and encourages everyone to get outside early Saturday morning to enjoy fresh air and fresh food,” said Halee Harczynski, director of marketing for The Howard Hughes Corp.

Skye Canyon

Skye Canyon included a farmer’s market during its grand opening event in March.

“Skye Canyon plans to continue hosting events that include farmer’s markets,” said Troy Meier, general manager of Skye Canyon Park. “Most likely in the spring when produce is more readily available.”