November features many festivals

Special events jam November calendars, luring Southern Nevadans outdoors to enjoy the bright, balmy days of autumn on the desert. Next weekend, for instance, activities deserving notice include art festivals in Logandale and Boulder City, a Mountain Man Rendezvous in Red Rock and a Native American powwow in Las Vegas. So many events; so little time.

Head for historic Logandale in the verdant Moapa Valley for the annual Pomegranate Art Festival either Friday or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reach Moapa Valley, drive north from Las Vegas on Interstate 15 to the Logandale-Overton turnoff onto Highway 167, a distance of about 60 miles.

The festival centers on the Old Logandale School, a restored building where generations of Moapa Valley youngsters attended school.

Conceived more than a decade ago as a means of making money for an arts scholarship fund, the Pomegranate Arts Festival features the work of local artists and the ruby-red jelly made for the festival from the fruit of local pomegranate bushes.

Boulder City artists display their work during the Winterfest Art Show on Saturday and Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the city's gymnasium and recreation center at 900 Arizona St. Sponsored by the Boulder City Art Guild, the free show features fine arts as well as crafts, including those suitable for holiday decor and gifts. Unlike the large Boulder City art event in October annually, the smaller venue showcases work by local artists and craftsmen.

Located just 30 minutes from Las Vegas on U.S. 93, Boulder City dates from the years when Hoover (Boulder) Dam was constructed. Nevada's first planned community, the former company town boasts an attractive downtown core of businesses and government buildings surrounded by picturesque housing districts in the historical area. Visitors might even plan to board the restored Nevada Southern Railroad, for short excursions run several times a day on weekends from a depot off the highway on the way into Boulder City.

An annual event, the Mountain Man Rendezvous at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park draws crowds to the Red Rock area west of Las Vegas. On Saturday and Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., costumed mountain men and families re-create a colorful time when the Old West's fur trappers gathered to sell their furs, buy supplies, swap stories, best each other in contests and socialize.

The state park occupies a historic ranch once owned by an early frontiersman, "Old Bill" Williams. Follow the extension of Charleston Boulevard west into the Red Rock area, then south in front of the colorful cliffs to the park's gate less than 20 miles from town. Expect to pay the park's $5 entry fee. Park and head for the upper pasture area occupied by the encampment.

The rendezvous promises plenty of action. Watch demonstrations and contests of skill in handling the tools of the early fur trappers -- tomahawks, knives, lances, bow and arrows, black powder rifles and use of the atlatl, a Native American spear throwing device.

During the International Powwow, Friday through Nov. 9, Native Americans from many tribal groups gather for traditional music, dance and ceremonies in costume at Sam Boyd Stadium off Boulder Highway. Following registration and opening ceremonies Friday, events will be open to the public Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to mid-afternoon. Organizers charge a $10 entrance fee. Expect traditional foods, crafts and skills demonstrations during this colorful event.

Margo Bartlett's column appears on Sundays.