Getaways Calendar: February 2015
Western communities celebrate the joys of winter with festivals, athletic events and a very famous cowboy poetry showcase.
Monday through Saturday, Elko: 31st annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. A weeklong celebration of Western life featuring traditional and contemporary arts. Poetry, music and photography will be presented as well as exhibits, workshops and film screenings. Western Folklife Center. 775-738-7508. www.westernfolklife.org.
Wednesday through Feb. 2, Lake Tahoe: Carve Tahoe. An international snow sculpture competition where visitors can watch teams carve 25 tons of snow into works of art. Northstar California Resort. 415-561-4345. www.carvetahoe.com.
Thursday through Saturday, St. George, Utah: St. George Winter Bird Festival. Take part in field trips, workshops, live displays and presentations while enjoying Southwest Utah’s hot spots. Red Cliffs Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Tonaquint Nature Center. 435-673-0966. www.redcliffsaudubon.org.
Saturday, Death Valley National Park, Calif.: Death Valley Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k. The entire event is below sea level on a relatively flat course. This event benefits Beatty High School student organizations. 855-969-5515. www.envirosports.com.
Feb. 2-14, Reno: Reno/Tahoe Senior Winter Games. Dedicated to promoting and implementing fitness in people 50 and older. Competitions range from speedskating to skiing to table tennis with everything in between. Various venues. 775-657-4644. www.reno.gov.
Feb. 4-8, Tubac, Ariz.: 56th annual Tubac Festival of the Arts. The longest-running art festival in the state features hundreds of artists from throughout the country. Horse-drawn trolleys, entertainers and a food court also featured. 520-398-2704. www.tubacaz.com.
Feb. 6-8, Bullhead City, Ariz.: Colorado River Bluegrass Festival. The lineup of bluegrass bands includes Cliff Wagner and the Old No. 7, Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys and Jerry Butler and the Blu-J’s. This festival takes place on the shores of the Colorado River in the 300-acre Rotary Park. 928-763-9400. www.gokingman.com.
Feb. 7-8, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.: 30th annual Winterfest. A weekend of family fun featuring more than 400 booths with crafts, artwork and demonstrations. The festival features a wide variety of entertainment, food and plenty of children’s events. 928-855-4115. www.golakehavasu.com.
Feb. 12-15, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.: Winterblast. During this annual meeting of the Western Pyrotechnics Association, city visitors will be able to watch random launching and detonation of new fireworks, as the association tests various products and shows off its newest mixtures. On Saturday night, visitors can see a spectacular fireworks show. SARA Park. 928-453-3444. www.westernpyro.org.
Feb. 12-15, Wickenburg, Ariz.: 67th annual Gold Rush Days. Head out Wickenburg way to celebrate the town’s gold mining origins. One of the highlights is a parade with more than 125 entries, including 1,000 horses, classic auto floats and marching bands. Other activities include gold panning, a rodeo and a carnival. 928-684-5479. www.wickenburgchamber.com.
Feb. 13-16, Bryce Canyon, Utah: Winter Festival. This annual event features cross-country ski races, an archery clinic and an archery biathlon competition. Snowshoe tours, photography clinics, snow sculptures, children’s fun races and entertainment are also featured. Ruby’s Inn. 866-866-6616. www.rubysinn.com.
Feb. 14, Parker, Ariz.: 24th annual Buckskin Mountain Desert Dash. Enjoy a 5-mile walk, run or mountain bike out to the Nellie E. Saloon. This is a benefit for Parker Rotary Club. 928-669-6511. www.parkertourism.com.
Feb. 14-16, Tombstone, Ariz.: 67th annual Vigilante Days. “The Town Too Tough to Die” celebrates with street entertainment, 1880s fashion show, 10k run, shootouts and chili cook-off. 520-457-3434. www.tombstonevigilantes.com.
Feb. 14, Camp Verde, Ariz.: Buffalo Soldiers. In celebration of African-American Heritage Month, the Buffalo Soldiers will conduct living history and riding presentations. Fort Verde State Historic Park. 928-567-3275. www.azstateparks.com.
Feb. 19-22, Carson Valley: Eagles and Agriculture. This four-day celebration is the valley’s favorite winter event. Learn about bald eagles and owls, and take part in a photography workshop. Various venues. 800-727-7677. www.carsonvalleynv.org.
Feb. 27-March 8, North Lake Tahoe, Calif.: Annual Snowfest. North Lake Tahoe celebrates winter with on- and off-mountain events. The festival includes parades, live music, contests, comedy shows, ski races and a polar bear swim. 530-583-7167. www.tahoesnowfestival.com.
