It’s all about the great outdoors this weekend: urban kayaking in Reno, Cajun-style crawfish in San Diego, or the kick-off to mountain biking season in Colorado will have you soaking in the the spring air.
By Nate Storey
The Reno River Festival May 8-10
Reno, Nevada
River rafting downtown? That’s exactly what’s going down this weekend in northern Nevada when the Reno River Festival takes over the Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield. Minutes away from the casinos and city arts district, the park features 11-drop pools and a class 2-3 course. The action gets underway shortly after noon on Friday with pros facing off at the Open Freestyle competition. Catch a glimpse of the Budweiser Clydesdales before joining in the revelry of the Kick-Off Party, which will feature a kayak movie, live music and booze at West Street Market. Arise with Yoga in the Park early Saturday and get loose. Then hone your kayaking skills at one of the whitewater clinics beginning at 11 am. Load up on carbs, adorn yourself with a ridiculous costume and prepare to get dirty in the afternoon at Run Amuck, a two-person relay race with a 60-foot mud pit ($50). Enjoy the music in the park on Sunday while you take in the paddling frenzy at the Boatercross competition.
Travel and Accommodation
All major airlines fly into Reno-Tahoe International airport. Club Cal Neva (code: RRF) and Terrible’s Sandy Regency (code: Reno River Festival) have rates starting at $49 a night.
Zydeco, Blues, & Crawfish Music and Food Festival, May 8-10
San Diego, California
Creole hits the beach in the form of 8,000 lbs of crawfish at the Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Music and Food Festival ($20) in San Diego this weekend. Become privy to the secrets of celebrated Cajun dishes like seafood gumbo and jambalaya at the cooking demos happening throughout the day on Friday. At 2 pm on Saturday catch the two-time Grammy-nominated Pine Leaf Boys playing a range of music in their authentic Cajun/Zydeco sound on the Festival Stage. At 3 pm, the Curley Taylor Zydeco Accordion Styling Workshop will teach you a thing or two about one of Cajun music’s most prominent instruments. If you’re ready to dust off your dancing shoes, stop by the basic swing workshop at the Festival Stage to sharpen your skills and prevent any devastating faux pas. If you’ve had enough of the southern thing, get your west coast on at any one of Sand Diego’s beautiful beaches.
Travel and Accommodation
San Diego services all major airlines. The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina has special festival rates starting at $109 per night.
Denver Fat Tire Festival, May 9
Lakewood, Colorado
Mountain bikers anxious for a good ride will head to Colorado to launch the biking season on a dynamic track encircling Bear Creek Lake Park. The day long Denver Fat Tire Festival on Saturday opens early at 6:30 am for registration. Bikers should be ready for steep climbs, rolling hills, singletrack and speedy descents. Those more apt for a typical cross-country race should peddle in the Battle the Bear ($45) at 8 am and choose between 10, 20 and 30-mile categories. If you live for pushing your limits then gear up for the Front Race 50 ($70), a 50-mile endurance marathon with a $200 purse. Either way, when you’ve gathered your strength after your ride, check out the newest gear at the product sampling and pick up a few new techniques for your next race at one of the clinics.
Travel and Accommodation
Lakewood is right outside Denver, which serves all major airlines. Bring your camping gear and post-up inside the park for a nominal fee or Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood has rooms starting at $89 a night.
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