Reno Live

By Megg Mueller, reno.com , mmueller@TahoeRenoOnline.com
August 28, 2008

Labor Day, according to the Department of Labor, "is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

So here's to all of us who toil from 8-5. We deserve a long weekend (hell, we deserve them all the time), so let's make the most of it! We covered the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in last week's issue, but it's still going on this week. If you're lucky enough to have tickets for the Rib Village, I know you'll be there. If you don't know what the Rib Village is, I'm not telling you because it'll only break your heart that you can't hang out where you get unlimited food and drinks, plus a place to sit and eat. Oops. Forget I said that.

But even without that VIP treatment, the Cook-Off is a must-do for Labor Day. Head down to Victorian Square, sample a rib or two, listen to some free music and soak up the last weekend of summer, Sparks style.

There's also Journey Unauthorized, playing at the Eldorado Friday night at 9 p.m. This is a cover-band tribute to Steve Perry, et al. I listened to some of their music on the official unauthorized website, and they're pretty good. Since it doesn't seem like we'll get to see the real Mr. Perry fronting the group anytime soon, slap on some spandex and give these impersonators a ride.

If ribs and tunes aren't your thing, and you're craving something unusual to do, the Virginia City Camel Races are gearing up on Thursday. Watching riders get jostled and pitched from the humped beasts (oh, and an ostrich or two) is something anyone can enjoy, as long as they have a pulse. You haven't lived until a camel bares its teeth and tries to spit in your face.

Summer may be leaving us, but two of our biggest special events are still on the horizon, and these are near and dear to my heart. The Great Reno Balloon Race will hit the skies next week for the 27th year. This year's event adds something new, the World's Largest Pajama Party on Saturday, Sept. 6. Since it's so early, you know you want to just roll out of bed and head on down, and this year, it's the right thing to do! Reno.com will be there taking pictures of folks in all their bed-head glory. Oh, and there's a contest for the best bed-head, so drop that brush.

The following week is air show of another sort; the fastest show on Earth, the National Championship Air Races. This five-day event showcases some of the most amazing flying machines you'll ever see. If you've never been, and even if you're not a fan of aviation, you owe it to yourself to check this out. Oh, and wear an orange shirt and ask for directions to Section 3. You'll be glad you did.