Fourth Annual Opening Days Lake Tahoe Marks Official Launch of Summer Season June 21-22
Block Party on Hwy 50, Family Activities, Miss Hawaiian Tropic Pageant, Sternwheeler Race, Flying Elvi Skydive Team, Freestyle Motocross Jumping all Highlight Opening Days Lake Tahoe
The two-day event will be highlighted by the Block Party on Highway 50 at Stateline, along with the return of the Freestyle Moto-X Rock Show, Miss Hawaiian Tropic Northern Nevada State Finals, the Tahoe Queen vs. M.S. Dixie II Sternwheeler race, Harley and hot rod displays, parasail competition, boat parade, street performers, headliner concerts, and 24-hour indoor and outdoor activities.
Traffic will be temporarily detoured from Highway 50 to a non-stop, one-way loop road behind the casino corridor. Click here for a map of the detour.
SATURDAY EVENTS:
The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority has planned two jam-packed days with high energy events, including three stages of live music and entertainment on Saturday from 12 – 5 p.m. kicking off the Summer Season – a party of this scale spans across four blocks.
The lovely ladies of Hawaiian Tropic return to strut their stuff and soak in the summer sun at South Lake Tahoe. The bronzed beauties will heat up center stage for the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Northern Nevada State Pageant. Reggae sounds of Tosh Meets Marley will have the crowd grooving for the remainder of the afternoon.
Back by popular demand the Xtremely Amped Freestyle Motorcross stunt jumping daredevils will show off their tricks during any one of the three performances on the Hard Rock Café Stage in front of MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. In between stunts, live music and variety acts will keep the audience on its feet. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait it’s the Flying Elvi landing on the streets during the Block Party.
In order to accommodate the massive block party, a third stage is being added on the California side in front of the Heavenly Gondola. The California Stage will be “Where the Streets Have No Name” with a U2 cover band, Zoo2, performing several sets from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Recreation Expo caters to adventure seekers and families offering an afternoon of hands on experiences, including a Bounce House, Rock Climbing Wall and Photo Booths. The Expo will provide information on the best places for boating, swimming, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and other fun-filled activities around Lake Tahoe. New this year is the Art Show where local artists and galleries will have their art on display and available for purchase. In addition, the Craft Fair with unique and creative jewelry, decorations and trinkets will be in front of the Horizon Casino.
The Block Party will also feature custom Harley and Hot Rod Displays, lining both sides of the street. Those interested in entering the Harley/Hot Rod competition should contact Tom Argo at 530-541-7300.
The action continues into the evening with Smokey Robinson, Motown legend, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Winner. The American R&B soul singer-songwriter will perform at 8 p.m. at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. For ticket information visit: www.montbleuresort.com.
SUNDAY EVENTS:
Tradition calls with the annual Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race. The area’s two largest vessels grace the waters to battle for Lake supremacy. The Tahoe Queen will defend its title, while the M.S. Dixie II hopes to close the gap in the 7-5 series. In the past the start was staggered; however, this year both will start at the same time and race a new course. The battle will begin at 11 a.m., and VIP guests on the losing vessel will walk the plank and plunge into the Lake! This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Tahoe Queen, the paddlewheeler completely overhauled for the race. The public is invited onboard with tickets available at $25 per person, including the race and breakfast.
Action-filled lake activities continue to make a splash Sunday from 11 a.m. – noon with the Disney Boat Parade and annual boat christenings, welcoming the opening of summer boat season. Hosted by the South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club and the Tahoe Windjammers Yacht Club, members will parade their vessels along the shoreline before passing between the two sternwheelers. Onlookers will see decorative sailboats, yachts, cigarette boats, and parasail boats as they ply Tahoe’s azure waters. The World’s Highest Parasailing Competition takes flight at 9 a.m. as parasailers tackle an obstacle course high above the Lake.
Guests are encouraged to use alternative means of transportation to get to all Opening Days Lake Tahoe activities. The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) will offer complimentary Bicycle Valet service for cyclists wishing to store their bike during the Block Party. The LTBC is a citizen advocacy organization dedicated to building Lake Tahoe into a bicycle friendly destination for recreation and transportation. Other alternatives include the BlueGo shuttle or the Nifty Fifty Trolley, leaving the driving to the professionals. Schedules and information can be found at www.BlueGo.org.
Opening Days Lake Tahoe is the first of several summer activities around South Shore. Upcoming events include Lights on the Lake - Fourth of July Fireworks, 19th Annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship July 8 – 13, 19th Annual Lake Tahoe Air Fest June 28, Geocaching Treasure Hunt June 28-29, and Labor Day Fireworks, Aug. 30. Sponsors of this year’s Opening Days Lake Tahoe include Hard Rock Café and the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
For more information about any of the Opening Days Lake Tahoe activities, call the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463), or visit the Web site at www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Set high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, South Shore Lake Tahoe offers one of the World’s most unique destinations, combining spectacular natural beauty and a plethora of outdoor activities along with 24-hour nightclubs, fine dining, gaming and superstar entertainment. The region’s naturally beautiful white-capped granite peaks reaching nearly 10,000 feet, emerald green forests, and indigo blue waters draw vacationers year-round from around the world to experience the best in outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and riding, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, and mountain biking as well as to enjoy the dynamic nightlife. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at South Shore Lake Tahoe, call the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or log onto www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.
Access to Blue Lake Tahoe
The Reno/Tahoe International Airport provides 180 daily flights with nonstop service to 17 destinations, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Salt Lake City. An additional 20 destinations are serviced via direct, one-stop flights from RTIA. The airport is just 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe and is accessible via the South Tahoe Express, a luxury shuttle service. The Lake Tahoe Airport is a year-round all-weather facility with professional services located in South Lake Tahoe, CA for the general aviation and corporate executive traveler