Sparks Correspondence – September 2018

Aug. 29-Sep. 8 – Nugget Best in the West Rib Cook-Off

Sparks rolls into September with the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-Off, otherwise known as the “Super Bowl of Ribs.” Thousands of people flock to Victorian Square to indulge in ribs, live music and drinks from 23 of

America’s top pork cookers.

One of our favorite places, Great Basin Brewery, has also been hosting lots of fun events lately, including a free concert with local soul singer and “The Voice” star Whitney Myer, who played on the Downtown Sparks Great Basin stage a couple of weeks ago.

Great Basin (along with other Victorian Square businesses) have no plans of slowing down this month, so after you’ve digested all of the best ribs that the West has to offer, get back out there and walk for a cause, dance, drink, and make some new friends in Sparks.

Sep. 8 – Balloons and Blues Strut

Put on your best Blues Brothers attire and strut through Victorian Square, stopping at your local haunts to enjoy blues tunes along the way. Presented by the Reno Blues Society, just pay five dollars at any of the locations to receive a wristband, drink specials, and live music. During the Balloons and Blues Strut, all of the bars right next to each other including The Cantina, Mummer’s, Paddy & Irene’s, and Great Basin will be hosting their favorite blues and R&B bands. Check out these bands at these locations who will be rocking throughout the night:

The Cantina- The Hellbusters, 7:30-10:30pm

Mummer’s- The Shiskey Preachers, 7:30-10:30pm

Paddy & Irene’s- Blue Haven, 8-11pm

Great Basin- Soul Connection, 8-11pm

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go towards the RBS music scholarship program.

Sep. 16 – Donor Walk and Sep. 22 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Sparks Marina

What better way to get in shape and show your support for the local community than to walk for a cause! The Sparks Marina is the place to be for both Sep. 16th’s Donor Walk and the weekend following for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Put on by the Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness organization (and sponsored by the Dolan Auto Group), the 11th Annual Donor Walk is offered to individuals and teams to showcase the tremendous need for organ, eye, and tissue donations. The event kicks off at 7:30 am and a $30 registration fee includes a goody bag, entertainment, water, and raffle tickets. Sign up today!

On that following Saturday, September 22, the Reno-Sparks 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be at Sparks Marina to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research and those affected by it. Registration will be held at 8am, a ceremony at 9am, and the walk starting at 10am. To start a team, donate, volunteer, or sign up, click here.

Insert Alzheimer’s Walk pic

Sep. 28 – The Premiere of Zig Zag at the Moment Ski Factory

Every year as the temperatures start to drop, ski resort season passes go on sale, and people start to think about dusting off their skis and lovingly gazing towards Mt. Rose, the Moment Ski Factory hosts its annual ski movie premiere. Hundreds of people flock to Sparks’ industrial area, grab a Great Basin beer or two or a snack at one of the food trucks (a couple of years ago Great Basin came out with a beer called Deathwish, named after a pair of Moment Skis), before setting up a lawn chair in the parking lot and watching an action-packed ski flick projected on the side of the factory. This year, Level 1 will present Zig Zag.  For more information, click here.

— Kayla Anderson