8/27/2025- I can't…read morebelieve it's been a year! A little different with the weather this year, but it could have been hailing.. Minus a star- because we used to be able to park in the garage area- but now it's for high players and & $20.. Lucked out, and parked in the other lot near the freeway. Shocked that we were able to get free VIP tent tickets- ( rarely visit in the area).. how could I say no.. My youngest wasn't able to attend, so I sacrificed and enjoyed AYCE ribs.. I was set on visiting the other vendors to take some ribs home, but I ate too many-.. Rain stopped and enjoyed the festival ! Looking forward to another year..

This was probably an awesome event back in the day prior to all the inflation, but in today's…read moreworld, it's just so-so. The rib cook-off is definitely worth going to at least once, but honestly how many ribs can one eat?? It almost should be called a BBQ sauce smackdown rather than rib cook-off because seems like the sauce is the star nowadays. The ribs itself were ok. It was lacking the smokiness, some were hit or miss, being dry or not fall-off-the-bone tender, or were slathered in so much sweet BBQ sauce that you couldn't even taste the meat. - The juiciest ribs were from Aussom Aussie. - Butch's wasn't what I remembered years ago, not much flavor on the meat but the spicy BBQ sauce was my favorite. - BJ's was a total letdown. The sticky BBQ sauce was too sweet and covered up the too-dry ribs. - Bone Daddy's had a nice sear on the outside and had a bit of a smokiness. - Bison Rib from Montana was huge! But the meat was lean and SO chewy, I looked like a bison chewing on it. The prices now are insane. All samplers are an agreed upon monopolized price of $12 for 3 pork ribs. Every vendor sells the same price. Beef bones average $45-50. The VIP AYCE is so pricey that it's not even worth it. Enticing but who can possibly eat 20 ribs plus sides, beer and ice cream?! The setup is very nice and spaced out. There are trash bins everywhere, so the space is pretty clean. I liked how they have hand washing stations around also. The event is enjoyable only early morning or evenings. During the day is way to hot. Parking wasn't too bad since ppl come and go constantly and by the freeway, it's only a short 2 block walk. Fun event, but I left feeling greasy yet unfulfilled.

My go to always!!! Love their suites and all the atmosphere along with the good restaurants. Really…read moregood gaming ands always have an amazing time!

Fun event and some really great, different kinds of chili. I wish there had been outside chili…read morecompetitors as this was all GSR restaurants.

This was a nice little afternoon diversion for the wife and me. We were able to walk around a bit…read moreand take in the scenery. So super conveniently located to Baldini's where we were able to go and have some lunch! Walking around we saw lots of cool little things and plants we might get at a later date. If we had smaller kids they probably would have loved the police vehicles that were on hand to ooooh and ahhhh over. We had too much planned out in the asphalt and concrete world we weren't able to stay for the different talks that they had planned throughout the day. Plus our brown thumbs probably would have started killing everything in sight. We aren't really crafty or gardeny ....not a word. Anyway maybe by next year we will have sprouted a green thumb to be nurtured by this event.

Nice festival that was exceptionally poignet with the horrific fires on Maui…read more I love the sharing of native cultures - food, dance, and song. This definately family friendly event is a very welcome annual festival in downtown Reno. Hope to be able to attend this fun event on a regular basis.

I loved this festival. It is very family friendly as it's a no-alcohol event and had lots of…read moreactivities for the kids. The whole vibe was very welcoming and positive. They had constant entertainment and it was not overcrowded. Their were food vendors and we had a delicious teriyaki chicken with rice and macaroni salad and for dessert there was shaved ice and mochi. Loved seeing the vendors with all types of crafts for sale. It's a really mellow festival and loved that they we're supporting the Maui Wildfire Relief fund.

This is the kick-off for what will be a monthly event in conjunction with the Wine Walk on the…read morethird Saturday from now until October. It is sponsored by the TMCC Alumni association with the proceeds going to support first generation TMCC students. This was a really nice event and really kept to the theme of local arts and crafts. There are booths with jewelry, pottery, hand crafted glassware, photography, visual arts, health and beauty items as well as wine snobs paraphernalia. There was live music which adds to the festival atmosphere. The items for sale were of nice quality and really ranged in price. I think it would be a great place to buy unique items that are not available at every other street fair around. Not a tie-die t-shirt or funky sunglasses to be found here. This is really a nice quality Arts and Crafts event.

I have never been to this festival before, but some of my friends told me about it and recommended…read moreit to me, so I decided to come by and check it out. When I first showed up I was quite surprise to see that it looked very similar to the Rib Cookoff, a yearly event that I go to every year! Lots of the streets closed off from traffic for foot walk, with several stands of shops, food, drinks and more! A live band performance, and people everywhere! I got food from one of the stands, Meatballs and Polenta. I got meatballs and garlic bread. The meatballs were really good but the garlic bread got very hard by the time I started to eat it. Pretty fun. Fun little event for sure! Definitely go check it out if you enjoy Italian food whenever you're in the area!

Although the weather wasn't perfect, this event was busy. We ended up going once to shop the booths…read moreand see all the neat stuff people make and sell. We went another time to eat when the food vendors were less busy. The artichoke/italian sausage was amazing. The mushroom ravioli was tasty, we found some pastries with cinnamon and sugar but I can't remember what they were called. There was a wine walk (we didn't partake in) but there were lots of wines to taste. Thanks to the Eldorado for this 12th straight year that I have attended.

I hadn't been to the Reno River Festival in along time. I remember when it was free to go and it…read morewas in Winfield park. I have to say it sure has grown into a top notch event! I really love the new location at Idlewild park! There were many Vendors, Food and Drink Choices. One of my favorites is Mr Margarita. I love to mix the two choices together $9. I was starved and I had a $5 hot dog that hit the spot. Then my husband tried a hand dipped foot long corn dog which I had a bite of and it was tasty. What's not to love at the festival, I think any choice is a win! The musical was good, I found it interesting you can now purchase VIP tables each day. What a nice added touch to the event. There are many add ons you can purchase as well. Something for everyone, craft beer tasting, rafting, golf, rock climbing or just sit back and listen to the entertainment while taking in the beauty of your surroundings. If you haven't gone to the festival I definitely suggested going, you can take blankets, low back chairs, but no pets or outside food or drink. General admission is a weekend pass only $15 no exceptions.

Food and beer this year were not good. Almost of the vendors was NY sidewalk stuff, nothing to…read morereally shop. The location though was pretty good. Step up. Event could have been better overall.

Pumpkin palooza is such a fun time for the whole family. Sparks puts this on every year. Buy your…read moretickets early and save money. The have a midway , movie theater, food vendors, crafters, pumpkin carving and so much more. It's really so much fun for the whole family.

This event is incredible! There is fun for the whole family!…read more PumpkinPalooza is an event that benefits the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living and supports residents in the local community. It also provide a safe environment for families to go trick-or-treating, while getting to participate in fun games and watch live, family-friendly entertainment This is a free event to attend, and this year's turnout was great! There are a few booths that require additional purchases, but there are plenty of free and fun things to participate in. Pumpkin Painting, Pumpkin Derby Racing, and live costumed characters add to the excitement! Sponsors from local businesses host small games at their booths that include some great prizes, including LOADS of candy! This event is definitely worth attending with your little ones, and I can't wait until next year!

One of my favorite free things to do! Well maintained grounds, tranquil areas and it's so peaceful…read moreon weekends when there are no events! Such a beautiful place to simply unwind.

Went to Dragon Lights and this event is perfect for all ages! From first dates, young families, and…read moreso on! Spend all day here or kill a couple hours. Every scenery was designed with intention and there were a couple food trucks in case you wanted to grab a snack. Two sections for parking and we went on a Thursday so parking wasn't that bad! Definitely worth going!

Free Event yearly!!! It was an amazing experience seeing all the balloons up close. Rancho San…read moreRafael is such a big place it can accommodate all balloons that are joining the race. It's not a regret waking up 2 in the morning to see this magical event. The dawn patrol started at 5am so we were there about 3:30. Parking starts to fill at that time and we were all bundled up. If you plan to do this event, wear comfy shoes as there's a lot of walking to get to the parking and going into the park itself. There's $25 cash parking fee if you park at San Rafael. But if you park outside, it's always free. Bring blankets and folded chairs. There's merchants selling food and other things which start serving at about 5:30 am. The place is almost at full capacity as early as 5am so be there at least 3:30am. I'm sure you will have an amazing time! All balloons for Dawn Patrol ascended at 5:30. Then about 7am all the other balloons started going up. See you again, next year!

What a cool event!! I am kicking myself for being here in town for the last 4 years and not…read moreattending this awesome event. Its an early wake up for sure as the gates open at 3:30 and you should probably be there by 4:30 at the latest. the illuminations (glow) of the balloons before dawn is an incredible sight. They have all kinds of vendors selling food, drinks (including good bloody marys) and crafts. Its super cool being so close to the balloon crews and pilots. You are right there it the mix of it all and sometimes they might even ask you for a little help, which is fun. I got to help hold down a balloon basket just before launch. You can bet that I will be back each and every year to this very fun event. Another feather in the cap for Reno!