Tahoe South brings the sizzle with 2019 summer events

A record-breaking winter, a full lake and a packed calendar beckons visitors to the Sierra as Tahoe South heats up with summer events including its famed fireworks show, a celebrity golf tournament, star-studded headline concerts and more.

South Lake Tahoe’s highly touted fireworks extravaganza show will paint the sky for the 38th consecutive year. South Shore continuously draws an enthusiastic group to celebrate Independence Day by pairing sounds of American classics and today’s top hits to perfectly executed pyrotechnics.

“Lights on the Lake” entails 25 minutes of bright lights and colors that illuminate the night sky. The firework display is sponsored by Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority and produced by Zambelli Fireworks. The show will begin at 9:45 p.m. with simulcast on local radio stations KRLT–FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.

The 30th annual American Century Championship, the No. 1 celebrity golf tournament in the U.S., will bring a star-studded line-up of more than 80 athletes and Hollywood stars to Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, July 9-14. Televised on NBC Sports, superstars and longtime favorites include defending champion Tony Romo, current NFL All-Pros, 16 Hall of Famers, and Hollywood entertainers, country artists and comedians. More icons expected to announce their participation in the coming months. See the website here.

A schedule of headlining artists will perform the Harveys Outdoor Arena stage during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. Acts include Tim McGraw, June 14; Trevor Noah, July 5; Pentatonix, July 7; Blake Shelton, July 12; Miranda Lambert, July 18; Jackson Browne, Aug. 10; Lionel Richie, Aug. 17; Steve Miller Band, Aug. 24; Luke Bryan, Aug. 25; Dave Matthews Band, Sept. 6, with more acts to be announced.

Showroom entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe includes Three Dog Night, June 1; Masters of Illusion, June 27–Sept. 2.

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa will host T.J. Miller, June 28; An Acoustic Evening with John Hiatt, June 30; Craig Morgan, July 5; Trace Adkins, July 6; Hinder, July 24; Lake Street Dive, Aug. 14; Tahoe Show, Aug. 17; Iration, Pepper, Fortunate Youth and Katastro, Aug. 23.

Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series begins May 25 through Sept. 2 with live music on the main stage every Friday and Saturday from 6 – 9 p.m. Admission is free and open to all ages.

Live at Lakeview Summer Music Series returns for its 8th season of free live music on the lake every Thursday night, starting June 20 and concluding Aug. 29.

ENDURANCE TEST: RELAYS AND RACES
The 2019 Amgen Tour of California, America’s premier cycling event will be the longest and most challenging in its 14-year history, including the Men’s Stage 2 finish from Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe on May 13. The route will start at sea level and gain an elevation of 14,500 feet as cyclists pass stunning views along U.S. Highway 89 over Carson and Luther Passes.

For cyclists, America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride is a scenery inspired 72-mile spectacular that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe, June 2. The 28th annual ride supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay is considered to be the oldest relay race in the country. The Lake Tahoe Relay began as a New Year's gag by a group of college runners in 1959, grew into a tribute to a beloved son, and has evolved over decades as a family's labor of love. Athletes will once again run counter-clockwise around Lake Tahoe, June 8.

Runners will test their endurance at the 5th annual Rock Tahoe Half Marathon, June 15. The 13.1 mile course starts on the mountain top at Spooner Summit and drops more than 1,000 feet as it winds down U.S. Highway 50 to the finish line at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Mountain Bike & Brew Festival is a staple of the area with support from Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) with bike demos, brews and live music, June 22-23. Riders can compete in the Meyers Triple Crown, covering over 30 miles with an elevation gain of 5,200 feet.

The Lake Tahoe Triathlon, Aug. 24–25, offers a challenging experience at Ed’ZBerg Sugar Pine State Park that includes half triathlon, Olympic triathlon, sprint triathlon, duathlon and aquabike elements.

The summer season finishes with the 16th annual Tour de Tahoe cycling event, Sept. 8 as participants circumnavigating the lake.

TASTE TAHOE: BREWS AND CHEWS
The 3rd annual Lake Tahoe Brewfest, Saturday, June 1, returns to Heavenly Mountain Resort California Base Lodge. The festival features regional craft brew tastings, a homebrewers competition, food, trucks live music, arts and craft vendors, and pre-post activities to round out the weekend to benefit the South Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club.

Tahoe Arts Alliance presents the inaugural ArtFest, Sunday, June 2 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. In partnership with the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Tahoe Brewfest and the Ski Run Business Association, the free all-ages event features a specified genre of art (i.e. visual art at Black Bear Lodge, film at Tech Gear Lab) with businesses along Ski Run Blvd. A “Hair of the Dog” sampling passport is available for purchase and includes different flavored mimosas at each participating location and a souvenir tasting cup. Patrons receive a discount on the sampling passport with proof of attendance at Brewfest.

The Wine Walk at the Heavenly Village features wines crafted from Camino, Calif., branded as Carson Road Wineries, along with food specials and opportunities to win prizes as guests visit participating stores, Aug. 29. A $20 donation benefits local charity Christmas Cheer.

Pair crisp air and towering pines with fresh, locally made foods and libations with the return of Sample the Sierra, for the 10th annual farm to fork event at Bijou Community Park, Sept. 14. Sample the Sierra hosts over 20 booths with a different winery, distillery or brewery expertly paired with a restaurant utilizing local produce in signature dishes. A festival marketplace will also feature local handmade goods, jams, jewelry, artwork and spices among other items crafted regionally.

GET CULTURED: FAIRS AND FESTS
The Valhalla Renaissance Faire offers a weekend of jousting, sword fighting, historical demonstrations, jugglers, magicians, children's games, merchants, actors, food and beverages at Camp Richardson’s campgrounds, June 1-2 and June 8-9.

The Roaring ’20s comes alive during the annual Great Gatsby Living History Festival with live music, costumes, interactive tours, vintage auto rides, kid’s games, and food at the Tallac Historic Site, Aug. 10-11.

See the TahoeSouth.com website for these and more activities throughout the year.