The National Championship Air Races return to Reno for its 53rd year this week.

Photo courtesy of www.airraces.org

The weather is predicted for clear skies and early attendance numbers are through the roof, tracking ahead of last year’s races by 10% according to president and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, Mike Crowell. Attendance last year was up by 8% to total a whopping 150,000 attendees. Crowell hopes that this year’s will fall between 160,000 and 175,000.

The races will begin today, September 14 and run until Sunday the 18 at the Reno Stead Airport.

“The weather right now – knock on wood – looks good with beautiful mornings and nice afternoons,” Crowell said. “If we get great weather, I think we’ll see a boost in

Artown, the city-wide arts festival, takes over the town for the entire month of July.

Experience everything from Flamenco dancing to Paiute storytelling and Buddhist chanting at this well-attended month-long arts festival. Artown offers more than 500 events to the public, 70% of which are free to attend. Go online to the Artown website (www.renoisartown.com) and you can even create your own personalized schedule of events.

The events will feature anything from theater and dance to music and visual arts. They will take place at venues throughout the city. Historically popular events will return, such as “Movies in the Park” along with the world concert series.

The “Movies in the Park” series will group with Films on Tap, a local organization that