CARSON CITY, N.V. (September 14, 2015) - The end of each year is a time for having fun with family, gathering with friends and creating memories. In Nevada, this time of year is full of unique, quirky events that enable each visitor to make memories unlike any other. Experience this beloved season with an eccentric experience only Nevada can provide. Below is a recap of the major events and festivals happening this fall. For a full listing of events, visit www.TravelNevada.com.

Blue Jeans Jam, October 2-4, 2015
Nothing says it's fall like a pair of blue jeans. As a salute to the inventor of riveted blue jeans by Reno's Jacob Davis, the city hosts a weekend-long celebration of all things denim known as the annual Blue Jeans Jam. From concerts, to art displays to a marketplace, denim-lovers from across the country and around the world to celebrate their favorite fashion statement.

26th Annual World Championship Outhouse Races, October 3-4, 2015
To mark a time when Virginia City townspeople walked their outhouses to city hall to protest an ordinance outlawing outdoor toilets, the city hosts the annual Outhouse Races. It starts with the Parade of Outhouses, where costumed outhouses strut their stuff through town. Immediately following, outhouse teams drive, drag, push and pull their outhouses to the finish line.

World Cowboy Fast Draw Championships, October 2-5, 2015

We all know how the West was won and it wasn't with a handshake. Cowboys come to life through the World Cowboy Fast Draw Championships in Fallon. Civil War Re-enactments, mounted shooting competitions, and the Nevada Gunslingers gun fight re-enactment highlight the event which features more than 40 food and craft vendors as well as live music through the weekend.

The Haunted Ghost Train of Old Ely, October 3-31, 2015

Every Saturday night in October and the Friday before Halloween, the Ghost Train of Old Ely comes alive. Some say there seems to be legions of demons, ghosts and goblins invading the otherwise peaceful setting here on those special October nights. Those who dare to ride can witness UFOs, headless horsemen, hitchhiking ghosts, haunted tunnels, creepy campfires, and ghastly ghost towns right alongside Nevada Northern Railway's mainline up to the old Ruth Mine.

Eldorado Great Italian Festival, October 10-11, 2015

Italian families from all over the West Coast have been celebrating their culture for 34 years at the Eldorado Great Italian Festival in Reno. Guests can taste the best Italian wines, listen to authentic Italian music and, of course, enjoy homemade Italian food. A crowd favorite each year is the Great Italian Festival Sauce Cook-off, where families go head-to-head in a taste-off of their historic recipes.

The GATEWAY, October 16-17, 2015
The GATEWAY Project is a group of Reno community leaders and members working to bring an interactive public sculpture to the city's art collection. This year, they're hosting their inaugural celebration of playa art in Reno, called The GATEWAY, with two days of art bike workshops, parades and sculpture auctions. For Burners, this event will maintain the momentum from Burning Man 2015.

Logandale Bluegrass Festival, October 23-24, 2015

The Logandale Fall Festival pairs Bluegrass and BBQ. The two-day festival will be at the Clark County Fairgrounds. There will be a BBQ cook-off and two stages with bluegrass music. 

Oktoberfest, October 24, 2015

The Henderson Events Plaza will transform into Baveria for one night only. Grab a stein and toast to German heritage at the city's inaugural Oktoberfest celebration. Find out what's on tap with a little taste and some tunes from Bavaria.

Nevada Day Parade, October 31, 2015
To commemorate Nevada's statehood, admitted on October 31, 1864, Nevadans gather each year in Carson City for the Nevada Day Parade. The day, put on entirely by volunteers, kicks off with the iconic hot air balloon launch, followed by floats, marching bands and Nevada-centric entertainment.

Off Beat Arts & Music Festival, November 5-8, 2015
Like the state itself, Nevada music, arts and culture are a little offbeat in the best ways possible. To shine a spotlight on northern Nevada's homegrown talent, the first-ever Off Beat Arts & Music Festival in Reno will feature art shows, live music performances and purely Nevada talent.

Pomegranate Arts & Crafts Festival, November 6-7, 2015

Often compared to an old fashioned country fair, this marks year 17 for the popular Pomegranate Arts & Crafts Festival. Featuring artists and crafters throughout Southern Nevada and the Southwest, the festival attracts up to 10,000 visitors from surrounding regions. The festival celebrates pomegranate harvest season in the Moapa Valley and the history of fine arts in the region.

Pahrump Social Powwow, November 19-22

Each year in Pahrump, people gather for the largest Powwow in Nye County. Visitors and locals socialize and honor the Native American Culture in a powwow at Petrack Park. Native American craftsman display their wares and one can expect to sample many dishes of Native American food as well.

Reno Comic Con, November 20-22, 2015

Wizard World Comic Con boasts an epic weekend at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center each November. This year show highlights include the former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics Jim Shooter, Jason David Frank of Tommy Oliver fame and several others.  Reno Comic Con 2015 will also feature celebrities including Mena Suvari, best known for her role in American Beauty, and Star Trek's Brent Spiner.

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, December 3 - 12, 2015

The top 15 contestants in the nation will compete in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding at the Wrangler NFR. During the 10 day competition, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo transforms flashy Las Vegas with thousands of rodeo enthusiasts decked out in Wrangler jeans and Justin boots fill hotels, casinos, restaurants, shopping malls and showrooms. In addition, hotel marquees are splashed with the names of the brightest stars in country music.

Christmas Tree Lighting, December 5, 2015

A community favorite event, Christmas carolers, cookies and hot chocolate line the streets as Fallon's downtown lights up around the official lighting of the town Christmas Tree each year.

Reno Santa Pub Crawl, December 12, 2015
Santa's visiting the Biggest Little City on December 12, and he's inviting everyone to come with him. With more than 50 bars and more than 12,000 festive participants, the Reno Santa Pub Crawl will be prime for creating jolly memories.

SnowGlobe Music Festival, December 29-31, 2015
There is no better way to end the year than by combining the world's best musicians with the world's best snow conditions in South Lake Tahoe at SnowGlobe Music Festival. Merging mountains and music creates a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience that only Nevada can provide.

For more on Nevada travel, visit TravelNevada.com.

# # # #

The Nevada Division of Tourism (TravelNevada) is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It promotes and markets Nevada as a tourism destination for domestic and international leisure and business travelers through its marketing and advertising programs and by coordinating partnerships between public and private entities. TravelNevada also administers grant programs for local entities to market travel and tourism offerings and publishes Nevada Magazine.