South Lake Tahoe,CA/NV…Tahoe’s national treasure – the lake – is filled to capacity after a record breaking winter, and ready to provide visitors gallons of recreational opportunities and special events this summer. South Shore’s popular season includes heart-pounding athletic competitions, celebrity golf action, firework displays, blockbuster concerts, and craft brewery events all on-tap (www.tahoesouth.com)

SIGNATURE LAKEFRONT SOIREE
The 28th annual American Century Championship, the No. 1 celebrity golf tournament in the U.S., brings a star-studded line-up including the likes of Charles Barkley, Aaron Rogers, John Elway, Larry the Cable Guy, Ray Romano, and dozens of Hall of Famers and active NFL players and coaches to Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, July 11-16. Last year basketball superstar Steph Curry and entertainment megastar Justin Timberlake headlined an electric field of celebrities, and the tournament established an all-time attendance record of 47,109 for the week. The field for 2017 will be announced late-April. (www.americancenturychampionship.com)

Celebrated as one of the biggest and best July 4 fireworks shows in the nation, “Lights on the Lake” will light up the night with a spectacular sky rocket array of red, white and blue streams synchronized to top rock/pop hits and patriotic favorites. The show has been noted as one of the country’s best displays in prominent travel publications including CNN, Budget Travel, USA TODAY and NBC’s Today Show. Choice viewing spots are South Shore’s sandy beaches and aboard boats including paddlewheeler cruise, private charter companies or renting a vessel. The music will broadcast on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490. Labor Day will bring a second fireworks show during the holiday weekend on Sept. 3.

SUDS, STUDS & SIPS

The inaugural Lake Tahoe Brewfest hosted by Cold Water Brewery and Grill and FNCTN (a production/promotional group; pronounced “Function,”) is coming to South Shore June 10 to feature craft brew tastings from all over Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas. The event also includes a home brewers competition, live music, arts and craft vendors and food.

The sixth annual Tahoe Show boasts hundreds of the best sculpted bodies as contestants vie for cash prizes at MontBleu Resort, Casino and Spa on Aug. 26. Known as the most beautiful show on the West Coast, the judged event is a qualifier for the National Bodybuilding Championship and features categories in bodybuilding, figure, physique, fitness, and bikini. (www.tahoeshow.com)

Sample the Sierra, the eighth annual farm-to-fork festival, celebrates the pairings of Sierra Nevada wine makers, brewers and restaurants, with regionally grown fresh produce, plus entertainment and acoustic music. This event offers regional products such as honey, jams, olive oil, soaps, pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists, Sept. 16 at Bijou Community Park. (www.samplethesierra.com)

SPINNING SPOKES
Amgen Tour of California, presented by AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, will highlight the myriad reasons Lake Tahoe has been repeatedly chosen as a featured venue for the professional cycling stages. The Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women’s Race Empowered with SRAM will include the overall start and Stage 2, May 11-12, 2017. The women commence with one of the most beautiful race routes in the USA, circumnavigating the 72-mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe with the final climb that will lead riders to the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort. A new Stage 2 route includes the highest summit in race history at Luther Pass and the debut of Daggett Pass along Kingsbury Grade, state Route 207. The women’s competition will conclude with a third stage in Elk Grove on May 13 and the final in Sacramento on May 14. (www.amgentourofcalifornia.com)

Celebrating its 26th year, America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride is an impressive 72-mile journey that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe in one day, Sunday, June 4. Hosted by Bike the West and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, it offers spectacular scenery along with the necessities: food/water, restroom, and first aid stations for avid recreational bicyclists. Cycling action continues on the same route with the 15th Annual Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue, a Ride to Cure Diabetes, as participants test their strength and physical endurance on Sunday, Sept. 10. (www.bikethewest.com)

Long distance milers will lace up their running shoes and hit the road with the third annual Rock Tahoe Half Marathon, June 17. Presented by Epic Tahoe Adventures, the 13.1 mile course starts at Spooner Summit and drops over 1,000 feet as it winds down U.S. Highway 50 along the stunning east shore of Lake Tahoe to a finish line at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe. Other weekend activities include an expo, post-race party for runners and their guests and awards for the top male and female age group finishers. (www.epictahoe.com)

The Lake Tahoe Marathon combines inescapable natural beauty and hard-core fitness for the 22nd annual event, Oct. 13-15. The weekend features multiple marathons with choices of 5K or 10k, half marathon, 18-milers, 144 milers around the lake or a four-day, 288 mile run. There’s a children’s run, plus swim and kayak competitions, and dozens of competitions to choose from. (www.laketahoemarathon.com)

SOPHISTICATED SOCIALS
The Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival honors Tahoe’s heritage with a season filled with performances and comedy at the Boathouse Theater, as well as outdoor concerts, festivals, and cultural events. For more information, full schedule, and tickets visit, (www.valhallatahoe.com).

Valhalla Renaissance Faire offers seven acres of entertainment on four stages at Camp Richardson’s campgrounds, June 3-4 and June 10-11. The two weekends include various activities: jousting, sword fighting, educational demonstrations, jugglers, magicians, children’s games, merchants, actors, food and beverages. (tahoesouth.com/events/valhalla)

The Roaring ’20s comes alive during the annual Great Gatsby Living History Festival at the Tallac Historic Site with costumes, live music, interactive historic house tours, vintage auto rides, classic kid’s games, and food, Aug. 12-13. (www.tahoeheritage.org)

SINGING & DJS SPINNING
A summer lineup of legendary artists will grace the Harveys Outdoor Arena stage during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. This year’s stars include Paul Simon, June 25; Rebelution with Nahko and Medicine for the People, Collie Buddz, Hirie, & DJ Mackle, June 30; Sammy Hagar & The Circle, July 2; Train, O.A.R. and Natasha Bedingfield, July 9; Lenny Kravitz, July 14; Third Eye Blind, July 16; Jack Johnson, July 28; Slightly Stoopid, Aug. 4. Additional acts will be announced. (www.caesars.com/harveys)

FNCTN brings a lineup of the region’s best live DJs to play at Xhale Lounge located in between MontBleu and Harrah’s casinos on the first Friday of each month. The ongoing concert series will include more acts and special events throughout the summer at various popular venues. (www.fnctnmusic.com)

The Loft Theatre located in the Heavenly Village is home to Magic Fusion and offers guests of all ages year-round entertainment with award-winner illusionists, sleight of hand, pallor-theatre magicians. The Kinsey Sicks stars in Dragapella is an Award-winning Off-Broadway Comedy-Musical and will perform at the Loft Theatre, June 19-23. (www.thelofttahoe.com)

Free live music throughout the summer is available every night of the week whether it’s Live at Lakeview, Heavenly Village, lakefront bars or popular restaurants. Live at Lakeview is a free weekly concert series every Thursday, June 22 – Aug. 24 at Lakeview Commons. The amphitheater style seating offers breathtaking views on the beach along with a variety of booths featuring local merchants, a beer garden, and food. (www.theshopsatheavenly.com; tahoesouth.com)

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa showroom schedule hosts classic performers along with new chart-topping hits including Eli Young Brand, May 25; Tajmo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band, June 24; Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, July 8 and Cheech & Chong, Aug. 18. (www.montbleuresort.com)

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe rockin’ events entail Comedy Cage Match, May 28-29; Spazmatics, ’80s dance band, June 17; Dive in Movies at Hard Rock Pool every Monday in July; and 6th Annual Tahoe Blue Bloody Mary Festival, Aug. 6. (www.hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com)

The Improv at Harveys offers comedic relief every Wednesday through Sunday with two comedians. (www.caesars.com)