South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev….Where else can you find big-name entertainment, top-notch competitions and family friendly events in one place? Lake Tahoe South Shore (http://www.tahoesouth.com) has all this to complement the natural attractions and timeless beauty of the Lake to get your vacation on for the 2011 Summer Season.

HEADLINERS

This year marks the 22nd annual American Century Championship, July 12-17. Entertainment and sports legends including Michael Jordan, Jerry Rice, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Ray Romano, Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, Jimmer Fredette, Tim Tebow, Rex Ryan, Jim Harbaugh and 75 other celebrities compete for a $600,000 purse. In addition to great golf, there’s also the vibe of South Shore’s celebrity scene and Charles Barkley’s renowned swing. The American Century Championship has become an international attraction and has raised over $3.5 million for a variety of charities throughout its history.

Hot August Nights South Lake Tahoe Experience, returns for its second year, Saturday, Aug. 6 – Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011. Car lovers from far and wide can slide behind the wheel and set cruise control for three straight days and nights with MontBleu as the headquarters for show-n-shines, car exhibits, exclusive car auctions, cruises and an outdoor pavilion with food, beverages and great oldies music. Take in the sun with the top down and at night it’s inside MontBleu to unwind Tahoe-style, with music, dining and a host of shows, including Aaron Lewis, August 6 and KC & The Sunshine Band, August 7 in the MontBleu Theater.

The Harveys Outdoor Concert Series rocks June through September with Diana Krall and special guest Mose Allison, June 18; Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, July 10; Lionel Richie, July 16; Soundgarden, July 20; Slightly Stoopid with Rebelution and Shwayze, July 27; Lady Antebellum with Troy Olsen, July 29; Steve Miller Band with Dave Mason, July 30; Phish (sold out), Aug. 9-10; The Big Four, Aug. 13; Miranda Lambert with Little Big Town, Aug. 19 and Sammy Hagar & The Wabos, Sept. 10. Details: 1-800-HARRAHS, www.SouthShoreRoom.com or www.TotalRewardsTahoe.com.

MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa is in the game this summer with a hot list of hit entertainers: hip hop artist Wiz Khalifa, June 21; The Crystal Method with Opulent Temple DJ’s, June 24; Kioki featuring Liquid Stranger, July 10; Todd Rundgren, July 14; comedian Lisa Lampanelli, July 23; Brandi Carlile, Aug. 2; Comedians of Chelsea Lately, Aug. 13; Aaron Lewis, Aug. 6; KC and the Sunshine Band, Aug. 7; Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Aug. 9 and Lotus with Big Gigantic, Aug. 10. Details: 775-588-3515 or www.montbleuresort.com.

ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS

Participants will circumnavigate the Lake, Sunday, June 5, while soaking in one of the most scenic and awe-inspiring rides for the 19th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. This competition promotes Lake Tahoe Bikeway, the plan to build and interconnect bike lanes/trails around Lake Tahoe, and is the culmination of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s spring Team In Training (TNT) Cycle 100 national fund raising program. In fact, over the past 14 years, TNT has brought nearly 19,500 participants to Lake Tahoe and America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, bringing their total funds raised to $68.5 million dollars.

Another chance to circle Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline is during the 9th annual Tour de Tahoe Bike Big Blue Race, Sept. 11, celebrating the end of summer on the roadways with spectacular scenery.

The annual Lake Tahoe Paddle Fest, June 25 – 27, celebrates non-motorized watercraft, including demonstrations, standup paddle boat races, workshops and exhibitions at El Dorado Beach.

Can you run like the wind? The Thin Air Distance Festival signature event, Aug. 10-14, includes a 10K, 11K, 10 mile and 5K – totaling a marathon over the course of four days. Run one day, four days, or any combination to fit your schedule.

For ladies only, work all you got. The Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon, returns for its second year Sunday, Sept.18, includes 400 meter swim, a 24 kilometer bike to Cave Rock with return to the casino corridor and a 5 kilometer run through the streets of Nevada and California toward the state line.

Run, walk, swim, paddle, peddle or golf during one of the many Lake Tahoe Marathon events, Sept. 22-25. All of the runs are point-to-point and scenic from start to finish. Both the half and full marathons are along the west shore of Lake Tahoe and feature challenging hills around Emerald Bay. The 10K, which begins at Inspiration Point above Emerald Bay, is 99% downhill and covers the most spectacular portion of the route. Complementing the traditional runs is an Extreme Golf competition and a kayak-bike-marathon triathlon.

FOR THE FAMILY

The GeoTahoeSouth – The World’s Best Premium Geocaching is a 2-day contest, June 11-12, featuring at least 40 unique caches tucked inside caves, lake front businesses and even hidden behind slot machines – all highlighting South Shore’s scenic beauty, recreation, shopping and nightlife. Inn by the Lake is the headquarters for the affordable family-friendly adventure. For footage from previous year: YouTube.com.

The Valhalla Renaissance Faire, June 4-5 and 11-12, brings to life the authentic pleasures and pageantry of an Elizabethan country fair with a different theme each weekend. Costumed players perform at Camp Richardson Resort in the shady lanes and byways, and hawk their wares from market stalls filled with fine handmade crafts. Jousters vie for the pleasure of the Royal Court twice daily in the tournament lists. The Valhalla Arts, Music & Theater Festival takes place May – Oct. and provides a unique celebration of the visual arts with upscale events set against the magnificent backdrop of the Lake and the Tallac Historic Site.

As the largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi, the annual Lights on the Lake – Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza, is considered one of the best ways to commemorate the country’s independence. In 2008, NBC’s Today Show selected South Lake Tahoe’s display as one of the country’s top Fourth of July weekend celebrations. Best viewing spots are around South Shore’s sandy beaches or on the lake on board M.S. Dixie II and Tahoe Queen Paddlewheelers (if you don’t have your own vessel).

The annual Lake Tahoe Festival of Fine Arts will feature food booths, children’s art projects, community agency information, entertainment and family fun. Look for more than 150 artists and food booths at South Tahoe Middle School, July 9-10. The event will benefit Tahoe Arts Project, a non-profit organization that brings performing and visual arts to over 6,000 students in South Lake Tahoe and provides cultural enrichment and diversity to the community.

One of the largest gatherings to view unique boats in Northern California is the South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic, July 29-30 at Tahoe Keys Marina & Yacht Club. Get a close look, talk with the owners and hear the powerful roar behind straight 6, V8 and V12 engines.

The 22nd annual Lake in the Sky Air Show takes flight Aug. 27, featuring some of the world’s top aircraft performers as well as radio-controlled demonstrations, Navy H-60 Seahawk helicopters and an Air Force C-17 Globemaster static display. Flying legends Bill Cornick, former U.S. Air Force pilot; Jon Melby, 33 year freestyle aerobatic air show pilot and Spencer Suderman, known for intense gyroscopic maneuvers on the Pitts S-2B Biplane will entertain spectators with aerial stunts and demonstrations. Pre-opening events include a 5K race/Kids Fun Run and a Kiwanis pancake breakfast.

The 2nd annual Sample the Sierra, Sunday, Sept. 4, features tastings from the Sierra Nevada’s best chefs and restaurants – all created with local produce, and paired with tastings from local wineries and breweries. Along Ski Run Blvd. at Blue Angel Café restaurants and vendors will offer regional products such as, honey, jams, olive oil and soaps along with pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists. Live entertainment, storytellers, acoustic musicians, and regional presentations and activities will round out the program. The event is part of the GEO-Tourism program for Lake Tahoe, the goal of which is to enhance sustainable tourism and increase year-round visitation by focusing on the destination’s authentic assets.

South Shore Summer Series winds down and celebrates on a colorful note with fireworks, Labor Day, Sunday, Sept. 4. Labor Day Weekend Pyrotechnic Exhibition light up the sky with the simultaneous music broadcast on local stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.