Start your Labor Day weekend off early today and check out The Best in the West Rib Cook-Off on Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada.

This six day event begins today and runs through Monday. There will be 25 vendors cookin' up ribs with "0" vendors giving out their "secret recipe". Today's attraction will be the Best in the West Rib Eating Contest with top competitive eaters, including Joey Chestnut, the defending champion!

The cost is FREE and plenty of food and drink are for sale at booths. Craft vendors are also set up and selling crafts and other must have items.

The time to go is today through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Be sure to check out the live entertainment each night while enjoying your favorite ribs, corn on the cob and fresh squeezed lemon aide!

If ribs are not your style, don't worry, this weekend Fallon, Nevada is having its 23rd annual "Hearts Of Gold Cantaloupe Festival and Fair!"

Fallon, Nevada is located approximately 30 minutes East of Sparks, Nevada, just off Interstate 80. The drive is quick and enjoyable if you are interested in checking out this festival and fair!

The Cantaloupe Festival and Fair begins on Friday, August 29th and ends on Monday, September 1, 2008. The festival is located at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.

Admission is $5 for adults and Seniors, $3 for children.

Scheduled events include live boxing, the Kent Family Circus and the Battle of the Bands. You will also get a chance to see the Wide World of Animals Tiger Show, a Cantaloupe Chuckin' Contest (you won't want to miss that).  While there, be sure to check out the  fair and exhibits to enjoy and shop at.

There is plenty of information available on line at www.fallonchamber.com if you are interested in attending. I love to go to this event just to buy the fresh cantaloupe, it is sweet and delicious! It is well worth the drive from Sparks.

And finally, a great way to cool off is at Wild Island Adventure Park! Labor Day Weekend is the last chance you will have to take advantage of the waterpark.

Wild Island Adventure Park is located on Sparks Blvd. just off Interstate 80, Sparks, Nevada. The hours of operation for the waterpark are 11a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday through Monday.

There is more than just speed slides, water wides and wave pools at Wild Island, when you are finished splashing in the sun, go check out the Mini Golf park, go bowling or take a ride on the Go Karts!  There is so much to do at Wild Island, it may just take you all three days to experience it all.

What ever you decide to do this Labor Day Weekend, I hope you have a safe, fun and exciting time!

Authored by Terrie Leighton. August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate Agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate. The information contained in this blog is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.