Your Tahoe Weekend: Donner Party Hike, Great Trail Race & much more!

TAHOE-TRUCKEE, Calif. — Below are the Sierra Sun’s picks for the Top 10 events to check out this weekend at Truckee and Lake Tahoe.

Have an event you want considered for a future Your Tahoe Weekend calendar? Email reporter Kaleb M. Roedel at kroedel@sierrasun.com.

1. Donner Party Hike

Travel the footsteps of early emigrants’ journey across the Sierra Nevada this weekend by participating in the 24th annual Donner Party Hike. Participants can choose from six different hikes on Saturday, and a walking tour on Sunday. All hikes offer interesting insight into emigrant history from local area guides, along with invigorating recreation and beautiful scenery.

When: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 8-9

Where: Donner Ski Ranch

Cost: $65 for Saturday only; $90 for Saturday and Sunday

Online: donnerpartyhike.com

2. Tahoe Donner Fall Festival

Tahoe Donner will host its annual free Fall Festival on Saturday at the Northwoods Clubhouse. The expansive pumpkin patch and maze are Fall Festival highlights. In addition, festival-goers can enjoy a barbecue, seasonal beer, live music, children’s activities and more.

When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where Tahoe Donner Northwoods Clubhouse

Cost: Free

Online: tahoedonner.com

3. Run the Runway at Truckee Tahoe Airport

The inaugural Run the Runway, a 5k run and 3/4-mile fun run, will be held Saturday at the Truckee Tahoe Airport. This unique event will allow participants to enjoy the beauty of an autumn morning surrounded by Martis Valley’s mountain peaks while running on Truckee Tahoe Airport’s actual runway at 5,900 feet elevation.

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where: Truckee Tahoe Airport

Cost: $25 adults, $15 youth

Online: runtherunwaytruckee.weebly.com

4. The Great Trail Race

The inaugural Great Trail Race, a trail running and mountain biking competition, will be held Sunday to benefit Tahoe Nordic Search And Rescue. Like its winter cousin, the Great Ski Race, the Great Trail Race will start in Tahoe City and end roughly 19 miles later at Cottonwood Restaurant in Truckee.

When: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

Where: Tahoe City to Truckee

Cost: Adults: $80 by Oct. 7, $90 onsite; Youth/seniors: $65 by Oct. 7, $70 onsite.

Online: greattrailrace.com

5. ‘A Liar’s Cruise’ on the Tahoe Gal

The Sierra State Parks Foundation will present “A Liar’s Cruise” on the Tahoe Gal on Saturday. Attendees are invited to laugh out loud at tall tales and mysterious truths while enjoying a feast of scrumptious, never-ending hors d’oeuvres and bottomless bubbly as they cruise along Tahoe’s West Shore. A live auction of unique one-of-a-kind treasures and experiences will be offered benefitting the SSPF and its efforts to restore the South Boathouse at Sugar Pine Point State Park.

When: 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where: Lighthouse Center Pier, Tahoe City

Cost: $75

Online: sierrastateparks.org

6. ‘Dead vs. Phish’ at Crystal Bay Casino

Shafty, a Phish tribute band based in Portland, will recreate the energy of a Phish show while performing the legendary jam band’s songs with sharp precision inside Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room. Following Shafty’s set, Grateful Dead tribute band China Cats will perform inside the Red Room.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where: Crystal Bay Casino

Cost: Free

Online: crystalbaycasino.com

7. Calling Ophelia at Moody’s

Truckee-based folk band Calling Ophelia will bring its boot-stomping ditties to downtown Truckee for a free show at Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats.

When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where: Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee

Cost: Free

Online: moodysbistro.com

8. Fémina Performance in Truckee

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Fémina — a trio of female singer-songwriters from the tiny mountain town of San Martin de los Andes in Argentina — will perform in Truckee, with proceeds going to Arts For The Schools. Their show-stopping harmonies mix with hip-hop, cumbia, rumba, reggae, funk and more to create a beautiful and catchy sound.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7

Where: Truckee Community Arts Center

Cost: $10-$20 general admission

Online: artsfortheschools.org

9. Drive-By Truckers at MontBleu Lake Tahoe

Drive-By Truckers, an alternative Southern rock band, will bring their powerful and provocative sound to the South Shore. The Georgia-based quintet is playing in support of its latest release “American Band,” the group’s most explicitly political album in their extraordinary canon.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Where: MontBleu Resort Lake Tahoe, Stateline

Cost: $35/$45

Online: montbleuresort.com

10. Reel Rock Film Tour at LTCC

Catch breathtaking views and thrilling adventures that will have you clinging to the edge of your seat in anticipation with the 11th installment of the Reel Rock Film Tour. This year, the five films feature 10 adventurers from a mix of countries, including one Lake Tahoe native.

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7

Where: Lake Tahoe Community College, South Lake Tahoe

Cost: $15

Online: reelrocktour.com