Reno’s July arts festival is not playing small in 2026.

In this episode of the Ask-Reno.com Podcast, we dive into the newly released 2026 Our Town Little Book and unpack the themes hiding beneath the massive calendar: a free July 4 kickoff at Mackay Stadium with the Reno Phil, military flyovers, and a 500-drone light show; the new Our Town Passport challenge inspired by pilgrimage; a plastic-free month that bans bottled water sales at marked events; and a festival-wide shift from passive spectatorship into full-body participation.

After Smash Mouth kicks off the 500 event marathon, choose between Ukrainian folk singing and contact improv to Shibari, miniature galleries, garlic basket weaving, live cheetah painting, augmented reality along the Truckee River, and watershed art made from thousands of steel pins, this year’s programming feels less like an event schedule and more like a civic stress test for attention, comfort, habit, and imagination.

See the complete daily guide for Artown 2026 at https://ask-reno.com/artown

Is Reno about to give away one of its most important public spaces?

The proposed relocation of The Eddy to Believe Plaza has ignited a heated debate across the city — and it’s about way more than just one bar.

At the center of it all is a bigger question:
Who do our public spaces actually belong to?

In this week’s Ask-Reno.com Hot Topic, we break down:

•  Why Believe Plaza was designed as a true public town square 
•  The controversial proposal for a $1/year, 20-year lease
•  Community concerns around privatization, access, and precedent 
•  The history between The Eddy and nearby residents 
•  And the creative alternatives locals are proposing instead 

From Bike Night to protests to major cultural events, Believe Plaza has become a real gathering place for Reno — not just a patch of land.

So what happens if that changes?

Is this smart adaptation during construction… or a long-term shift toward privatizing public space?

A frustrated new transplant posted one exhausted question to r/Reno: "Where do the nice people live?" What followed was one of the most revealing threads about modern city living we've seen — and it starts with a cold, empty stare in a South Reno apartment hallway.

In this episode we unpack the South Reno "social vacuum" — the status anxiety, the aggressive commuters, the BMWs permanently glued to your bumper — and why dozens of locals immediately validated one stranger's isolation. We explore the psychology of the "asshole switch" (why perfectly pleasant people become monsters behind the wheel), a real estate agent who pre-screens clients for personality before showing them South Reno properties, and the surprising stories of extraordinary neighborly generosity happening in the exact same zip code.

We also map out where the friendly enclaves actually are — Old Southwest, Midtown, Hidden Valley, Sparks — and make the case that the best way to find community in Reno isn't finding the right neighborhood. It's forcing a social collision at a Thai restaurant inside a gas station.

 In this week's Ask-Reno.com "Hot Topic," we peel back the PR to explore the realities of the Truckee River's highly publicized revitalization. If you walk through downtown Reno, you see the postcard version, but the reality for many locals is much more complicated.

In this video, we dive into:

The Death of the Living River: Why the visionary, natural flood plan following the $1 billion devastation of the 1997 flood was quietly scrapped in favor of cheaper concrete floodwalls and channelization.

Eco-Optimism or Gentrification?: How the updated flood maps and green infrastructure are acting as a displacement mechanism, raising property values and squeezing out renters and lower-income homeowners.

The Elephant on the Riverbank: Why many locals don't feel safe on the river path in Sparks due to stripped vegetation, industrial exposure, and unaddressed social crises. Plus, the shocking truth about the river's third biggest pollutant: E. coli from the 58,000 pounds of waste produced daily by Washoe County's 116,000 dogs.

A Massive Cultural Win: We close with a genuinely profound success story—the $8 million Numana Dam modification backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project will finally allow up to 600,000 Lahontan cutthroat trout and Cui-ui sucker fish to pass annually, returning a vital cultural icon to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

What do you think about the river's current state? Is Reno's growth serving its people or its developers? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation at Ask-Reno.com!

Is dating in Reno actually a "hellscape"?

 If you are tired of the endless swiping and expensive dating apps, you aren't alone. 

In this week’s Ask-Reno *Hot Topic*, we unpack why so many locals feel like finding a serious connection in the Biggest Little City is feeling more and more abysmal. We dive into the community's new favorite alternative: in-person speed dating! We break down the buzz around *Flagged & Fated* events, what it’s actually like to do 3-minute rapid-fire dates at places like Lead Dog Brewing and the local cat cafe, and whether the $50 ticket is worth the exhaustion. Plus, we share tried-and-true advice straight from Reno locals on how to organically meet your person, including: 

 Why ski resort bars and casinos are the wrong places to look. 

The power of joining Meetup.com groups for hiking, adventures, and board games. 

Why simple changes, like smiling and making eye contact at the grocery store, can change your dating life. 

Casting a wide net, saying "yes" to local events, and then letting go of the pressure. 

Share your Reno dating stories or speed-dating experiences with us in the comments below!** 

In this episode, we break down the viral discussions surrounding Reno’s data center boom — from the massive expansion at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center to the heated debate over a downtown Keystone project.

Using real community sentiment and discussions, we explore:

•  The 7.2 million sq ft expansion of major data facilities 
•  Environmental concerns around water usage and land impact 
•  The truth behind “closed-loop” cooling systems 
•  Power grid strain and heat island effects 
•  Local frustration vs. industry reality 
•  The controversial shift into downtown Reno 

This isn’t speculation — it’s a synthesis of real conversations, real concerns, and real perspectives shaping Northern Nevada right now.

👉 Read the full breakdown: https://ask-reno.com/blog/reno-data-center-debate-2026
 👉 Get weekly Reno insights: ask-reno.com

If you read the glossy travel brochures, Reno’s Street Vibrations is a spectacular celebration of "Music, Metal, and Motorcycles". But if you ask a Reno local? You’ll get a much louder, much grittier story.

In this episode of Ask-Reno, we cut through the PR to give you the real, on-the-ground perspective of Northern Nevada’s most polarizing event. We break down the official facts—from the 50,000 riders taking over the region to the famous Globe of Death stunt shows—and collide them with raw, unfiltered sentiment from actual residents.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Bad: Why locals dread the inescapable straight-pipe noise, highway blockades, and the intimidation from "1%er" motorcycle clubs.

The Good: Why Reno's service industry workers staunchly defend bikers as the absolute best tippers in the Biggest Little City.

The Great Debate: How the motorcycle crowd compares to the attendees of Reno's other massive events, like Hot August Nights and Burning Man.

Whether you’re a rider looking for camaraderie and scenic routes, or a local wondering if you should just grow a garden and never leave your house for the weekend, this is your ultimate insider's survival guide.

For more real, algos-free guides to the Biggest Little City, visit Ask-Reno.com.

Reno is changing fast — and locals have a lot to say about it.

In this episode of Ask Reno Weekly, hosts James and Erin break down one of the biggest conversations happening right now in the Reno community: what it’s actually like to live in the Biggest Little City.

Drawing from real discussions on the Reno subreddit, we explore the honest pros and cons locals talk about every day — from outdoor paradise and sunny weather to rising housing prices, traffic, and the growing pains of a city in transition.

In this episode we cover:

• Why access to Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose, and the Truckee River keeps people in Reno
 • The reality of Reno’s rising housing costs and out-of-state investment
 • The ongoing debate about “Californiaization” and how it’s changing the city
 • Why gas prices are higher in Washoe County than surrounding areas
 • The Reno vs. Carson City lifestyle debate
 • Which neighborhoods locals recommend — and which commutes to avoid
 • The surprisingly vibrant hobby scene for board games, tabletop RPGs, and local events
 • Major Reno festivals like ArtTown, the Great Reno Balloon Race, and the Rib Cookoff

Reno is no longer just a casino town. It’s a city in the middle of a major identity shift — balancing rapid growth, outdoor culture, and a community trying to hold onto what makes the Biggest Little City unique.

If you're thinking about moving to Reno, visiting Reno, or just want to understand the city through the eyes of locals, this episode is for you.

Explore Reno event calendars, restaurant guides, and local recommendations at:

https://ask-reno.com

New episodes every week featuring real conversations from the Reno community.

After 16 years away, the State Fair of Nevada is officially returning to Reno this summer — and locals have a lot to say about it.

In this episode of Ask Reno, hosts James and Erin dive into one of the biggest discussions happening right now on the Reno subreddit: the return of the Nevada State Fair to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and Reno Rodeo Arena this June.

The conversation ranges from pure nostalgia — memories of bumper boats, corn dogs, and long lines for carnival rides — to heated debates about parking, agriculture funding, and whether Nevada even needs a state fair in the first place.

Along the way, we explore:

• Why Reno residents are excited about the fair’s return
 • The surprisingly intense Reddit debate about Nevada agriculture
 • Local nostalgia for the old Reno fairgrounds experience
 • The return of the 4-H State Expo, livestock shows, and art competitions
• A wholesome thread from local crafters excited to submit handmade work again

Whether you’re new to Reno or have lived here for decades, the fair’s return reveals a lot about what locals care about — and how this city is changing.

Ask Reno pulls real conversations from r/Reno every week so you can hear what locals are actually saying about life in the Biggest Little City.

Explore the full Reno event calendar and local guides at:
 https://ask-reno.com

Subscribe for new episodes every week covering Reno news, events, restaurants, and local insights.