Events : Aloha, Cowboys, at Molokai Ranch

Hawaii

Hawaiian cowboys (called paniolos) will gather at Molokai Ranch Arena Aug. 27-28 for the first annual statewide rodeo. The brand-new arena holds 2,000 and from the seats there’s a spectacular view of the coastline and Maui in the distance. Molokai Ranch is the second largest ranch (53,000 acres) in Hawaii. Events include bull riding, team roping and barrel racing. For more information, contact Molokai Ranch, 4 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 400, Box 96, 400 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; telephone (808) 531-0158.

Iowa

The Iowa State Fair, Aug. 11-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, draws almost a million people and seems to have something for everyone, from tractor rides to a Kenny G concert. It preserves much of the traditional state fair attractions while trying to keep current: 800 food competitions (you know, where judges taste jars of pickled okra) include best lard cooking and best low-sodium categories. A special attraction this year: a life-size Garth Brooks carved in butter. Also, a rodeo, midway, livestock shows and an all-Iowa store. For more information, contact the Iowa State Fair, State House, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319; tel. (515) 262-3111.

Nevada

Hot August Nights, Aug. 3-7 in Reno, is major time-warp time. It’s “Happy Days” and “American Graffiti” come to life. Get out your old poodle skirt, dust off your white bucks for this homage to the 1950s, vintage cars and rock ‘n’ roll. The big activity is cruisin’. Main Street awaits. There’ll be 3,500 cherry-colored cars on display and a prom: white dinner jackets and strapless dresses suggested. Also, a 24-hour drive-in with carhops, record swaps, nostalgia collectibles for sale and concerts by the Beach Boys, Martha & the Vandellas and Smokey Robinson. For more information, contact Hot August Nights, P.O. Box 819, Reno, Nev. 89504; tel. (702) 829-1955.

New York

The theme for the 20th annual Harlem Weeks, Aug. 1-21, is “Two Decades of Progress, Still More to Do.” Uptown museums, houses of worship, art galleries, restaurants and parks are planning special events to encourage visitors to explore the historic area.

There’s the Black Film Festival at Adam C. Powell Jr. State Office Building, a street fair, sporting events, concerts and a Roots of Jazz festival. For more information and a schedule of events, contact the Harlem Visitors and Convention Assn., 1 West 125th St., Suite 206, New York, N.Y. 10027; tel. (212) 427-7200.

Tennessee

The largest Elvis celebration of the year (anywhere) takes place in Graceland and at other Memphis locations Aug. 8-16 in commemoration of the anniversary of the King’s death. There are marathon showings of Elvis movies; bus trips to his birthplace in Tupelo, Miss.; a concert by Elvis’s backup group, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps; a show of Elvis’ themed art; Q & A’s with the singer’s friends, family and the “Memphis Mafia.”

A candlelight vigil up the driveway to Elvis’ grave begins at 9 p.m. on Aug. 15. And, of course, more memorabilia than you can shake a hound dog at. For more information, contact Graceland, 3797 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tenn. 38116; tel. (800) 238-2000. (Added bonus: Elvis sings while you’re on hold).

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