RENO, NV (Aug. 9) – Hot August Nights 2018 is a festival for those that love cars, music and nostalgia from an earlier time. It’s also for those wanting to see things that are more modern, there is something for just about anybody during this festival.
In short, this largest event of the summer for the Reno/Sparks, Nevada area is a buffet that’s so huge it would be hard for a person to really consume all that is offered in one visit. In fact it might take two or three visits to enjoy every aspect.
Show N’ Shine on Virginia Street helps get every day started.
Mornings begin with a huge Show N’ Shine on Virginia Street not far from the famous Reno arch. Hundreds of cars are on display for people to see.
Not far away are the fairgrounds but this time it’s a different type of rodeo going on. Three areas have been set up, one for doing donuts, one for autocross where a driver is in a race against the clock.
In the middle is the drifting course where individuals and teams to show their stuff. Much burning of tires as well as powering through the turns sideways and it’s always dramatic to see.
Drifting at the Fairgrounds has been a fan favorite for the past three years at HAN.
Inside the event’s center building is the “Tomorrow’s Classic Show N’ Shine where newer cars are on display.
Up at Rancho San Rafael Park is the Vintage Trailer Revival that has older trailers restored either to their original condition or modified and modernized.
This year the swap meet was moved to the south parking lot of Baldini’s Casino in Sparks.
Inside the Big Boy’s Toy Store and Dazzling Diva display.
Downtown, within the Reno Events Center is the Big Boy’s Toy Store and Dazzling Diva display. Vendors have about anything a person could want in one building.
Various specialty lights can be purchased to brighten up any home.
The casinos have their own programs to celebrate Hot August Nights. Besides the cars on display or driving through there are many activities at each property.
Show N’ Shine at the Peppermill Casino.
The Peppermill has its display area on the north side of the Casino while the Atlantis has its larger display area on the west side across Virginia Street from the main Casino and hotel building.
The Atlantis has its Cruise of Champions, which is also a Show N’ Shine.
Of all the Casinos the Grand Sierra had the largest one due to its huge parking lots. Cars are displayed there, along an access road and in front of the main entrance.
Grand Sierra’s Show N’ Shine.
The vendors at each casino offer a large amount of things to buy. One truck at the Grand Sierra was full of about every Hot Wheels toy one could image.
Only a small part of the Hot Wheels collection a vendor at the Grand Sierra was selling.
Another part of Hot August Nights is the traditional car auction, now put on by Motorsports Auction Group. It’s located in the convention center across the street from the Atlantis Casino and Hotel.
Just some of the cars getting ready to be auctioned off.
Buyers can choose from all types of cars, vintage, muscle cars, exotic and not so exotic. You can also buy a Pink Cadillac that’s going on the block.
Ever want a pink Cadillac? Well one is being auctioned off this year.
Over in Sparks there is another performance attraction, drag racing.
While the strip is 333 feet long and located on the west side of the Casino and Hotel along the south side of I-80. Even though the drag strip is short it provides plenty of excitement.
A driver warms up his tires with a burn out before making a run on the Nugget’s drag strip.
This year there were the usual burnouts prior to a run that is launched by a timing tree. However one of the participants came with a four-wheel drive Diesel powered racer while two others raced in what appeared to be souped up riding lawn mowers.
At this year’s drag races there was a four-wheel drive, Diesel powered dragster shown here making a run.
One of the nightly highlights is the cruise. One is in downtown where cars will cruise under the arch on Virginia Street.
The other is in Sparks along Victorian Avenue where fans can sit under trees as they watch the cars and trucks parade by.
A Rat Mod from Miller’s Chop Shop was part of the cruise in Sparks.
Various eras and types of cars participate in the cruises. You could see a rat mod or a roadster.
Roadsters are another popular attraction during the cruise nights.
Then there are more traditional cars from the1940’s, 1950’s as well as the 1960’s.
A 1960’s era Corvette in the Sparks Cruise.
An earlier, more traditional entry in the Sparks cruise was a 1957 Ford Convertible.
This 1957 Ford Convertible was part of the Sparks Cruise.
All of the venues listed have entertainment every day and night. The biggest stage is probably at the Grand Sierra where an LED backdrop provides both color and scenes to accompany the bands.
Unfortunately this article can only skim the surface of what is offered. Not only is Hot August Nights large but it’s one of the happiest times of the year for residents as well as visitors.
On Sunday everything ends with the annual parade along Virginia Street starting at 8:30 a.m. where awards are presented and everyone gets a chance to drive their cars and trailers in the final good by.
Later Hot August Nights has two more functions this year. One is the Fall Frenzy on October 6th as well as the Classics and cocktails function is on October 20.
Next year the Spring Fever Revival will be on May 17 to 18. For 2019 HAN starts in Virginia City on August 2 and 3 then returns to Reno and Sparks on August 4 though the 9th.
For further information please check the website at, www.hotaugustnights.net.
If you didn’t visit this year, plan on next year. If you are here get out and enjoy what Hot August Nights has to offer then plan on returning.
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We now have six very appreciated sponsors that are helping support this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport.
Our newest is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street, unit C. They stock accessories and have a large service department.
The shops website is www.moto-source.com and their phone number is 775-856-3855.
Big Valley Honda is the first dealer in our family of sponsors. They sell everything from motorcycles, UTV’s, ATV’s and about anything else things one could want.
Their location is at 2225 Market Street in Reno and their website is www.bigvalleyhonda.com and they have a Face Book page, www.facebook.com/bigvalleyhondareno.
Our first sponsor is a full service motorcycle shop, Reno Motorsports and they too have a full service shop as well as about anything a rider could want.
They are located at 964 Terminal way, by Mill Street and their website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
Sponsor PJ & Co Restaurant and Saloon located at 1590 Wells Avenue in Reno is familiar to most in the riding lifestyle.
Good food, great place and they have Bike Night every Wednesday. For further information please check their website at, www.pjandco.net.
Concours Body Shop, owned by racer and race supporter Gil Grieve, is a business doing quality repair work on cars and trucks.
The business is located at 240 Telegraph Street in Reno and their website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
If you are into karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing then check out Nevada Kart Sport, our only full service kart shop in this region.
The shop has moved to 894 Deming Way in Sparks and their website is, www.nevadakartsport.com.
Have a business targeted toward the motorcycle, motorsport or off road demographic? Well we are looking for more sponsors.
You can contact us either through the comment section of the site or our Face Book page.
