Attending Hot August Nights - Virginia City Nevada

[marriest]

I would like to attend Hot August Nights and would like to talk to someone that has been there.
I have been to the web site and see it runs for the whole week Aug 3rd thru the  11th. Any insight would be appreciated. Recommend place to stay or days to attend. I would be visiting from Florida and hope to visit Lake Tahoe also.
Terry Marries
248.709.9685

[X33RS]

I've been a few times.  We always stayed with my sister-in-law so I can't be of any help on the motel deal.  But I would assume they fill up fast, and even though we are still 4 months out, I'm guessing many are already full.

As far as the event, it's a great time.  Basically a car show at every motel, and the swap meet I've found has always been fantastic.  Lake Tahoe is beautiful and plenty of other places to take your classic for a scenic drive.  Worth the trip.

[rich69rs]

I would like to attend Hot August Nights and would like to talk to someone that has been there.
I have been to the web site and see it runs for the whole week Aug 3rd thru the  11th. Any insight would be appreciated. Recommend place to stay or days to attend. I would be visiting from Florida and hope to visit Lake Tahoe also.
Terry Marries
248.709.9685

Terry,

Good to hear that you'll be attending this year.  It is a great time and you will enjoy it.  Each year, since 2001 when I first attended after moving to the area (I live in Minden, NV about 50 miles south of Reno) I have blocked out the 1st week of August as personal vacation time to attend HAN.  It is a great time and I have had my '69 RS registered in the event each year since 2009.    As far as I know, HAN is probably the biggest car show that occurs in one metropolitan area in the U.S. with about 6000 registered classic rides and probably another 2000 or so that aren't registered.  (Cruisin' the Coast along the Mississippi Gulf coast in Oct probably has more registered rides, but it is spread out between Pass Christian and Pasgagoula, MS whereas HAN occurs in the single metropolitan area of Reno/Sparks.)

I would definitely get your hotel reservation confirmed asap.  If you can get a room at either the Grand Sierra, Atlantis, or Peppermill Resort/Casinos you would be in the middle of the activity.  Another good place would be Harrah's in downtown Reno.  Wherever you stay, be sure and check what parking accommodations will be available (assume that you will have a rental car) especially if you stay at the Grand Sierra, Atlantis or Peppermill.  The north shore of Lake Tahoe is about a 30 minute drive from Reno, easily accessible, good highways, etc. 

The event in Virginia City (Aug3-4) is a weekend precursor to the main event the following week in Reno and the adjacent city of Sparks, NV.  The Virginia City "kickoff weekend" event originally was held at S. Lake Tahoe but was moved to Virginia City a few years ago. 

The following week (5-12 Aug), the main event occurs in Reno/Sparks with venues at the:

• Grand Sierra Resort/Casino
  Atlantis Resort/Casino
  Peppermill Casino/Resort
  Victorian Square in Sparks
  Nugget Casino/Resort in Sparks
  Downtown Reno
  and a few other smaller venues as well.

 
Each of the major venues will draw hundreds of cars.  The Grand Sierra Resort is the largest venue and probably has close to 1000 cars at that location alone.  Some folks move around and park at different venues during the week, some set up base camp at one venue and go from there.  A lot of activities occur including ongoing musical entertainment at the major venues, special entertainment at various locations each evening, crusing, drag races at the Nugget, drifting at a special course set up for the event, swap meet (Thus-Sat), and a car corral with rides for sale.  Usually there is an auction as well, haven't heard if that will occur this year.

From a scheduling perspective, after the weekend in Virginia City, there is basically some down time until about Wed of the following week when the main HAN activities really kick into gear.  From Sun-Tues there are several "kick off" show and shine "parties" that occur (including ones held at the Atlantis and Peppermill Resort/Casinos) that provide an opportunity for locals and other non-registered HAN vehicles to get in on the fun.  Beginning Wed., if you want to park your ride at one of the official venues you have to be a registered HAN attendee.

Look forward to meeting with you while you are out here.

Richard

[joesauer]

I've been to HAN 24 times.   Great event.  Agree with Richard, Wed. through Sunday morning is the best time to attend.  Hotel rates increase considerably Fri. & Sat. nights.  Hotel suggestions would include the Grand Sierra, Atlantis, Peppermill, or Nugget.   The automobile auction at the Convention center (near Atlantis) is a must see.  The National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno is great also.  I usually stay at the Grand Sierra or Atlantis.  Too hard to get my car out of the parking lots at some other hotels....Peppermill, Silver Legacy. 

[marriest]

Thank You all, I have made my reservations and am planning on spending 10 days near Lake Tahoe any must sees besides Lassen Volcanic National Park and Yosemite? Anything on Lake Tahoe?
Thanks
Terry

[Vince]

If memory serves me right there is a castle on Lake Tahoe.  There is an old paddlewheeler that goes out onto the lake.  I know there is a boating museum at Lake Tahoe with a lot of restored old boats.  Not too far away going toward California on I80 at Donner Lake is a museum and statue honoring the Donner Party that mostly perished due to an early snowstorm in the winter of 1846-47 on their way to California that trapped them on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas.  Hope this helps. 

[rich69rs]

If memory serves me right there is a castle on Lake Tahoe.  There is an old paddlewheeler that goes out onto the lake.  I know there is a boating museum at Lake Tahoe with a lot of restored old boats.  Not too far away going toward California on I80 at Donner Lake is a museum and statue honoring the Donner Party that mostly perished due to an early snowstorm in the winter of 1846-47 on their way to California that trapped them on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas.  Hope this helps. 

The "castle" is on an island in Emerald Bay (South Lake Tahoe) and was originally built by a wealthy lady as a tea house "get away" for her and her guests back in the 1920's if memory serves.  There are a couple of paddle wheelers that take you on a tour around S. Lake Tahoe and will go past the island in Emerald Bay.  See photos.

The Donner Party got stuck at what is now "Donner Lake" near Truckee, CA (N. Lake Tahoe) and there is a state park there - worth seeing if you have the time.  And if you get there, the town of Truckee, CA which you will be very close to, is worth an afternoon visit as well.

Very important things to remember about coming here, especially in August.

The "valleys" where Reno, Carson City, Minden/Gardnerville are located are all at 4500 feet give or take.

Lake level is 6200 feet.

It will be hot in the afternoon, 90's for sure, 100 is not out of the question.

Because of the elevation and summer temps, relative humidity in the afternoon can easily be in the single digits.

Due to the low humidity, your sweat will actually evaporate quickly and your skin, for the most part, will stay dry.  Danger here is dehydration without realizing it.  Drink lots of water during the day.

Due to the elevation and low humidity, the sky is "high and blue" - the ultraviolet index reading can easily reach 8-9.  Sunburn is a real concern.  Many folks come up here from sea level and think that since they can be out in the sun
back at home and don't burn, that there is nothing to worry about here.  That is not true.  The U/V can be and usually is very high in the summmer afternoons.  Hats, cool clothing, plenty of sunscreen, and shade are critical items.

Richard

[Mike S]

 Am I the only one who read this title and immediately thought of Neil Diamond's 'Hot August Night' album? 

Mike

[rich69rs]

Am I the only one who read this title and immediately thought of Neil Diamond's 'Hot August Night' album? 

Mike

The 1st "Hot August Nights" occurred in Aug 1986 - a small event which grew in size very quickly in the following couple of years.

I've never heard anyone make a direct connection between the 1972 live album by ND and the event "Hot August Nights".... but you gotta believe that the connection must have been made in someone's mind back when they were trying to come up with a name for the event.

Richard

[BULLITT65]

Neil Diamond... thats funny. I started attending the show back in the 90's when i was teen. The show has changed a bit since then, but mostly for the better.

I have been to many car events across the country, and HAN IMO has the most condensed amount of classic cars. There were so many when you are cruising around, you constantly have to have your head on a swivel. Jack Buss also has been there for the past few years ( except last year) , and reported that a group of 1st gen Camaro guys, parked together. I think he said there were about half a dozen real Z cars parked in row. Unless you go to a nationals event you don't really get to see that many one spot, so to see a handful of real ones all parked together is pretty cool.

I don't know how they organize the cruising now a days, but back then you could cruise down Virginia and all the other streets registered or not, it was a blast. You would be in pleasant traffic moving at a slow enough pace to check out all the cars around you. The sights and sounds of being surrounded by all those candy colored paint jobs, chrome and deep tone exhaust created a lot of good memories.

Have fun and take plenty of pics!

[69Z28-RS]

HOT August Nights began in 1986, and it occurred on the weekend following a 'dual national meet' of the NCRS, and the National Nomad Club.  A memorable convention for sure with all the normal convention activities of both organizations along with a couple of joint activities, that concluded with a 'night in Reno' during the opening of the Hot August Nights (only one I've ever been to).   Many of you perhaps know of the *connection* between the National Corvette Restorers Society and the National Nomad Club... but if you don't.. the connection is the "Waldorf Nomad"... a 1953 Corvette Nomad show car prototype built by Chevrolet for showing at their annual show in New York (Waldorf Hotel).   That show and the interest shown prompted GM (Harley Earl) to make a decision to produce the Nomad wagon on the passenger car chassis beginning in 1955 model year.   They had three versions of the '53 Corvette (the convertible with removable hardtop, a 'fastback Corvette referred to as the 'Corvair', and the Corvette Nomad)...

PS.  I thought the first HAN was actually in late July... as that's when our conventions always occurred, but perhaps the two organizations moved the date and I'm just not remembering it...?

[rich69rs]

PS.  I thought the first HAN was actually in late July... as that's when our conventions always occurred, but perhaps the two organizations moved the date and I'm just not remembering it...?

Almost, from the history page of the HAN website:

"During an evening night on August 1, 1986, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center was bursting at the seams with hundreds of revelers who were partying, cheering and pushing to be let in to a first-time event of a magnitude yet to be realized. Inside, 10,000 spectators were massed together in anticipation of seeing and hearing a live event of the Righteous Brothers, Wolfman Jack, and Jan & Dean!  It was that night when nostalgia was unleashed among an audience who excitedly relived their childhood years of the 50’s and 60’s- a time of innocence, prosperity, cars and the birth of Rock and Roll. The weather was HOT, the month of AUGUST was right, therefore, HOT AUGUST NIGHTS was born!

The aim of Hot August Nights was to fill a void in tourism in Reno during the month of August and to raise money for local charities. The first concert was held in the Convention Center parking lot where most hadn’t danced to “that” music, to a live band, under the stars, since high school. The memories flooded back and so did the desire for more!  The first year of Hot August Nights was more of a nostalgia event than a car event. But it was the car parade that was the highlight of the Event for the participants and the crowds who thronged Virginia Street. The car owners were thrilled to show off their cars. They’d never had so many people “oohing and aahing” over their “works of art”. It was a proud moment for classic car owners."

I moved out here in 2001 (first year I went to HAN) so the 1st event was before my time....but boy what an event it has grown into.

Richard

[BULLITT65]

Now that you mention the concerts, my friends and i did attend a beach boys concert while we were there. It was probably the 3rd time I had seen them live.
With "little deuce coupe" , "409", "little ole lady from pasedena" , so many great tunes involving cars. To arrive at a concert where the parking lot os full of hot rods and muscle cars, you know you are in good company. Once you are pumped up from those great songs to go out to the parking lot and know you have a full night of cruising ahead, just awesome.

[rich69rs]

I don't know how they organize the cruising now a days, but back then you could cruise down Virginia and all the other streets registered or not, it was a blast. You would be in pleasant traffic moving at a slow enough pace to check out all the cars around you. The sights and sounds of being surrounded by all those candy colored paint jobs, chrome and deep tone exhaust created a lot of good memories.

Yup, crusin' in the evening is still very much a big part of HAN.  Formal HAN sponsored cruises occur from Wed-Sat nights in downtown Reno down Virginia St and under the "Reno Arch" and down Victorian Ave in Sparks through Victorian Square.  Some of the casinos sponsor their own events.  The Atlantis sponsors their Cruise of Champions for example.

First pic below is downtown Reno cruise, second pic is Cruise of Champions photo  (ignore the guy behind the wheel)

Richard