Classic cars, drag racing and even some faux Rolling Stones.
Sparks is ready to roll out the welcome mat for another Hot August Nights, which begins July 30 and runs through Aug. 7. It is the 30th anniversary of the popular car event, and organizers are making plans to make it one of the best.
“Over the years, Hot August Nights has become a tradition for so many families and friends,” says Mike Whan,’ the event’s executive director. “People plan annual trips around the festival to revel in the weeklong celebration. As an event-based organization, we continually try to plan something new for our 6,000 registrants and hundreds of thousands of attendees to look forward to.”
One of the most popular HAN events happening in Sparks is the Drag Races & Burnouts, where participants and attendees can get their adrenaline rushing in a race down the 1/16-mile track at the Nugget Casino Resort. Every evening from Wednesday, Aug. 3 through Saturday, Aug. 6, dragsters will compete for a daily cash prize of $100 for the fastest race time and $75 for the fastest reaction time. The winner throughout the week will qualify for the main Drag Races & Burnouts event on Saturday evening to vie for a bigger cash pot. Admission is $10 for Saturday’s grand finale.
“My favorite event is definitely the drag races,” says the Nugget’s Special Events Director Lisa Jensen. “It’s exciting to see all of the cars and people; the cars are so loud.”
Along with hosting the Drag Races & Burnouts throughout HAN, the Nugget will also be offering a classic car competition throughout the week with a best stock original/stock restored competition on Friday, August 5 and the Celebrity Choice Show-n-Shine on August 6.
“We have local-based cruise nights Tuesday-Saturday from 7-9 p.m. for the people not registered with Hot August Nights,” Jensen adds.
To augment the car shows and races, free concerts will be held every night in Victorian Square from Aug. 2-6. Headliners each night include Lady an the Tramps, Ronny & The Classics, Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show, Summer of Love, and Adbacadabra- the Ultimate Abba Tribute.
The Nugget’s Celebrity Showroom will also be home to Orbison and the Everly Brothers Reimagined Aug. 3-5 where fans can enjoy an unforgettable night (or two) of career-spanning hits. Tickets are $20 per person.
Summit Racing Equipment has a Show-n-Shine on East Glendale Avenue happening on Aug. 2 from 2-6pm and will also host a classic car poker run on August 4. HAN fans may also kick off their car-filled days with a $5 breakfast with $3 in free slot play at Baldini’s Casino from 7am-noon and then meander down to Victorian Square for the craft fair happening all day long.
Be a part of the action by putting together the perfect outfit found in the pop-up poodle skirt shop in the Nugget, then compete in the 50’s costume contest in Gilly’s Saloon where each night the winner of the best costume gets a $100 prize.
“A lot of families dress up- as characters from Grease; it’s really cute to see the kids get dressed up,” Jensen says.
After a long week of being dazzled by old timey cars, end your HAN with the grand finale parade in Downtown Reno starting at 10 a.m. and then stick around for the $10k all-cash Sunday drawings
And no one will judge you if you happen to find yourself back at Gilly’s for the bikini bull riding contest.
“A poodle skirt and a bikini top sounds like the perfect combination to me!” Jensen says.
For a full schedule of events, visit https://hotaugustnights.net/event-schedule/.
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