For the 29th year in a row, Hot August Nights has flooded the streets of Reno, Nevada, with thousands of custom hot rods and muscle cars from around the country, and with spectators flocking to the area.
While the road to Reno can be more challenging for some then others, the reward is spectacular. As you enter the city, the boring beige sedans reminding us of our everyday duties seem to fade away as we become engrossed in chrome, loud exhaust, flashy paint, and rumbling motors.
Photography by Matthew Fink
With Hot August Nights having so many activities at locations throughout the city — including a Barrett-Jackson auction — it can be intimidating to know where to start your exploration into an era of automotive culture. The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is one of the most eye-catching and tallest buildings in Reno, making it easily seen and a good place to start. Dozens of cars already lined the entrance to the hotel while hundreds more filled the parking lot below.
Vendors were present, there were rows of fair food available and show attendees lined their lawn chairs to become submersed in musical hits from the 1950s and ’60s while the best of Motown was played by bands on stage. People were dancing. As if the cars and music weren’t enough to make you think you had traveled back in time, many show attendants dressed in outfits from the era. Women were seen in Poodle skirts, men rocked a greased-back look.
As the Reno sky was set on fire with a spectacular sunset, it was both encouraging and heartwarming to see grandparents sharing stories they had with their children and grandchildren about the cars they had in their younger years, and to see many young family’s enjoying the cool classics.
A short distance away, the streets of downtown Reno had been closed off to public traffic to allow for a classic cruise. All kinds of hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, vans, and wagons made their way down Virginia Avenue with thousands of spectators lining the streets, waving at the different vehicles that passed by.
And these were just two of the many events throughout the city as part of Hot August Nights in Reno. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Hot August Nights website.
