Hot August Nights: Love affair of cars and rock 'n' roll is back for another great year

hine your Chevy, detail your Deuce Coupe and hustle your hot rod over to Reno and Sparks' Hot August Nights for a celebration of America's love affair with cars and rock 'n' roll today through Aug. 9.

This "blast from the past" allows baby boomers to relive the "happy days" and it provides an opportunity for those who didn't experience the '50s and '60s firsthand to enjoy the era.

During Hot August Nights, cars are "cherry" and cruisin' is "too cool." More than 800,000 people flock to the event where cars are the stars and rock 'n' roll rules through dozens of concerts - most of them free - throughout the event.

There is a prom night, controlled cruises and show-n-shines, where you can watch rolling Rembrandts on display. If you are looking for parts for your car or a classic to take home there is a Swap Meet, the Big Boy's Toy Store and the Silver Auction.

The week culminates with a parade and awards presentations on Aug. 9.

Hot August Nights schedule highlights

There are hundreds of events going on for Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks, starting tonight and running through Sunday, Aug. 9. Here are some of the highlights. For a complete schedule, go to hotaugust

nights.net.

Today

5-9 p.m. - Bonanza Casino's Classic Show 'n' Shine. Entertainment by Hindsight. Bonanza Casino, 4720 N. Virginia St., Reno.

Saturday, Aug. 1

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Cabela's Show-n-Shine. Entertainment by Route 66. Cabela's, I-80 West.

3-6 p.m. - River Walk Wine Walk to benefit Hot August Nights Foundation. Downtown Reno. $25. To purchase tickets/maps, call Valerie at The Wild River Grille, 284-7455.

Sunday, Aug. 2

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Pre Kick-Off Party & Show 'n' Shine. Downtown Reno, 4th and Virginia streets. Music by Route 66.

Monday, Aug. 3

10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Circus Circus Show 'n' Shine - Parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Sierra Streets in Reno

12-9 p.m. - Sparks Victorian Square Craft Fair

4-10 p.m. - Kick-Off Party and Cruise Night, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Reno. Entertainment by Johnny Barron & the Bel Aires and Sharon and the Chevelles.

4-10 p.m. - Classic Specialty Cars on display, Peppermill

5-9 p.m. - Sparks Pre-Kick-Off Party

7-9 p.m. - Open Cruise Downtown Sparks.

7-9 p.m. - "Trial By Fire" A Tribute to Journey, Victorian Square, Sparks

Tuesday, Aug. 4

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - John Ascuaga's Nugget & Coors Ultimate Classic Car Competition.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. - Sparks Victorian Square Craft Fair

11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort Show 'n' Shine.

12-9 p.m. - Cruisin' Craft Fair & Acres of Champion show 'n' shine, Atlantis Casino Resort.

12-10 p.m. - Classic Specialty Cars on display, Peppermill.

2-6 p.m. - Summit Racing Equipment show 'n' shine, 960 E. Glendale Ave., Sparks

3-5 p.m. - Local's Classic Car Show 'n' Shine Competition, Peppermill.

5-6 p.m. - Freestyle Hula Hoop Contest, Atlantis.

5-10 p.m. - Cruise of Champions, Atlantis.

6-8 p.m. - Guinness Book of World Records Hula Hoop Contest - Atlantis.

7-10 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Sparks

8-8:30 p.m. - Classic Hot Rod Showcases, Peppermill.

8-9 p.m. - Freestyle Hula Hoop, Atlantis.

11 a.m.-8:15 p.m. - Fantastic Diamond, Grand Sierra Resort

8:15 p.m. - Abbacadabra, Victorian Square, Sparks

Wednesday, Aug. 5

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Eldorado and Silver Legacy show 'n' shine. 4th & Virginia St.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - John Ascuaga's Nugget & Coors Classic Car Competition.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Poker Walk. 4th & Virginia St.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Big Boy's Toy Store. Reno Events Center.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. - Sparks Victorian Square Craft Fair.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort show 'n' shine.

Noon-9 p.m. - Craft Fair & show 'n' shine, Atlantis.

2-10 p.m. - Meet the stars and see the cars from American Graffiti. Peppermill.

3-5 p.m. - Peppermill Night Life show 'n' shine Competition.

5-9 p.m. - Sock Hop Presented by Circus Circus. Tickets $5. Call 789-5604.

5-10 p.m. - Cruise of Champions, Atlantis.

7-10 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Reno, Downtown Sparks.

8-8:30 p.m. - Classic Hot Rod Showcases, Peppermill.

8:15 p.m. - Papa Doo Run Run, Grand Sierra Resort.

8:15 p.m. - "Satisfaction" A Rolling Stones tribute, Victorian Square, Sparks.

Thursday, Aug. 6

7 a.m.-6 p.m. - Swap Meet & Cool Car Showroom, Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

8 a.m.-10 p.m. - Silver Auctions, RSCVA.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Eldorado and Silver Legacy show 'n' shine.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - John Ascuaga's Nugget & Coors Classic Car Competition.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort show 'n' shine.

12-9 p.m. - Craft Fair & show 'n' shine, Atlantis.

2-10 p.m. - Meet the stars and see the cars from American Graffiti, Peppermill.

3-5 p.m. - Peppermill Night Life show 'n' shine Competition.

5-10 p.m. - Cruise of Champions, Atlantis.

7-10 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Reno, Downtown Sparks.

7:30 p.m. - Disney's High School Musical Celebration. Peppermill. 800-648-6992.

8:15 p.m. - Kraig Parker as Elvis, Grand Sierra Resort.

8:15 p.m. - Sonny Turner of the Platters, Victorian Square.

9 p.m. - Bill Richards Coasters, Harrah's Reno. Tickets $25, call 775-778-2900.

Friday, Aug. 7

7 a.m.-6 p.m. - Swap Meet & Cool Car Showroom, Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

8 a.m. - 11 p.m. - Silver Auctions, RSCVA.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Eldorado and Silver Legacy show 'n' shine.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - John Ascuaga's Nugget & Coors Stock Original, Restored Competitions, Victorian Square, Sparks

10 a.m.-3 p.m. - show 'n' shine Awards - Victorian Square, Sparks and Downtown Reno

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Big Boy's Toy Store, Reno Events Center

11 a.m.-5 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort show 'n' shine.

Noon-4 p.m. - Boyd Coddington Wheels & American Racing Car Show. Limited to first 200 registered participants

Noon-9 p.m. - Craft Fair & show 'n' shine, Atlantis.

2-10 p.m. - Meet the stars and see the cars from American Graffiti. Peppermill.

3-5 p.m. - Peppermill Night Life show 'n' shine Competition.

5-10 p.m. - Cruise of Champions, Atlantis.

6 p.m.-1 a.m. - Drag Racing & Burnouts. Pit gates open at

4 p.m. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. Reno-Fernley Raceway, Fernley.

6:45 p.m. - Twist Contest, Atlantis.

7-10 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Reno, Downtown Sparks.

7:30-8:30 p.m. - Peppermill Night Life show 'n' shine Finals.

8-8:30 p.m. - Classic Hot Rod Showcases, Peppermill.

8:15 p.m. - The Temptations starring Dennis Edwards, Grand Sierra Resort.

8:15 p.m. - The Grass Roots, Victorian Square, Sparks.

7 p.m. - Summer of Love, Harrah's Reno Plaza.

9 p.m. - Bill Richards Coasters, Harrah's Reno. Tickets $25, call 775-778-2900.

8 p.m. - Golden Boys featuring Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell and Fabian, Silver Legacy. Tickets $75, $65, & $55.

12:15 a.m.-4 a.m. - Shake, Rattle and Roll, Peppermill.

Saturday, Aug. 8

7 a.m.-6 p.m. - Swap Meet & Cool Car Showroom - Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

8 a.m.-11 p.m. - Silver Auctions, RSCVA.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Eldorado and Silver Legacy show 'n' shine.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Celebrity Choice show 'n' shine, Reno, Sparks and Grand Sierra Resort.

9 a.m.-10 p.m. - Sparks Victorian Square Craft Fair.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Poker Walk Card Stops. Downtown Reno Hands back by 3 p.m. 4th & Virginia St.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Big Boy's Toy Store, Reno Events Center.

12-9 p.m. - Craft Fair & show 'n' shine, Atlantis.

2-10 p.m. - Meet the stars and see the cars from American Graffiti, Peppermill.

4 p.m. - Eldorado and Silver Legacy show 'n' shine Best of Show, 4th & Virginia Streets.

5-10 p.m. - Cruise of Champions, Atlantis.

6-9 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort Super Cruise.

6-9 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Reno.

6 p.m.-1 a.m. - Drag Racing & Burnouts. Pit gates open at

4 p.m. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. Reno-Fernley Raceway, Fernley

6:45 p.m. - Twinkie Eating Contest, Atlantis.

7-10 p.m. - Controlled Cruise, Downtown Sparks

7 p.m. - Summer of Love, Eldorado & Silver Legacy.

7:30 p.m. - The Village People, Grand Sierra Resort.

8 p.m. - The Beach Boys with Herb Dixon, Peppermill. For tickets call 800-648-6992.

8:15 p.m. - Gary Puckett, Victorian Square, Sparks.

9 p.m. - Bill Richards Coasters, Eldorado & Silver Legacy. Tickets $25. 775-778-2900.

9:30 p.m. - Grand Sierra Resort "Best of Show" $10,000 Competition, Grand Theatre.

Sunday, Aug. 9

8 a.m.-8 p.m. - Silver Auctions, RSCVA

8:30 a.m. - Car awards presentation & Parade of Champions, Downtown Reno, 4th & Virginia Streets.

10 a.m. - Official Parade, Downtown Reno.