Hot August Nights

Later events also using the term were first created by Willie Ray Davison on August 1, 1986 with the intent to celebrate Rock and Roll music, America's culture in the 1950s, to increase tourism during the month and to raise money for charities.

Over the years, Hot August Nights has featured many notable hot rod, and custom car designers and builders such as George Barris, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and Tom Daniel to the Event as well as the cast of American Graffiti.

The week long event caps off on a parade of registered cars down Virginia Street on Sunday morning, the last day of the celebration.

The event branched off on its own and is now held in several locations, including Virginia City, Victorian Square in Sparks, Peppermill Hotel And Casino, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Grand Sierra Resort and Virginia Street in downtown Reno.

Officials, however, claimed at the time that there was no truth to the rumors that they wished to discontinue the popular Reno event.