Hot August Nights expanding to Long Beach
By Ray Hagar, Reno Gazette-Journal
Hot August Nights officials said Thursday that the region’s largest special event will begin in Long Beach, Calif., in 2011 before coming home to Lake Tahoe and the Reno-Sparks area.
Both mayors of Reno and Sparks said they fear that expanding the special event to Long Beach might be the precursor to the event eventually leaving Northern Nevada.
Hot August Nights, a celebration of classic cars and rock ‘n’ roll, began in Reno in 1986. Organizers estimate that it brings in 800,000 people and $3.5 million to the Reno-Sparks area each year.
It will expand to Long Beach next year after widespread requests from cities wanting part of the event in their communities, said Bruce Walter, Hot August Nights executive director.