Hot August Nights has arrived in the Biggest Little City, with a kick-off party and show-n-shine at the Peppermill Hotel Spa Casino.
The sound of engines, is music to the ears of classic car lovers like Noel Vestbie, who carefully restored a stunning 1950 Oldsmobile.
"We started in 1990 for my 50th birthday and it took us 18 years before we got it painted, but we drove it around for about four to five years and then finally got it finished," said Vestbie, who lives in Reno.
You might wonder why anyone would spend so much time on a car. Vestbie says it's a labor of love.
"I had one when I was a kid, and in 1949 and 1950 they were the hottest cars in the world. They were the first super cars, I mean muscle cars, yeah," explains Vestbie.
You don't have to be a classic car owner to enjoy Hot August Nights; local businesses benefit as well. Bill Hughes, Director of Marketing Operations for the Peppermill, says his hotel is mostly sold out.
"Events like this bring in a different group of people to the city and I think they come and see the city in a new light," says Hughes. "I cannot tell you how many people you meet where they come in for different events, conventions or whatever and say I didn't realize Reno was so great."
We saw plenty of families and even a woman from Colombia, South America, who was visiting Reno for the first time. Jannette Rohtert was excited to see cars like the one she had growing up.
"I like the Ford pickup truck," says Rohtert. "The F-100, because my father in Colombia used to have one and when we were little he used to take us to school in that car."
The classic cars bring back fond memories for people of all ages. Hughes still recalls a car he had decades ago. "I used to have a ‘65 Corvette I used to love," he said. "I think I sold it for about $1,200, so somebody got a good deal but that was about 30 years ago."
No matter what the reason, people were enjoying the first evening of Hot August Nights 2012.
"They look like gems," says Rohtert. "Each one has a beautiful color, different colors, different models, they shine under the sun. It's beautiful, it's candy for the eye."
Written by Jennifer Burton
