Virginia City has always been a tourist trap, taking advantage of the special events that go on throughout the summer none of them are bigger than Street Vibrations, bringing in millions of dollars to the economy.
The rumbling of engines means that for the next four days Virginia City will be full of motorcycles and people looking to spend their money.
"Street Vibrations is our granddad," Storey County Tourism Director Deny Dotson said. "It brings in the most people, the most revenue for the town."
Tens of thousands of people, from all over the world, will be passing through the Comstock during this annual festival.
"Folks love to come up to Virginia City because of our uniqueness and the character we have up here, in the Comstock, and folks are able to let their hair down, so to speak, and just have a great time," Dotson said.
Bill Wolfe has been coming to Street Vibrations for the last eight years, riding 450 miles from Oregon to Virginia City.
"I think the history, here," Wolfe said. "It's just fascinating to walk around and look at he pictures of the old stuff. We actually went to the cemetery, today. Checked that out, the boardwalks. It's just cool up here, really."
This event is all about the motorcycles, but bikers like Bob Dixon say it's also a great vacation.
Dixon is a Sacramento resident who says it's also a lot of fun to meet so many different people.
"Everybody's friendly," Dixon said. "Everybody helps each other. If you need something, the guy standing next to you has probably got what you need and he'll help you out."
Finding an open seat is hard to come by at local businesses like the Bucket of Blood Saloon.
The bar's owner, Marshall McBride, says he is expecting a lot more noise for the next few days, but the bikers are a welcome site.
"There's a lot of camaraderie," McBride said. "We don't have any problems. They police themselves, and if someone bumps into one another, both parties turn around and say 'I'm sorry' or 'Excuse me.'"
People here say special events like this one is what gets many of these businesses through the winter months, when tourism slows down.
"Street Vibrations is the last major event we have for the summer," McBride said. "So, it's a big boost in the arm for the economy and for everyone's business, in Virginia City."
"A lot of folks probably pay their bills for the year, with this one event," Dotson said. "It's very impactful for us."
Virginia City is really going to be busy this weekend with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people heading up the mountain. Locals here say it has a Mardi Gras atmosphere.
Written by Paul Nelson
