Hot August Nights of Lake Tahoe/Long Beach viewed as a slap in the face to Reno/Sparks

Hot August Nights of Lake Tahoe/Long Beach? This is a slap in the face, and shows utter disrespect to the business owners, hotels, casinos, volunteers, and citizens of Reno/Sparks! The current Hot August Nights Board of Directors and their Executive Director/CEO, Bruce Walter, have no clue or respect for the event, or what it has meant for Reno/Sparks.

For the past 24 years they have made the event what it is today through blood, sweat, and tears. In addition, sponsorship of the event has made a difference, not to mention, has given it longevity.

As Founder of Hot August Nights, my vision was to expand the event to run the whole month of August. That’s why I called it Hot August Nights. My plan was to have one week for Fords, one week for Chevys, one for GMC (Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Buicks), and one for Obsolete Irons (Hot Rods), but any car could come during all of the weekly events.

When we started, Coors and Coke would be a sponsor one week, Bud and Pepsi the next, and Miller and Dr. Pepper the following, etc. As Downtown Special Events President, this would give everyone a piece of the pie. That way more sponsors would have the opportunity to be the host hotel (4). More hotel rooms could be filled, more restaurants patronized, and more businesses could be involved. Before we go off to Long Beach, let’s do a second and third week in Reno.

Bruce Walter, Executive Director (2009) of Hot August Nights, is on record telling the City of Sparks in April 2009, “The Board has instructed me to look for alternative positions if we cannot come to terms with the City of Sparks.”

I have to say, again, this plan is a slap in the face to all of us in Reno/Sparks. If this is such a good idea, the CEO and the Board should all resign and go start another event themselves. Don’t use Hot August Nights’ reputation and investment.


W.R. “Willie” Davison
Co-Founder 1986
President 1987
29 E. Lenwood Dr
Sparks, NV 89431
775-233-4757