It's the first time the University of Nevada, Reno is hosting Hot August Nights in since they first held it in 1986.
Even though the Grand Sierra Resort is unable to accommodate this year because of construction, HAN staff are appreciative of the school stepping in.
Deny Dotson, executive director of HAN, says, "We want folks to come enjoy what we built. It's a very intimate setting, there's more space than we've had at GSR, there's public parking. I encourage everyone to go to the parking structures that the university has."
Dotson says the university offers over 200 more parking spaces for participants.
The Peppermill and Atlantis are also officially open for attendees with their usual show-n-shines, live music and vendors.
Regardless of staff checking in over 2,200 registrations in the first two days of the event, last weekend seemed to have been a slow start. Some people complained about a couple venues not having as many cars as expected.
However, Dotson and other participants say as the days continue on, and more venues open now, they believe it will start to pick up.
Wade Hollis, a participant from Washoe Valley, says, "It wasn't bumper-to-bumper cars like typical but then again it's Saturday. Everybody is still getting checked in. So now that Monday has rolled around and everybody is checked in and ready to go, the crowds were phenomenal. There was a ton of people to talk to."
Dotson says, "Some venues started a little soft and then finished strong like Virginia City. Their Friday afternoon was much better, their Saturday was much like we've had in the past, and I think what happened is a lot of people picked up their goodie bags and went and got situated."
Eric Lacayo, a participant from San Francisco, says, "Today is the first day we brought the cars out. Came here, probably going to go to the college a little bit later now that we know the ins and outs of what's going on."
Starting tomorrow, the GSR will be offering free shuttle transportation to and from the resort to the university.
To check out the full list of events at all venues you can check out the Event Schedule page on the Hot August Nights website.
