Minden all in for Hot August Nights

Minden will be the ace in Hot August Nights’ annual Sparks Poker Run today.

“Last year we had one of the biggest turnouts with about 500 cars,” said A.J. Frels, executive director of the Carson Valley Visitors Authority. “We’re anticipating even more classic cars this year.”

According to the Hot August Nights schedule, Minden Park is the second stop on the annual poker run that also visits Virginia City.

But Minden is reserved for lunch, and Frels said Minden Meat & Deli will start serving around 10:30 a.m.

There are a lot of groups involved in bringing Hot August Nights to Minden, including the Valley Cruisers car club.

Lions will be selling treats. The Tahoe-Douglas Elks Club has a tent set up to provide shade.

“People will be stopping by, drawing a card for the poker run, and having a bite to eat,” Frels said.

Downtown Minden will be closed 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the classic cars. “We want them to check out the shops and restaurants in our area,” he said. “There should be a lot of neat cars there.”

Frels said the Visitors Authority’s mobile visitors center is set up at the Grand Sierra Resort to share information about the Valley with visitors.

Other poker run stops include the Atlantis Casino Resort, Virginia City, Champion Chevrolet and Audi Reno Tahoe.

Friday and Saturday saw classic cars visiting Stateline as part of the kick-off for Hot August Nights.

Hot August Nights was founded Aug. 1, 1986, and is celebrating its 28th year. Today will be the sixth straight year Hot August Nights has come to Minden.