People slow to show for annual event

Monday, Aug. 2, 1999 | 8:57 a.m.

Hot August Nights and hotel officials expected some downturn in room bookings this year because of riots at last years event, and because no activities were scheduled after noon on Saturday.

"I think some of the properties are definitely hurting," said David Saville, executive director of the event celebrating America's love affair with classic cars, poodle skirts and vintage rock 'n' roll music.

In its 14th year, Hot August Nights attracts more people and money to Reno than other annual event. Officials 200,000 people attend over seven days, generating $116 million for the local economy.

The Saturday night violence in 1998 was the first large disturbance at the event in 10 years.

In past years, the event climaxed on Saturday night and some events extended into Sunday. This year's Hot August Nights officially ends at noon on Saturday, partly because police want to reduce crowds that contributed to the chaos and violence last year.

"All the rates in town are lower than they were last year," said Steve Trounday, spokesman for Fitzgeralds Casino-Hotel, adding that the hotel isn't requiring a three-night minimum stay this year. "We've got some participants who could take a long weekend but couldn't take Wednesday off."

Earl Clayton, 55, a salesman for a manufacturing firm in Denver, cites the schedule change as one of the reasons he's not returning this year.

"You have to miss so many days of work to make it to your event," he said. "This year Thursday, Friday, Saturday and nothing on Sunday - it ruins the whole work week."

Stephen Ascuaga, executive vice president for marketing at the Nugget, said he expects the hotel to be fully booked for the event this week. Other large hotels, such as the Peppermill and Silver Legacy hotels, also expect to be full.

But smaller properties are less upbeat.

"Reservations for Hot August Nights are going very poorly, especially in the early part of the week," said Gary Bullis, owner of the 100-room Showboat Inn on North Virginia Street. "The reason, according to my manager, is primarily the scheduling."