The Biggest Little 5er Fest, Reno, NV - September 10-12, 2021 - FINAL STRETCH!

[Karl Grau]

Should this be called "The Littlest Little 5er Fest"? I see 8-9 attendees. Do the organizers have a more accurate count?

[Kenny Blankenship]

We're down to a few weeks left for registration and t-shirt orders! The sooner the better!!!

[Ripton]

Any ETA on getting T's out? Thanks!

[Kenny Blankenship]

Good question...we will get a final shirt count in a few weeks then the t-shirts will be made. The shirts will be mailed out in the days after the event.

[wkohler]

If you are planning to attend this event and have not yet registered, please register. I have heard several people discussing and even making lodging plans and they have not yet registered. You don't get a discount for registering at the last minute.

Here's the registration link again for those that don't want to go back to the first post in this thread.

msreg.com/BiggestLittle5erFest

[travisj]

Any ETA on getting T's out? Thanks!

Oh Shit! I didn't know it was going to be that kind of party! Definitely need to book my room now!

[Kenny Blankenship]

Any ETA on getting T's out? Thanks!

Oh Shit! I didn't know it was going to be that kind of party! Definitely need to book my room now!

I'm not booking any rooms, even private ones...

But please register!

[travisj]

Went back to bite the bullet and book a $150/nt room at that Western Casino, and none available now. Anyone staying at a different hotel?

[Kenny Blankenship]

Went back to bite the bullet and book a $150/nt room at that Western Casino, and none available now. Anyone staying at a different hotel?

There appears to be a room at the Super 8 and Victorian Inn. Of the two, I would prefer the Super 8 because despite the gentrification there still is riff-raff wondering around downtown Sparks (however if the hotels are full you will have good company though...). If you want to stay around Reno there is the Sure Stay near the airport at $169 per day. I have stayed there and it wasn't bad. For a few bucks more you can stay at the nice new hotels at the Sparks Marina.

If you're willing to drive a bit there is a NEW Studio 6 at the Reno/Tahoe Industrial Center on USA Parkway. It's 18 miles from Sparks but it's all freeway and no traffic. A little desolate at night and not many conveniences (get stuff in Sparks if you need it). It appears they may have a special going on right now for $100 a night if you register on the Studio 6 website directly. I think there's a brothel on the way there too... This may be the way to go...maybe you can sneak a peek at the Tesla Gigafactory while you stay there.

[johnnye23]

Hmmm. If I can get Stacy to drive me up we will be there . I'm still recovering from foot surgery.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Dammit Johnny, what do I have to do to get you here? Tell me what I have to tell Stacy. She can hang out with Pam while we sausage fest the day away!

I still have my crutches from knee surgery if you need them.

[travisj]

Went back to bite the bullet and book a $150/nt room at that Western Casino, and none available now. Anyone staying at a different hotel?

There appears to be a room at the Super 8 and Victorian Inn. Of the two, I would prefer the Super 8 because despite the gentrification there still is riff-raff wondering around downtown Sparks (however if the hotels are full you will have good company though...). If you want to stay around Reno there is the Sure Stay near the airport at $169 per day. I have stayed there and it wasn't bad. For a few bucks more you can stay at the nice new hotels at the Sparks Marina.

If you're willing to drive a bit there is a NEW Studio 6 at the Reno/Tahoe Industrial Center on USA Parkway. It's 18 miles from Sparks but it's all freeway and no traffic. A little desolate at night and not many conveniences (get stuff in Sparks if you need it). It appears they may have a special going on right now for $100 a night if you register on the Studio 6 website directly. I think there's a brothel on the way there too... This may be the way to go...maybe you can sneak a peek at the Tesla Gigafactory while you stay there.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I was able to book a room through the actual Western Casino site. $378 for the two nights

[Karl Grau]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

[wkohler]

I don’t think 7 years is a problem especially on tires that have been inside. I’ve driven a lot further on older!

[kojo96]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

That's middle age in tire years.

[Kenny Blankenship]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

As long as there is no cracking on the sidewall you should be fine. Take a test drive along PCH...

The hottest part of the year has already passed here (theoretically). The daily average will be a few degrees cooler at the time of the event. We will already be seeing the first sub-90 degree temp of summer on Wednesday (the historical average is 93 right now).

[Kenny Blankenship]

We are down to the last couple of weeks. If you plan to attend and not yet registered, please do so. I need an accurate count for reservations and lunch!

I have ordered the shirts and will have a limited number of extras. If you have not ordered, please place your order so I can make sure I am not short. I'm lucky I have an accommodating printer who can make extra shirts if necessary, but I prefer not to test his generosity.

It will be great to see everyone again!!!

[Mike W.]

OK, finally registered.

Question however, my long suffering wife Edie will be along, and I'm guessing a few spouses will also be. Any plans, options, suggestions etc for them during the Show and Shine on Saturday? Actually the events aren't as bad for her as the Friday/Saturday parties in Sandy Eggo where she feels like a fish out of water.

Also, I'm seeing dates, but no times. Early, like the crack of noon on Saturday, or even earlier?

[wkohler]

Eric has been working on the itinerary as some of the times are dependent on availability and they tend to affect other times. That should be available soon.

[Mike W.]

Lodging. I just booked Reno Suites, $340 out the door for 3 nights. Used to be Harrah's Reno FWIW.

[travisj]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

[vinceg101]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

Well, considering they just evacuated South Lake Tahoe Sunday and yesterday, probably not any better. The Caldor fire is cranking away and the winds are up I think through tomorrow so it's making a significant push eastward along with all the smoke and ash.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/

Meanwhile, the Dixie fire is still raging away to the north and west of Reno: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7690/

This was an interesting map for air quality (zoom into Reno and Lake Tahoe area): https://fire.airnow.gov/

[travisj]

I heard about the issues in South Lake Tahoe on NPR this morning. It's bad enough here in Colorado, but that area seems like a hot spot. At least we are supposed to get some rain in the next couple days that should help clear out some of the smoke. No such luck out there. Hopefully some of it gets cleared in the next week!

I am really looking forward to getting out of the office for a few days either way.

[Kenny Blankenship]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

It's highly dependent upon wind conditions. Generally, in the morning it's smoky, but the last two days the afternoon (25 mph) winds came out of the west and blew the smoke away. It was very clear in the afternoons! But pyrocumulus clouds in the north and south... A repeat performance tomorrow.

The Caldor fire affects us more than the Dixie fire at his point. If we get lucky and the wind comes from the north or northeast that weekend it will be clear. If it's from the southwest it will be very smoky.

This has affected plans for the drive. I initially had a route up Mt. Rose Highway to Incline Village then to Truckee and then to Verdi. Looks like it may not happen. I have an alternate route going north and then west and back south towards Truckee then Verdi, but not sure we can do that either due to the Dixie fire. I do have a third choice right now, but was originally holding that for Sunday morning...

In any event, Reno/Sparks will not be affected other than the less than ideal air quality...

OK, finally registered.

Question however, my long suffering wife Edie will be along, and I'm guessing a few spouses will also be. Any plans, options, suggestions etc for them during the Show and Shine on Saturday? Actually the events aren't as bad for her as the Friday/Saturday parties in Sandy Eggo where she feels like a fish out of water.

Also, I'm seeing dates, but no times. Early, like the crack of noon on Saturday, or even earlier?

Edie can hang with Pam at our house if she wants on Saturday. Maybe a tour of Reno even...the balloon race is that weekend.

As far as the schedule, I can give you a skeletal version (you will receive the final version via email):

Eat at a restaurant - Friday night 5:45 - 8pm.

Saturday Show and Shine - 9pm - 2pm.

Saturday Drive - 2:30pm - 5pm.

Saturday Dinner - 5pm -7:30pm

Sunday Drive and Brunch - 9am - noon (tentative).

[tig]

I am back in.

I will be driving Minerva down.

I have no idea where I am staying but Reno's big, right?

Fuck yeah!