Las Vegas 4th of July 2008 Fireworks Displays- Updated Strip Hotels added

Updated on 7/1/08:

This was one of our most popular features last summer so we thought we'd update it for 2008 and bring it back: (We'll be adding to it as we get more info about more programs and displays):

Just added:  There will be firework displays on the famed Las Vegas Strip!  Scroll down the list for more information!   Be sure to check back as this list is getting updated almost daily now!

Fremont Street Experience is throwing a party, scroll down for details. 

9th Annual City of North Las Vegas Independence Day Jubilee
- The City of North Las Vegas will present this night of fun Thursday July 3 at Seastrand Park at 6 PM!  Come out for food, live entertainment and a fireworks show at 9:30 PM.  For more info call or visit: 633-2650, www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

Anthem Hills Park 4th of July
When: 7 to 9 p.m. July 4
Where: Anthem Hills Park, Henderson
Cost: Free
More info: 702-267-2171
The City of Henderson will celebrate Independence Day at Anthem Hills Park.

There will be entertainment provided by Oasis Jazz, KOAS followed by traditional fireworks.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fireworks
When: Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing at 5:45 and fireworks at 9 July 3
Where: The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Admission: $15 general admission; $12 senior citizens, military personnel and kids ages 6-12; $9 for children ages 5 and under
More info: 702-644-4444

The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will present its annual Fourth-of-July holiday spectacular on Thursday, July 3. The annual Night of Fire at LVMS' 3/8-mile asphalt oval will include fireworks, a thrill show and NASCAR-sanctioned stock car racing. Classes in competition on July 3 will include the Super Late Model/Late Model Combo class in a 76-lap feature, Modifieds, Legends Cars, USAC Focus Midgets, Bandoleros and Bombers.

The Bullring's concession stand features a family-friendly dollar menu, including: $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 beer.

Las Vegas 51s and Fireworks
When: 7:05 p.m. July 2 & 3 with fireworks immediately following the games
Where: Cashman Field
Admission: $13 general admission
More Info: 702-798-7825

The 51s host the Salt Lake Bees. Fireworks will follow the games both nights. July 3rd is also dollar beer night.

60th Annual Boulder City Damboree
When: July 4
Where: Boulder City

The annual event will feature a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. in Bicentennial Park; a parade at 9 a.m. beginning at Colorado and going down Nevada Highway; Damboree ceremonies and midway booths at Broadbent Park beginning at 10 a.m.; festivities from 6 to 11 p.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park; and fireworks at Veteran's Memorial Park at 9 p.m..
For more information, click here.

Downtown Henderson Fourth of July fireworks & celebration
When: 6-9 p.m. July 4
Where: Henderson Events Plaza and surrounding area
Admission: Free
More Info: 702-267-2171
All of Henderson will be celebrating in the Water Street District, along Water Street between Army and Basic, and Atlantic Avenue from Water to Lead.

Enjoy two stages of entertainment, one in the Henderson Events Plaza on the Amphitheatre Stage and one on the Convention Center Lawn Stage.

The Events Plaza Amphitheatre Stage will feature FAB followed by the Henderson Civic Orchestra.

The kids will be cooling off in the water play area and after watching the chalk artist at work they can try their hand at creating too.

The evening will end with fireworks shot off the top of City Hall.

Shuttle service will be available from Morrell Park at 500 Harris Street to Water Street.

July 4th Spectacular
When: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Hills Park, Summerlin
Tickets: $25 general admission in advance and $30 at the gate; $20 for children ages 6-12 in advance and $25 at the gate; and free for children ages 5 and under. Tickets for the Pavilion are $100 and includes food (no children allowed).
More info: 702-895-2787

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will presebt its annual 4th of July concert. This year will feature soloist Brent Barrett.

Fireworks at Station Casinos
When: 9:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch resort, Texas Station, Fiesta Rancho, Sunset Station & Santa Fe Station

The Grucci's of New York have been commissioned to produce "Lights Over Vegas" for 6 of Station Casinos properties around town. The fireworks show will be choreographed to music paying tribute to America and the fun spirit of Las Vegas and will include songs from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Yes, James Brown, ZZ Top and Copeland.

The musical score to "Lights Over Vegas" will be simulcast live on Beasley Broadcasting's four radio stations including KKLZ 96.3 FM Classic Hits, KCYE 104.3 FM Coyote Country, KFRH 102.7 Fresh FM and KDWN 720 AM talk radio.

Fireworks & Concert at Lake Las Vegas
When: July 4
Tickets: Single ticket prices for the America concert are $100.00 (Floating VIP seats), $75.00 (Reserved Seats) or $40.00 (general admission seats), and do not include tax or handling charges. Children ages 2 and under are free. Call 702-474-4000 or ticketmaster.com
The 1970's hit group "America" will perform at the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Lake Las Vegas.

Also, MonteLago Village will offer two hotel packages for the holiday. Travelers can choose one nights lodging in a one-bedroom suite and receive two tickets to the America concert. Or, guests can choose the "Big Bang Weekend" package, which features two night's accommodations in a one-bedroom suite, two tickets to the concert on Friday, July 4 and two passes to the Vino di Lago Wine Walk on Saturday, July 5.

JUST ADDED!!! Strip Hotels added!!!!

Friday, July 4th 

Caesars Palace will be hosting a fireworks display by the famed Grucci Family of New York. When you call the front desk, they don't seem to know they are doing this but if you are persistent, they will find someone who does know.  They are planning on informing their guests by letter on the morning of July 4th (presumably with the morning paper) but here is the info:

9:30 pm  at Caesars Palace  National Class Fireworks Display 

The Las Vegas Hilton had a little more info on their fireworks display.  I called the Special Events number and they told me right away that the fireworks will be going off at 9:30 pm over the Hilton Hotel.  The display is by the famed Grucci family of New York.

9:30 pm Las Vegas Hilton  State Class Fireworks Display

The difference between National Class and State Class displays appears to be the amount of money being spent for the displays. 

More Special Events

Free Swimming & Skating at Clark County Pools
When: July 4
Where: Cambridge Water Park, 3930 Cambridge St.;

Desert Breeze Water Park, 8275 W. Spring Mountain Road;

Desert Inn Pool, 3570 Vista Del Monte Dr.;

Paradise Water Park, 4770 Harrison Dr.;

Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St.;

Sunrise Pool, 2240 Linn Lane;

Sunset Pool, 2601 E. Sunset Road;

Walnut Water Park, 3085 Cecile Ave.;

and Whitney Pool, 5700 E. Missouri St.
More info: 702-455-8200
Clark County Parks and Recreation is taking Fourth of July back to the neighborhoods with activities for the whole family. Thirteen County pools, water parks and skate parks will host free events to help residents celebrate the nation's 232nd birthday.

Residents can enjoy free swimming at all pools and water parks from noon to 4 p.m.

Desert Breeze Water Park will be open from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Hollywood Skate Park, the County's only admission-based park near Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, will be open for free from noon to 4 p.m and requires signed waivers by a parent or guardian for entry into the skate park.

Skate parks at other recreation and community centers also will be in operation during that time. Although Hollywood Skate Park rents helmets, skaters are encouraged to bring their own to make sure they are protected.

Rock the Block with El Cortez
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: Fremont East Entertainment District, downtown Las Vegas
More information: 702-385-5200
The El Cortez hotel-casino brings the Fourth of July festivities downtown with Rock the Block, a concert featuring alternative rock sensations Taproot and Everlast.

The outdoor concert is free to the public and begins at 6 p.m. in the Fremont East Entertainment District. Turntablist and producer, DJ Lethal, formerly of House of Pain and Limp Bizkit, will also perform. As a special Independence Day tribute, Everlast will also debut a new song for concertgoers that honors soldiers serving abroad.

In addition to the rockin' festivities, the El Cortez is serving free White Castle hamburgers to its Jackie's Club Cortez members playing table games or slot machines between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. For additional information, visit Jackie's Club Cortez.

 ust Added!  7/1/08:

WHAT:          
Fremont Street Experience will premiere “Don McLean’s American Pie” Viva Vision light and sound show with a weekend-long 4th of July celebration. The events are free to the public and include an opening ceremony on Thursday, July 3 hosted by Nellis Air Force Base’s Honor Guard and National Anthem performers.
 
Live bands will also be a part of the three-day entertainment line-up performing on both the 1st and 3rd Street stages July 3-5. Downtown Las Vegas hotel-casinos Binion’s, Fitzgeralds, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget and Vegas Club will be selling 4th of July barbeque favorites from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday in addition to bar stations offering a variety of sodas, beers, cocktails and specialty drinks.
 

Fremont Street Experience:

Where:

Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street

WHAT:          
Fremont Street Experience will premiere “Don McLean’s American Pie” Viva Vision light and sound show with a weekend-long 4th of July celebration. The events are free to the public and include an opening ceremony on Thursday, July 3 hosted by Nellis Air Force Base’s Honor Guard and National Anthem performers.
 
Live bands will also be a part of the three-day entertainment line-up performing on both the 1st and 3rd Street stages July 3-5. Downtown Las Vegas hotel-casinos Binion’s, Fitzgeralds, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget and Vegas Club will be selling 4th of July barbeque favorites from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday in addition to bar stations offering a variety of sodas, beers, cocktails and specialty drinks. 

WHEN:          
Thursday, July 3
8:45 p.m.
Opening ceremony with Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard and a live performance of the National Anthem.  

9 p.m.
World Premiere of “Don McLean’s American Pie” Viva Vision show
“Don McLean’s American Pie” will repeat at 11 p.m.

Tejano Super Dance
When: July 4 and 5
Where: Riviera
Tickets: start at $55
More info: tejanosuperdance.com or www.myspace.com/tejanosuperdance The Academy of Tejano Artist and Musicians, and 1604 Entertainment Group are producing a two day Tejano Event at the Riviera. Come meet your favorite artists with our Fan Fare which starts at 3 p.m. Friday and continues at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Dance doors will open at 7 p.m. both days, where the first act begins at 8. Friday's line up: Los Badd Boyz Del Valle, Jessy Serrata, Jay Perez, and Ram Herrera. Saturday's line up: Jaime y Los Chamacos, Roberto Pulido, Los Desperadoz , and David Lee Garza.

Rockets Over The River
Where: Laughlin, NV
Cost: Free
More info: 702-298-2214
Just after dusk on July 4, the huge annual Rockets Over The River fireworks display will be free for public viewing along the entire Laughlin River Walk. Various celebrations are planned at the Laughlin hotels and casinos, and radio stations will simulcast each show's music with speakers set up on the river. 

Las Vegas and Surviving Historic Preservation Week

Whew!!!!

What a week!  It's hard to believe how much cool stuff went on this week and how much fun we all had.

Here's a little recap in case you weren't able to join us for all the fun, festivities and good times.

Tuesday's Roundtable Discussion of the History of Helldorado at the Clark County Museum was a great deal of fun (and a much appreciated shout-out to Glen Gamer and the mechanics at the Exxon station at Basic and Boulder Highway for a great assist).

Our panelists Emmett Sullivan, Don Payne and Tim Cashman all shared great stories and the audience was filled with people who shared their own Helldorado memories as well.  Thanks to everyone who participated and came out.  Special thanks to Mark Hall-Patton for moderating!

Wednesday night was a busy evening.  The Neon Museum had a special event and showcased the unveiling of the restored La Concha lobby.  It looks absolutely beautiful from what I hear and the way they sited the building is going to show off the entire museum when it opens hopefully a few years from now.

While the Neon Museum event (complete with Hard Hats with a La Concha logo) was underway, we were over at the Nevada State Museum with our Roadshow event, "Southern Nevada and the New Deal".  The docents had prepared Depression era snacks (the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches were the big hit) for everyone to enjoy.

The historians on the panel, Dennis McBride and Peter Gough did a great job of talking about the importance of the New Deal, the Alphabet Soup programs and our old-timers Johnny Pinjuv, Mike Pinjuv and Bonnie Rams told some wonderful and often humorous stories of what it was like growing up here during that era.  We talked about everything from the CCC boys (whom Ms. Rams said of "When we passed them on the street, my mother would tell me "Don't look at them" but I did because some of them were cute") to the infamous Roxie's at Four Mile.  

Someone in the audience asked what Roxie's was and without missing a beat, Dennis took the microphone, looked straight at the lady and said "It was a whorehouse" in his best dead-pan delivery.  It brought the house down.

Friday afternoon found us all at Brian Paco Alvarez's 'Re-Invention' exhibit opening at the Bridge Gallery in City Hall.  There are some great photos of the evolution of the Golden Nugget, the Horseshoe and the Morelli House along with wonderful historical information.  (Special thanks to all for including us as one of the information sources!) 

Collector Carey Burke, former Lt. Governor (and collector) Lonnie Hammergren, VeryVintageVegas fashion maven Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Hartley, Jack LeVine, Bob Stoldal and more turned out to hear Paco talk about the importance of the architecture downtown and the importance of the historical photos.  

This exhibit is up until the end of the month so if you get a chance be sure to check it out!

Yesterday was Preservation and Cultural History Day.  Our volunteers at the Huntridge were unable to give tours of the building due to safety and power issues.  So, instead, they answered questions and gave a history of the building to those that stopped by and in-between pulled weeds and generally cleaned up the grounds.  It was nearing 100 degrees by 11:00 am, so we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all that!

At the Springs Preserve, the Paiute Indians were performing their Pow-Wow Dance and it was great.  Indoors (thank the Lord) were all the museums and historic preservation groups.  We had a great time passing out information, spreading the word about how important it is to become involved in helping to save our history and answering questions.

The Film Festival's afternoon screenings included a History of Helldorado (a collaborative film by the Nevada State Museum and FCLV) that included some great shots of Helldorado parades from the 1950s (including the Sambo's that used to be on the corner of Bonanza and Las Vegas Blvd. North).

Dennis McBride showed home movies from the Abe Weinstein collection.  Weinstein owned a 16mm movie camera back in the 1950s and in addition to shooting the usual home movies of his family, he shot some great color footage of the iconic neon signs of the Las Vegas Strip at night, wonderful shots of the original Flamingo and Tropicana Hotels and more Helldorado Parades.

Historian Bob Stoldal showed two short films. "Is Anybody Listening?" was a series that KLAS did 25 years ago on the preservation issues of the day back then.  A young George Knapp was the reporter on some of them.  Great footage of the old Ice House, the old Las Vegas Hospital and Kiel Ranch main buildings before they were lost to fires of a suspicious nature.

His second film was a series of ads and commercials from his private collection on the way Las Vegas was advertised in the 1950s.

"The Story of Classic Las Vegas", our own documentary, followed.

We got to the Helldorado Parade staging area about 6:30.  It was hot but we were having a great time.  Dr. Lonnie Hammergren brought his float with signs from the Frontier and the Nevada Palace.  He had a Granny Clampett bench seat welded to the top of the cab.  Jack LeVine drove the float while Dr. Lonnie and Mary Joy Alderman rode up top.  Dr. Lonnie's wife, Sandy, sat along side.

We were there in our Pink Cadillac with Lorraine Hunt and her husband, Dennis Bono.  Walking alongside passing out Classic Las Vegas Tee-shirts were Pam Hartley, Jeff King, Jenny and Zane Donaldson.

About half-way down the parade route, due to how slow the parade was going, the Caddie overheated.  We were pushed to the side but got to watch the parade go by.  The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's float included a miniature of Fremont Street at night.  By far, our favorite float.  The Paiutes with their Pow-Wow Dance were our favorite group.  The Long Beach Mounted Police with their beautiful Palomino horses were ahead of us.  Following behind were two young boys with the world's largest pooper-scooper wagon and shovel.  Kudos to those boys for keeping the parade route cleared!

We ended up at Mickie Finnz on Fremont Street where we could hear the fireworks going off over the East Fremont Entertainment District.  Dr. Lonnie and Sandy were there along with Paco. pam, Jack, Mary Joy and the rest of the gang including Dennis McBride and our good friends from Los Angeles, Eric Lynxwiler and Phil McKinley.

We cooled off and enjoyed the band.  By the end of the night we were all singing along to the Johnny Cash and country-western tunes.

It was a great way to end a terrific week of preservation, culture and fun.  Thank you to all who helped make this the best attended Historic Preservation Week yet.  We look forward to next year!

A special shout-out to Allen Sandquist (RoadsidePictures):  Everybody Misses YOU!!!  Hurry back!!!

In the meantime, as soon as I get some of the photos from Jack LeVine and Eric I will post them.  I also have video of the parade that I will try to post early this week. 

In the meantime,

"You don't have to call me darling,  Dahrling, I wonder why you don't call me, you never even call me by name!"

Las Vegas News Bureau Exhibit

 

Fremont Street 1940s


Our good friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau have put together a photo exhibit for Preservation Week.

Curator Brian "Paco" Alvarez will be on hand to talk about the exhibit "Re-Invention".

"Re-Invention" focuses on the evolution or Re-Invention of downtown Las Vegas by comparing historic and current images of buildings such as Binion’s Hotel on Fremont Street and dramatic changes such as the re-location of the La Concha hotel lobby.

The buildings included in the collection of photographs are: Binions Horseshoe, El Cortez, Fremont Street Experience, Golden Gate Hotel, Golden Nugget, Hotel Sal Sagev, La Concha, Las Vegas Club, Las Vegas Grammar School (Fifth Street School), Las Vegas Post Office, the Morelli House, Union Pacific Railroad Station, and the Union Plaza. Included will be several aerial and over-all photos of Fremont Street.

This all happens on Friday, May 16th at the Bridge Gallery in City Hall. There is an opening reception from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and we encourage everyone to come on down and enjoy the photos.

The exhibit will stay up until May 30th but tomorrow is the only chance to hear Paco and local historian/preservationist Bob Stoldal talk about our history.

"Re-Invention"

Bridge Gallery, City Hall

Visitors may reach the gallery through the second floor of the Las Vegas City Hall parking garage on the southeast corner of Stewart Avenue and Fourth Street. Parking is by paid meter only. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. There is no charge for admission. For more information about the Bridge Gallery call (702)-229-1012.

 

Fremont Street Experience 2008 

 

Post Office 1940s

 

 Post Office 2005

 

 Fifth Street Grammar School

 

 Fifth Street Grammar School today undergoing restoration

Special Thanks to the Las Vegas News Bureau for letting us use these images! 

Fremont East Entertainment District Update

 

The Fremont East Entertainment District had a big party last August to kick-off the opening of the area that is located on Fremont Street  between Las Vegas Blvd. and Eighth Street.

The new neon  signs shining brightly at night and one of our favorite hang-outs is the Downtown Cocktail Room.  The Griffin and the Beauty Bar are also open.

Now word comes that the former National Dollar Store/7-11/Metro Sub-Station building on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Fremont (catty corner from Neonopolis) will transformed into The Hive, a two-story nightclub and alternative music venue.  Next door will be the Dowtown Burger Bar, a family style restaurant that will have sidewalk cafe seating.

The owners of the El Cortez also own the old Fremont Medical Building on the north side of Fremont Street at 6th.  This, of course, is the old JC Penney's store.  They are looking for someone to lease the building and upgrade the property.  The former Eaton's Dress Shop has had numerous signs in the window hearalding new openings that have yet to take place.

Our pals at CheapoVegas are very excited about the renovations going on at the Gold Spike (their favorite hang).  The Spike is undergoing a $3.5 million floor to ceiling renovation of the hotel and the casino.  The Siegel Group which owns the Gold Spike recently bought the Travel Inn (next door to the Spike) and will incorporate that property into the Spike. 

Word is even being floated that Neonopolis (now known as Fremont Square) may be showing some signs of life.  According to owner Rohit Joshi, a deli called "The Taste of California", an Italian Restaurant and a Sushi Bar are all set to open in the next few weeks.

Mike Nolan, general manager of the venerable El Cortez which continues to be a beacon of light and success in that area, was quoted as saying:

“Whether the economy gets better or worse, we can’t stop,” Nolan said. “You gotta keep moving or you’ll fall behind. There’s no such thing as sitting still. That’s what we’re working on.”

Here's hoping by the one-year anniversary this August that more businesses will have opened in the Fremont East Entertainment District.  This area has great potential, especially over the next five years as Fremont Street undergoes a historic renovation with the opening of Union Park and the other cultural sites that are set to open in a few years.