I've been away for a few days.  Had arthoscopic knee surgery on Friday morning but am back at the keyboard so I thought with the long holiday weekend a week or so away, that I would update the info that came in over the weekend.  Thanks to all who wrote with their well wishes!  I'm hobbling around the house but not in nearly as much pain as I was in this time last week!

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!

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. 

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.

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. 

Just 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.