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):

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

and 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.

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. 

By now most of you know that we are big fans of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve and not just because of the "Untold Stories" series we do there.   It is an incredible preservation project that charts the history of water in Southern Nevada and we believe in the path they are on.

This Sunday, June 8th, the Springs is celebrating its first anniversary with all you  can eat ice cream and more.  Over a year ago in this very blog we suggested that some sharp promoter should book The Pickadillos and Killian's Angels on the same bill.

Well, the Spring's Jodi Molever is that sharp promoter and has done just that.  This Sunday, if you don't go for the $6 admission fee or the free ice cream, go for some incredible music from two of the best local bands in Las Vegas.

The Pickadillos perform at:

12:40 - 1:30

3:45 - 4:30

You won't be disappointed.

Here's more info:

Since opening in June 2007, the Las Vegas Springs Preserve has entertained and educated hundreds of thousands of visitors with Grammy-winning artists, award-winning exhibits and a vision for a sustainable future. With 180 acres of LEED-certified building designs, museums, botanical gardens, galleries, trails and entertainment venues, the Springs Preserve has become a cultural hub for locals as well as for tourists seeking an off-Strip experience.

To celebrate a successful first year, the Springs Preserve will host an All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival on Sunday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will include improv comedy by Second City, live music by Killian's Angels and The Pickadillos, performances by Sharon Lynn's Celtic Storm Dancers, plus behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities to see the Springs Preserve's award-winning architecture. Tickets are $6 and include admission to the museums and galleries.

Keeping sustainability and conservation in mind, in its first year, the Springs Preserve:

• Produced enough electricity from its 2,200 solar panels to power about 80 homes for a whole year
• Saved 2,500 cubic yards of landfill space by coordinating, with the support of many community partners, the recycling and mulching of 19,000 Christmas trees
• Saved more than 1 million gallons of water by using artificial grass in place of sod in the 2,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre

As well, the Springs Preserve has been home to a variety of amazing events including the Winter Lights Festival, Cirque du Soleil 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk, World Water Day, Southern Nevada Cultural History Fair and Christmas Tree Recycling Program. The next year will bring many new and exciting happenings including the opening of the Nevada State Museum, a Haunted Harvest Festival and much more.

This event is made possible in part by the generosity of our community partners: Anderson Dairy, Whole Foods and AV Vegas.

You'll find us hanging around the stage listening to the second set of the Pickadillos.  Stop on by and enjoy the day with us! 

Last reminder about the incredible Classic Las Vegas Neon Event tomorrow evening as part of Untold Stories at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.

I have put together a DVD of photos and classic film footage of some of the old neon signs that I will be showing at the top of the presentation.

Also, don't forget we will be raffling off THREE, Framed, Limited Edition, Numbered prints of the Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau.  Raffle tickets will be $1 or 6 for $5, so be sure to bring some cash and take a gamble on winning one of these beautiful prints.

Neon Signage designed by Brian "Buzz" Leming

On Thursday, June 5th we are saluting Neon Designers Brian "Buzz" Leming and the incomparable Betty Willis as part of our "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve.

Betty Willis was born and raised in Las Vegas.  Her family used to travel by train to Los Angeles when she was younger and she fell in love with neon signs and their vibrant colors.  After studying at the California Art Institute in Pasadena and working in the art department/marketing at the old MGM studios, she returned to Las Vegas and began her career as a Neon Designer in those halycon classic Las Vegas days.  She has designed many of the most iconic signs we associate with Las Vegas:  The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, the Moulin Rouge and the Blue Angel, just to name a few.

Brian "Buzz" Leming grew up in Henderson and always loved drawing.  He became a fireman with the local department before deciding that what he really wanted to do was design neon signs.  He mentored under Betty Willis and worked with the legendary Hermon Boergne and Kermit Wayne.  His signs include the Lawless Center (above), the Hacienda Horse and Rider that rides above Fremont Street and the Rio sign.  He was part of the design team on the original Aladdin Sign and the original Caesars Palace sign.  Buzz is retiring this year after a long and colorful career.

We will be raffling off three limited edition prints of the Fabulous Las Vegas sign, courtesy of our friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau.

It all happens on Thursday, June 5th at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve

7:00 pm

Admission is $12.

You won't want to miss this rare opportunity to hear these two greats talk about their careers.