Courtesy of the Las Vegas Sun

Hundreds of locals and tourists gathered under the Fremont Street Experience's canopy to celebrate the Fourth of July with an innovative twist.

While many look forward to the holiday's spectacular fireworks shows, visitors downtown instead got to witness virtual fireworks on the Viva Vision big screen that features more than 12 million lights.

During the light shows, many stood with their necks craned to take in the view of the big screen while others danced and sang along to familiar favorites like Don McLean's "American Pie." The light shows coincided with the Fremont Street Experience's "Summer of '69" theme and members of the crowd, regardless of age, seemed to enjoy them.

"It's about bringing America together," said Eric Snyder, 25, of Las Vegas, after the night's first virtual display. Snyder also liked the fact that the digital fireworks "won't burn anyone's house down."

Others liked that admission to the Fremont Street Experience is free.

DeShaun Turner, 25, of Las Vegas, brought his nephew and three nieces downtown so they could have a good time without the risk of getting burned by sparklers or a rogue flying spinner.

"The Fourth of July is really for the kids," he said. "It's all about the fireworks and down here it's safe."

In addition to the shows up above, performances by live bands on two stages kept visitors entertained. The "Summer of '69" concert series is the reason many made their way downtown.

"It brings back old memories for me," local resident Andre Wilson said while listening to the band California Dreamin' perform Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride." "I'm proud to be an American and respect all those that came before me and allowed me to have these freedoms. It's an important holiday and this is such a great way to celebrate it."

Nick Krein, 19, of Modesto, Calif., studied the crowd during Class Act's set. It was his first Fourth of July in Las Vegas and he wasn't sure what to expect.

"I like the atmosphere here," Krein said. "People are laid back and seem to be having a good time."

Locals Brian Jackson and Kim Chambers brought their children to the Fremont Street Experience to see Grass Roots and the area in front of the stage was packed by the time the band performed at 9 p.m.

"I grew up listening to them with my dad so I wanted us to come out and see them," Jackson said. "The Fourth of July is a good time to get together with friends and family."

Before the band took the stage, a speaker reminded the audience not to forget those who served in the military, making special note of Vietnam veterans.

"While we were talking about things like Woodstock, they were talking about places like Saigon," he said.

The holiday has a special meaning for Edward Soto, 28. He and his friends are stationed at a Naval base in San Diego and decided to travel to Las Vegas for the weekend.

"The Fourth of July always meant something to me," Soto said. "My parents came to this country to find work and I'm doing what I can to pay back what this country did for my family."

Others in the crowd weren't there to celebrate the holiday at all. Bri Eshleman, 21, and Jayme Donohoe, 21, both from Vancouver, Canada, came to Las Vegas because they had time off from work for Canada Day, which was Wednesday.

"We aren't really celebrating the holiday, but I am celebrating winning $35 at Fitzgerald's on my first trip to Las Vegas," Donohoe said.

When asked why she chose downtown instead of the Strip for her first trip the Las Vegas, Ehlesman said a friend of hers was just here and recommended "old Las Vegas."

Despite the lack of pyrotechnics, traditional favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers and beer were easily found downtown. In front of several casinos, white picket fences created mini backyards where people could pretend that they were at a cookout despite the large canopy of lights above them.

From the Las Vegas Sun:

The rockets glared brightly as the music of Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp blared and all eyes stared skyward at Red Rock Resort on Saturday night for Station Casinos’ 4th of July Blast.

Hundreds of people gathered with family and friends and filled the lawn near the resort’s pool for a nine-minute fireworks show choreographed to music paying tribute to America — with Sinatra and Elvis thrown in to recognize the hometown spirit.

Billed as the valley’s largest fireworks show, Red Rock was one of nine Station casinos to simultaneously light up the sky starting at 9:30 p.m.

Along with Red Rock, the choreographed show included Aliante Station, Boulder Station, Fiesta Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Santa Fe Station, Sunset Station and Texas Station.

“It was fabulous. They did a great job,” said Summerlin resident Karen Kovacevich, who was at Red Rock. “I really liked that they added in Elvis and Sinatra.”

It took Grucci’s of New York four days and about 1,500 man hours to set up and choreograph the displays.

At Sunset Station in Henderson, hundreds of spectators gathered in the casino’s amphitheater to watch the fireworks.

Gina Buthman and her daughter, Chelsea, celebrated their first July 4th in Henderson after recently moving from Idaho. “We saw their big sign because we live right up the street,” Gina Buthman said.

Roy Nunes and his fiancee, Deanna Bono, said they watched the fireworks at Sunset to avoid the crowds on the Strip. “This is the easiest one to get to,” Nunes said.

Bono thanked the servicemen and women who are serving in Iraq. “My brother lived in Afghanistan, and my father is in Iraq,” she said. “So we have to wait until they come home, and then we can get married.”

Christine DuBois, husband, Steve, and son, Jaden, celebrated their first Independence Day in Las Vegas at Sunset, too.

“We were looking for a fun picnic, sit-on-a-blanket type atmosphere... and they’re supposed to have the best show in town,” Christine DuBois said.

Flashes of red, white, blue and green fireworks filled the night sky while some children ran around swinging glow-in-the-dark necklaces and others sat quietly in their parents’ laps, eyes wide.

At Red Rock, after the casino’s floodlights were turned off, guests could see other, earlier displays in the distance. It only seemed to heighten the anticipation.

“Being able to see all the fireworks going off all over the valley, it makes it seem like it’s one giant show in a way,” Allaina Marcus of Summerlin said.

For Rick Merchin, dressed in red, white and blue, the day began early with the Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade followed by a barbecue with family and phone calls to friends he served with in the Vietnam War.

And the fireworks display, he said, was “the perfect end to a beautiful day.”

From our buddy, John Katsilometes at the Las Vegas Sun:

Nobly, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Springs Preserve attempted a “Star Spangled Spectacular” last night absent the bombs bursting in air. The results were fine -- musically.

You’re sitting with a winning program when you roll out the live orchestral renditions of such July 4th classics as “Stars and Stripes Forever,” Battle Hymn of the Republic and (as LV Phil Music Director David Itkin remarked beforehand) the finest traditional American work ever written by a Russian, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

A slick addition to the program was a cappella group Mosaic, remarkable vocally and logistically as they manage to make all sorts of special events (including last weekend’s “Ribbon of Life” Golden Rainbow show at the Las Vegas Hilton) in a dogged display of self-promotion. Mosaic’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which shifted to a hip-hop tempo midway, was terrific.

Less so was their unscheduled uncorking of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."

But visually, it was not great. The elements simply wouldn’t allow for an inspired, “green” video component to this show. The contracted crew form AV Vegas, headed up visually by lighting designer Eric Chiu, did what it could to bring a full-sensory experience to the 1,200 assembled, sitting in fake chairs on fake grass.

But it was too light, too late (the sun didn’t fully set until the show was about an hour along), and even a wisp of wind pushed the smoke effects, which were to enhance the multicolored strobes that flashed during the “1812” finale -- out of the amphitheater. Also, somewhat comically, two big screens winging the stage showed generic footage of fireworks shows from ... somewhere else, I guess, even as the entire valley flashed and boomed with genuine shows from Stations Casinos.

But it was worth the effort, if only to promote sustainable energy and the conservation of resources. As Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said, we might see this type of show as the rule for July 4th celebrations over the next generation.

The show did sell out, giving the LV Phil -- priced out of its usual home at Hills Park in Summerlin -- a place to play for the holiday. If not for the Springs Preserve availability, the orchestra would have been silent on July 4 for the first time in more than a decade. And the Springs Preserve was lacking any event for Independence Day, so both sides won in that sense.

And for genuine, blow-’em-up-real good fireworks, the audience got a good look at them on their way out of the parking lot, either in the air from the official shows or from myriad neighborhood parties that spilled into the streets.

As we say, only in America.

Courtesy of the Las Vegas Sun:  (Justin M. Bowen)

Thousands watched a Fourth of July fireworks display Saturday night at Caesars Palace on the Las VegasStrip.

Fireworks displays outshone the neon and glitter of the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday to the delight of those enjoying the holiday weekend on Las Vegas Boulevard.

As the sun set for the night, tourists and locals crowded sidewalks, hoisted children on their shoulders and tilted their heads upward for a glimpse of the Fourth of July spectacle in the sky.

And, holiday or not, this Saturday night was like many on the Strip: busy and festive (but not necessarily patriotic). Many of the sidewalks were cramped with people and the foot traffic was shoulder-to-shoulder.

Dressed in their patriotic gear and blinking American flag pins, David and Louise Trevdnak caught a prime spot on a pedestrian bridge to Caesars Palace to watch the fireworks. The Delaware couple has made celebrating Fourth of July in Las Vegas a tradition for 15 years.

“We worked for the school system so that always worked out but this year we were in Houston and San Francisco so we decided to circle around,” Louise Trevdnak said.

The Trevdnaks said that during the day they ate, gambled and tried to stay out of the heat, even though they said they aren’t bothered by triple-digit heat.

“We lived in Southern Maryland for a long time so we’re used to the Washington, D.C., humidity,” David Trevdnak said. “The Vegas heat is nice because it’s dry and arid.”

For 5-year-old Braden Solter of St. Louis, Las Vegas is where he wanted to spend his vacation and Fourth of July holiday.

“He starts school this August so we wanted one more family trip. We asked him where he wanted to go and he said he wanted to go to Vegas since his grandparents always come here,” said his mom, Amy Solter.

“I wanted to come here because I wanted to play here and check it out. I’ve always wanted to live here,” the 5-year-old Solter said.

Thousands watched a Fourth of July fireworks display Saturday night at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.

The family grabbed a seat on the steps near Serendipity 3 -- a perfect spot for the fireworks display just above Caesars’ Roman Tower.

Sarah Laucius of Philadelphia and Amy Kane of Los Angeles said they had to make a tough decision with their Fourth of July evening plans: Catch the MC Hammer/Vanilla Ice concert or see the fireworks. The fireworks won.

“You have compromises when you’re in a relationship,” Kane joked.

The pair said the fireworks didn’t disappoint.

But fireworks weren’t the only spectacle on the Strip. A large crowd gathered in front of the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood to watch magician Steve Wyrick's "Death Drop" escape stunt. Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, who is co-owner of Club Tattoo, hosted the event to coincide with the opening of the business.

As hundreds filled the sidewalks and streets in front of Planet Hollywood, Bennington, assisted by members of his side-project band Dead by Sunrise, shackled Wyrick and locked him inside one of the band’s equipment boxes.

“Are you guys ready to see something amazing tonight?” Bennington asked the crowed, which roared in response.

Plans called for the box to be hoisted into the air, supported by a few thin ropes and dangled over a bed of 500 flaming spikes 80 feet below. The ropes would then be set on fire, forcing Wyrick to make his escape before the last rope broke.

But in reality, the stunt played out a little differently.

“This has never been done before, so anything can happen,” Wyrick said before climbing into the box.

After Wyrick was locked inside, the crewmembers went to light the ropes, igniting a black netting that was shielding the box from view. Much ado was made about the flaming veil, then emergency personnel responded as the box was whisked from view.

“Apparently something’s gone wrong,” Bennington said. “Steve’s had a bit of an accident.”

A helicopter then arrived, presumably responding to Wyrick’s medical emergency. As it landed on Las Vegas Boulevard between Planet Hollywood and CityCenter, Wyrick suddenly appeared from the helicopter, receiving applause from the crowd.

It wasn’t the 20-foot jump from the burning box over the bed of spikes the crowd had been promised. While some cheered, others were disappointed the stunt hadn’t gone “as planned.”

“It looked believable that he was hurt, but for him to all of a sudden arrive in a helicopter? I’m sorry. I’m disappointed,” said Charleton Lupica of Gulf Shores, Ala.

Laura Torrenzana arrived after the stunt was finished, disappointed she didn’t get to see it first-hand. She has been in Las Vegas for a week with 12 family members from New England.

“I think it feels more patriotic at home in New England, honestly. There’s so much of the Revolutionary War history, it’s just a bigger deal,” said Torrenzana’s step-daughter, Maren Gulbrandsen. “I feel like (Las Vegas) is a constant party whereas in Massachusetts, it’s our one time of year to really celebrate.”

A Vegas vacation isn’t the way the family members usually spend their Fourth of July. They usually “splurge a little” with a New England lobster dinner, watch fireworks and attend a local carnival.

As for the money she was spending, Torrenzana said the lower airfares and hotel prices helped make for a better vacation.

“But none of us have won at gambling,” Gulbrandsen said. “Maybe tonight’s the lucky night.”

Gulbrandsen wasn’t the only one who said the holiday rings a little hollow in Las Vegas. Will Hartman of Salt Lake City compared his holiday in Las Vegas to how he spent it last year – overseas.

“Last Fourth of July I actually spent in London, and it’s a nothing holiday for them -- completely off the radar. But I had at least two or three Brits come to me and say, ‘Happy Independence Day, mate,’ ” he said, impersonating an English accent.

“I think the Founding Fathers would think of this,” he said, gesturing down Las Vegas Boulevard, “As the antithesis of what they had in mind (for Independence Day).”

For others, the day couldn’t have been more perfect.

Newly engaged Tim Willingham and Catherine Peck, of South Carolina, were delighted with their holiday together.

“I’ve never been to Vegas. He’d been to Vegas,” she said, motioning at her fiancé with the diamond on her finger glittering as the fireworks boomed over Caesars Palace. “I’ve heard all my life about it and so far, it’s outstanding. Overwhelming.”

It’s way better than Reno, she said. It’s even up there with Monte Carlo in Monaco, where she’d been on a previous vacation, she said.

“If you’ve ever been to Disney, with the fireworks and the pageantry, it’s true what they say – Las Vegas is an adult’s Disneyworld. That’s true,” Peck said.

Earlier in the day, while fireworks were on the minds of many, a more pressing matter was keeping cool in heat that hit the triple digits.

At the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, tourists lined up early in the day to have a photo snapped with the iconic landmark. Every parking spot in a newly built parking lot was taken.

After walking the Strip all morning, the Hillborn family from Ontario, Canada, made a final stop at the sign before heading back to their hotel pool to escape the heat.

Not only did the weekend mark their first trip to Las Vegas, it also was the family’s first Fourth of July in the United States.

“We’ve never been so we came to check out the casinos, all the attractions and the fireworks, and of course, this weather,” Mike Hillborn said.

While some might avoid the Vegas heat during the summer months, Hillborn said the family came with two children to experience heat they don’t feel at home.

“We don’t get anything like this up there,” Hillborn said of the Ontario weather.

Canadians celebrated their independence with Canada Day on Wednesday but Hillborn said the day is much more subdued compared to what they’ve heard of America’s Independence Day celebrations.

“I’m sure it’s going to be way bigger than Canada Day,” Hillborn said. “You guys (Americans) are very patriotic, that’s for sure.”

For the Wiesner family from Ashland, Mo., Las Vegas was a pit stop on a cross-country road trip. They had driven from Missouri to California earlier in the week for a wedding and rolled into town for the holiday weekend.

The family, staying at Circus Circus, planned to watch some fireworks – then hit the road and return to the Midwest. How was the family keeping cool?

“It’s not that big a difference from Missouri, so I’m used to it,” Rick Wiesner said. “They’re not,” he said, pointing to his two children and his sister-in-law, “but I am.”

Generally on the Fourth the family spends about $500 on fireworks to set off at home – “big mortars,” Rick Weisner said – so they were looking forward to what Las Vegas had to offer.

Patricia and Jorge Ruiz, of Fullerton, Calif., were spending their first Fourth of July in Las Vegas with their children, Jorge III, 6, and Brianna, 4. In previous years they’d gone to Laughlin, but opted for Mandalay Bay this year.

The family wore matching red shirts with an American flag splashed across the chest.

“It’s not hard to stay cool with the air conditioning and the pools,” Jorge Ruiz said. “And there’s plenty of time at night to gamble.”