Classic Las Vegas History Blog

Neon Boneyard Grand Opening

You can tell it's Preservation Month in Las Vegas (see below for more events news) and what better way to celebrate than with the Grand Opening of the Neon Boneyard!

From the Ward 5 newsletter:

Tomorrow will be a milestone for Ward 5, as we celebrate the grand opening of the new Neon Boneyard Park! Please join me, Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and officials from the Neon Museum for the ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 12. The new park is located at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North, at McWilliams Avenue, adjacent to the Neon Museum.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting for the new park, we also will participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Neon Museum Visitor's Center. The historic La Concha Motel lobby that once graced the Strip next to the Riviera Hotel and Casino will serve as the visitor's center and entrance lobby to the Neon Boneyard. Construction is expected to begin in September and be completed by the spring of 2012.

The $2 million Neon Boneyard Park includes a covered family picnic shelter with benches, a display area for neon signs with a walking trail, a large open storage area for non-displayed neon signs, and parking. Funding for the park was provided by the Bureau of Land Management through the sale of public lands as authorized by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. This act keeps money from Nevada federal land sales in the state for parks and trail projects.

Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 7:01PM by

LasVegasLynn |

1 Comment

Morelli House Open House

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:14PM by

LasVegasLynn |

Helldorado is Coming, Are YOU Ready?

Helldorado is an annual event that has been celebrated in Las Vegas since the late 1930s. These days, it is part of Preservation Month.

Here's the info on this year's celebration:

Bring the family to enjoy the 2011 Helldorado Parade, set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Approximately 110 parade entries are expected to march down Fourth Street in downtown Las Vegas fom Gass Avenue to Ogden Avenue. (See parade map.) Parade entries were accepted through April 25.

Thousands of people line the downtown parade route every year, and the parade also is broadcast live by Cox Communications on cable channel 96 and streamed online at www.Cox96.net . KCLV Channel 2 will re-broadcast the parade in the following days. A fireworks show will be launched from the Fremont Street Experience parking garage immediately after the parade.

The city’s annual Hellorado Days festivities are a tribute to the anniversary of the city of Las Vegas. This year marks the city’s 106th anniversary of the founding of Las Vegas. Participants are encouraged to consider these western roots when planning their parade entries. The entries will be judged on appearance, theme and creativity. The winners will be notified after the parade. For more information call 229-6672 or go online at www.elkshelldorado.com .

Complete Helldorado Schedule of Events
April 9-May 15
Events include:
• Helldorado Trail Ride at Bonnie Springs Ranch April 9;
• Art Show & Auction April 25-May 1 at Las Vegas Elks Lodge;
• Sahara Coins Helldorado Treasure Hunt April 30-May 15;
• Helldorado Shootout Charity Golf Tournament & Banquet at Siena Golf Course May 6-7;
• Ranch Sorting at the Downtown Rodeo Grounds 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11-12;
• “Cowboys for a Cure” Wear Pink Night Helldorado Rodeo at the Downtown Rodeo Grounds 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12; arena pre-show 6 p.m.
• Helldorado Carnival, Exhibits and food vendors at the Downtown Rodeo Grounds May 12-15;
• “The Final Ride” Tribute to Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese, Friday, May 13; arena pre-show 7 p.m., rodeo 8 p.m.
• Whiskerino Contest at the Downtown Rodeo Grounds 6 p.m. Friday, May 13;
• PRCA Pro Rodeo at the Downtown Rodeo Grounds May 13-15;
• Helldorado Parade 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, downtown on Fourth Street between Gass and Ogden avenues;
• Fireworks launched from the Fremont Street Experience parking garage following parade;
• Elks Hall of Fame Night at the Rodeo, 9 p.m., May 14; arena pre-show 8 p.m.
• Tribute to Our Veterans Night at the Rodeo, 7 p.m., May 15.