Las Vegas July 4th, 2009 vacation and weekend events

Fireworks, music, baseball, car racing, pool parties, food, magic, and an array of additional Independence Day events and celebrations are of course scheduled in and around Las Vegas this year. The following outlines many of the scheduled events in the area.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Annual Night of Fire  : At the Bullring racetrack ; Fireworks, car racing, and jet cars. Gates open for the annual event on July 2 (Thursday) at 5 pm , racing commences at 7 pm, and fireworks are slated to begin at 9:30 pm. Admission costs are $15 adults, senior citizens and military with ID is $12, children 6 -12 years is $5. They're offering a family 4-pack (2 adults + 2 children) admission discount special for $38. The concession stand offers a patron - friendly menu with $1 hot dogs, sodas, and beer. Check this link for further info.

North Las Vegas 10th Annual Independence Day Jubilee :  The city of North Las Vegas offers it's annual event on July 2 from 6 - 9:30 pm at  Seastrand Park located at 6330 Camino Eldorado. This year's celebration will tribute our servicemen and will include fireworks, kid's activities, free live entertainment, and food vendors. Gates open at 5 pm. Visit this link for further info. 

Las Vegas 51's Baseball Games and Fireworks : Games and fireworks shows on July 2nd and 3rd at Cashman Field with $14 admission. Visit this link for info. 

Mandalay Bay Beach Events : The All American Rejects perform Friday July 3 beginning at 9:30 pm ($40). On July 4th the Beach venue hosts the Mandalay Beach Fireworks Spectacular starting at 9 pm followed by a beach-side concert with reggae band Mystic Roots ($20). Access this link for details.

Beer Bash On Brooklyn Bridge at New York, New York : Twenty brewers with 40 beers  and live DJ entertainment nightly July 3rd through July 5th. Tickets are $40 in advance / $45 at event for each night's performance or purchase a 3-day pass for $95 plus applicable taxes. $10 fee for bridge access only. Times are 3-11 pm on Friday July 3rd and noon - 11 pm on the 4th and 5th. Visit the Box Office for details.

American Pie 4th of July Weekend at Fremont Street Experience : On July 3 - 5, view Don McClean's American Pie Viva Vision light and sound show plus a special digital fireworks display on the overhead canopy lining the casino fronts. Headline concerts feature Janis Joplin's original band Big Brother and The Holding Company on Friday, July 3rd and The Grass Roots on Saturday July 4th. The kicker for these events is free admission. This is a segment of the summer long "Summer of '69 : Vegas or Bust" celebration being held at FSE downtown. Visit this link for details.

Red, Hot, and You Party at Green Valley Ranch : The Steel Panther raunchy rock band will perform on July 3rd with drink specials and a sexiest women's outfit competition with prizes awarded. 

61st Annual Boulder City Damboree : On July 4th in Boulder City, attend a pancake breakfast at Bicentennial Park at 7 am, a parade beginning at 9 am, multiple activities and events throughout the day, and fireworks at Veteran's Memorial Park starting at 6 pm. Visit the Damboree link for specifics.

Summerlin Council July 4th Patriotic Parade : In Summerlin on July 4th 9 - 11 am. Usually attracts over 25,000 viewers. The parade entourage begins on the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in the Trails Village area in Summerlin. Visit the parade link for details.

Downtown Henderson Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration : On July 4th attend three live music performances, enjoy food and beverage options, children's games and activities, and view a spectacular fireworks display from atop City Hall as the finale event. Activities run from 6 - 9 pm. Access this link for details.

Star Spangled Spectacular at Springs Preserve Amphitheater : The Las Vegas Philharmonic presents a rousing lineup of patriotic music on July 4th under the direction of conductor David Itkin. Doors open at 6 with music commencing at 8 pm. Tickets are priced at $17.50 , $27.50, and $82.50. Contact this link for ticket purchase info.

Lake Las Vegas Entertainment and Fireworks : July 4th, 4 - 10 pm. The JV Allstars perform and there will be food and a 9 pm fireworks display at the Lake Las Vegas Village in Henderson. Contact this link for specifics.

Fourth of July BBQ & Fireworks Show at The Rio : Attend the festivities at the Sapphire pool where they'll offer BBQ , the Girls of Sapphire and a DJ, and a fireworks display to culminate the evening ( 7 - 10 pm). Costs are $50 for BBQ and one drink or $30 for admission only. Check this link or phone the Rio at 866-746-7671.

Rock the Block at El Cortez : See two alternative rock groups perform starting at 7 pm in the Fremont East Entertainment District near the El Cortez casino. Tickets for this outdoor concert are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.. Phone 703-385-5200 for more info.

Station Casinos Nine - Property Fireworks Show : This fireworks extravaganza is supposedly the largest fireworks event in Las Vegas history and is being presented by the Grucci family which is one of the world's premiere fireworks entities. Plans are for fireworks to be set off simultaneously at nine separate Station casinos throughout the valley including Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho (shared location display), Fiesta Henderson, Aliante Station, Santa Fe Station, and Sunset Station. Choreographed patriotic music will accompany the fireworks displays. Several local radio stations will simulcast the valley-wide event. Check this link for more info.

Freedom Fireworks Extravaganza at M Resort : Prior to the 9:15 pm fireworks show, the resort will present an old - fashioned food fair with carnival type food stands including popcorn, cotton candy,snow cones, and other items for sale. The food fair begins at 7 pm and includes free admission. Two resort bars will be open for alcohol purchases. Contact the M Resort site for details.

Pool and BBQ Party at Aliante Station : This party will take place throughout the weekend and features live entertainment, BBQ, and contests and drink specials. The $10 general admission includes food. Phone 877-477-7627 for details.

Steve Wyrick Death Drop Escape : On July 4th at 8 pm near the Hawaiian Tropic Zone southern Las Vegas Boulevard entrance to the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Wyrick will be locked in an equipment box suspended 80 feet above a bed of 500 flaming spikes and the thin ropes supporting the box will be set ablaze. Wyrick must escape the box and rapel down a provided safety rope to avoid a nasty, flaming death in an illusion never before attempted anywhere in the world. Access this link for more info after you finish biting your nails and sweating profusely.

Free cake and cheap, extended buffet at Boulder Station : On July 4th enjoy free cake in the casino and the Feast Buffet will extend their hours from 10pm to 1 am with a $4.44 buffet special. More info is available at this link.

Las Vegas Hilton Fireworks Display : Their fireworks will be displayed shortly after dark on the Fourth.

Multiple Pool and Nightclub July 4th Parties : The Vip In Vegas site has a complete listing of all the available pool and fancy nightclub parties scheduled in Vegas. Access the link for the details.

Visiting Headliner Shows : The following outlines entertainment headliners and their venues during the weekend celebration. Access the venue links for times and ticket info.

- "Arrival" ; the music of ABBA Tour / July 4th/  Cannery 

- Creedence Clearwater Revisited ; classic CCR music without John Fogerty / July 3rd / Las Vegas Hilton

- Bill Maher ; comedy / July 3 -5 / Orleans 

- Jeff Dunham ; comedy / July 3 - 4 / Caesar's Palace 

- Jay and the Americans ; oldies rock / July 3 / Cannery

- Jamie Foxx ; comedy / July 3 - 4 / Hard Rock 

- Jay - z , Clara ; music / July 4 / Palms 

- Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. ; pop music / July 3 - 5 / Suncoast

One further option would be to grab an elevated hotel parking garage roof vantage point where available and take in the entire spectrum of pyrotechnics that will be on display in Vegas over the weekend and particularly on the fourth. Alternatively, here are some locals suggestions for best locations to view Vegas fireworks displays. Enjoy!

Cheers...

Charles Higgins