Casino Connection Nevada

Summer in the City

Southern Nevada is a hotbed for seasonal fun.

by Caitlin McGarry

When temperatures rise and the soft air of spring gives way to the shimmering heat of summer, Las Vegas locals seek shelter from the blistering sun. No need to hibernate until September, however, because the city offers both sizzling outdoor fun and air-conditioned activities. We have compiled a sampling of events to help you beat the heat and make the most of summer.

May 3—Lei Day Festival

Central Las Vegas—Hawaiian dancing and dishes will be at the center of the 11th Annual Lei Day Festival, hosted by the California Hotel & Casino. Located at 12 E. Ogden Rd., the casino parking lot will be the destination for fans of Polynesian food, music and art. The festival takes place May 3 from 9 a.m. to midnight and May 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature performances from Hawaiian artists Tony Conjugacion, HualHalua’Okaleo oaliani and more. For more information, call 702-614-1884. Admission is free.

May 2 & 3— Pride Parada & Festival

Central Las Vegas—The Southern Nevada Association of Pride Inc. (SNAPI) will wrap up its 25th year of GLBTQ Pride festivities with the annual Pride Parade and Festival. The parade will begin May 2 at 8 p.m., with attendees, vehicles and floats traveling north down 4th Street from West Charleston Boulevard to Ogden Avenue. There will be an after party for those 21 and older immediately following the parade at FreeZone, located at 610 E. Naples Dr. The 2008 Pride Festival will begin at noon on Saturday, May 3, at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for ages five to 17. Children under five will be admitted free of charge. Visit www.lasvegaspride.org for more information.

May 4 — Cinco de Mayo Festival

East Las Vegas—The annual Cinco de Mayo festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Freedom Park, with food vendors, musical performers and activities for children the centerpiece of this year’s celebration. Admission is free for children and $5 for adults. For more information, call 702-649-8553.

May—7-11 San Gennaro Feast

West Las Vegas—The 29th Annual San Gennaro Feast brings authentic Italian food and fun to the Grand Canyon Shopping Center. This five-day festival kicks off May 7 at 4 p.m., with fireworks scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Food vendors will be offering a wide array of Italian specialties, from fried calamari to cannoli, and local talent will be performing nightly. Carnival rides are a draw for children and parents alike—moms can ride the Davis Amusement rides for free on opening day. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors. For more information, call 702-286-4944.

May—9 & 10 Cars, Stars & Guitars

Central Las Vegas—Custom car lovers will gather for the 13th Annual Cars, Stars & Guitars Motorhead Festival at the Fremont East District in Downtown Las Vegas. The festival, which was founded in 1996 by automobile enthusiast Mike Privette, draws hundreds of motorheads and their favorite toys—hot rods, trucks, bikes and boats are a few of the main attractions at this two-day event. Entertainers Paul Casey and the General Lee will wow the crowds both nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. To register for the event or to find out more information, visit www.carsstarsguitars.com. Event registration is $45.

May 10 & 11—Artfest of Henderson

Henderson—Hundreds will take to the streets for southern Nevada’s largest art festival, the 11th Annual ArtFest of Henderson. There will be more than 200 art displays as well as three stages featuring performances from reggae, rock and jazz musicians. The two-day festival opens at 10 a.m. and shuts its doors 5 p.m. in Henderson’s Water District. Admission and parking are free.

May 10 June 7 & 21—Jazz in the Park

Central Las Vegas—Clark County Parks and Recreation will present its 14th annual Jazz in the Park series at the Clark Country Government Center Amphitheater for three nights this summer and one night in April. The summer dates will feature performances from dynamic artists like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, DeeDee Bridgewater and Nick Colionne. Admission is free, and each concert begins at 8 p.m. Seating starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call 702-455-8200.

May 16&17—Taste & Tunes

North Las Vegas—The Taste & Tunes festival will open at 5 p.m on May 16. The sixth annual festival, sponsored by the city of North Las Vegas, will feature food, live entertainment, art, boxing and dancing, as well as the city’s first salsa recipe contest. There will be three contest categories for salsa chefs: hot or mild, sweet and fruity, and overall. Winners will be announced at 8:30 p.m. on May 17. Admission is free, but tickets for the carnival rides are $25 if purchased at the festival. For more information, call Anessa Snowden at 702-633-2563.

May 24—Summer of Fun

North Las Vegas—The Cannery Casino & Hotel will start the summer of 2008 with a retro celebration that will remind you of summer 1968. The Cannery’s Summer of Fun Kick-Off Festival features headlining acts Jay and the Americans, Badfinger, Jr. Walker’s All Star Band, Sal Valentino and The Beau Brummels and local band GoodFellas. Partygoers will dance the night away to classic hits like “This Magic Moment” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” while car lovers show off their hot rods in the early heat of summer. Admission is free but requires a ticket, which can be picked up at the front desk of the Cannery.

Throughout May—Helldorado Days

Central Las Vegas—The Las Vegas Elks Lodge hosts this year’s Helldorado Days in celebration and remembrance of Las Vegas’s Western heritage. The month-long festival features a trail ride in Cottonwood May 3; a charity golf tournament at Angel Park Mountain Golf Course May 7; a parade, fireworks and concert downtown May 17; and a poker tournament at Binion’s Hotel & Gambling Hall May 24 and 25. For pricing, registration and ticket information, visit www.elkshelldorado.com.

June 6-8—Vegas Cruise

Central Las Vegas—The 8th Annual Vegas Cruise will set up shop at the Fremont Street Experience for three days this summer, inviting classic car lovers to show their vintage automobiles and perhaps even win an award. At night, attendees will twist and shout to tunes from the rock ‘n’ roll era. Admission is free. Call 702-678-5600 for more information.

June 21-21—CineVegas

Central Las Vegas—Film fans can catch the latest in underground cinema at the 10th Annual CineVegas Film Festival. The 10-day festival will be held at the Palms Casino Resort, and attendees can purchase special packages in advance. The festival line-up and party schedule will be announced May 9. For more information visit www.cinevegas.com.

June 14—Reggae in the Desert

Central Las Vegas—Island breezes will offer much needed fresh air at the Clark County Amphitheater this summer as this year’s sixth annual Reggae in the Desert performers take the stage. Featured artists include Barrington Levy, Judy Mowatt, Wailing Souls, the Mighty Diamonds, Michael Black and the Jah Guide Band, and DJ Ramma. Caribbean food will complement the reggae sounds. Doors open at 2 p.m., and the concert lasts until 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com for $20, or concertgoers can pay $25 per ticket the day of the show.

June 29—Gourmet Grazer

Downtown Las Vegas—The Alliance of Black Culinarians’ annual Gourmet Grazer is a perfect opportunity for buffet fans to give to a good cause. Chefs from Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Mirage Hotel & Casino, Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming will be supplying some of the best food in town. Attendees can eat all they want for only $30, and the proceeds go directly toward providing scholarships for culinary students who demonstrate financial need. Live music and a fashion show will round out the evening. The Gourmet Grazer will take place at Cashman Field from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a pre-event cocktail hour from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For ticket information, call 702-567-6295.

July 4—Independence Day