It’s a good reason to party – the gambling capital of the world reaching one hundred years. Events and special functions are planned for the entire year but next Sunday, May 15, marks the day 100 years ago of the Las Vegas land auction.

From a watering place on the old Spanish trail overland to California, to a Mormon fort settlement abandoned after two years, to a ranch that was mostly sold off in 1902 to the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City Railroad of Senator William Clark, to the May 15, 1905 land auction that was the beginning of the city of Las Vegas. In 1931 gambling was made legal in Nevada and the Northern Club was the first casino to open. Wynn Las Vegas is the latest addition to the city’s legendary skyline that draws people from all over the world in ever increasing numbers.

On Saturday morning Boyd Gaming Corporation sponsored an Air Parade of around 20 vintage aircraft and WWII warbirds to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the first passenger flight to Las Vegas. On May 7, 1920 Randall Henderson, a WW1 pilot and barnstormer, flew into the town in a WWI wood and canvas surplus Curtis Jenny JN-4H from Blythe, California and made history.

From Thursday to Sunday the bright lights of Downtown will have Helldorado Days at the Freemont Street Experience, as part of the entertainment schedule for Centennial Celebration Week. Helldorado Days was a Las Vegas event that ran every year between 1934 and 1997 and Freemont Street has all sorts of entertainment lined up for this centennial year. On Saturday 14th the Helldorado Parade will take about four hours to pass along Fourth Street between Gass Avenue and Ogden Avenue.

Sunday 15th will celebrate with a Guiness Book of Records birthday cake weighing over 130,720lbs at Cashman Field, the 30,000 sections being assembled between midnight and noon for a cutting ceremony at 5.15pm. At 10pm there will be the Centennial Fireworks Show.

Las Vegas was actually incorporated in 1911 with 800 inhabitants and now, together with Clark County, adds around 7,000 new residents monthly. In 2005 the city expects 37 million visitors and the vast majority will try their hand at the wheels, cards, dice or machines before they leave. Last year the Las Vegas Strip had gross gaming revenues of over $5 billion, making it the top casino market in the United States. This centennial year should see Las Vegas being the gaming destination of choice. (E-05.09.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



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