The Helldorado Parade was revived in 2005 as part of the city’s Centennial Celebration and was met by an enthusiastic crowd of 80,000 people along the downtown parade route. This year the entries include floats, drill teams, classic cars and local high school marching bands including Cimarron-Memorial, Durango, Mojave and Rancho, as well as Beatty High School from Beatty, Nevada. Groups from as far away as California and Tucson, Arizona, will be participating in this year’s parade. The Long Beach Mounted Police Sterling Silver Color Guard will be on hand with 25 members riding Golden Palomino horses. Spectators are invited to watch the parade along Fourth Street between Lewis and Ogden streets for the best viewing. The parade will also be broadcast live on COX Cable channel 96.

The entries will be judged and awards will be given in several categories including best of parade, best use of theme, most creative and best city staff entry. The winners will be recognized at the June 4, 2008, City Council meeting.

Other Helldorado events are planned for the day. This year’s Harley-Davidson Whiskerino contest will take place prior to the parade at 4:45 p.m. on the First Street stage at the Fremont Street Experience. A fireworks show will follow the parade at 9:15 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from the roof of Fremont Square (formerly known as Neonopolis), located at 450 Fremont Street.

Road closures for the parade will begin at 4 p.m. Fourth Street will be closed from Charleston Boulevard to Stewart Avenue. Travelers are urged to use Las Vegas Boulevard or Casino Center as alternate routes. Traffic delays may occur on Charleston Boulevard at Fourth Street as the parade entries cross for the start of the parade. (See map below).

Other Helldorado events planned for this year include an art show and silent auction, the Shootout Charity Golf Tournament and the Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. Information on these upcoming events can be found on the official Helldorado Days Web site at http://www.elkshelldorado.com/ .

For more information on the parade, visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov/helldorado or call (702) 229-6501.