Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NEW YEAR'S GALA: $500,000
of pop set
to sizzle
Correction 01/01/03 -- A fireworks technician pictured on the front page of Tuesday's Review-Journal was misidentified. He is Chad Whitlock.
Technicians put fireworks
show in place for big event
By LISA KIM BACH
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Tens of thousands of revelers on the Strip will usher out 2002 under the canopy of one of the largest fireworks displays in the nation.
More than 65,000 effects worth $500,000 will be used during an eight-minute light show launched from 10 Strip resorts and a downtown location. Technicians from Pyro Spectaculars, the California-based company responsible for the fireworks display at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, have been setting up their equipment on casino rooftops since Dec. 20.
On Monday, the effects that will rocket skyward from the Excalibur were wired together and put into place under the watchful eye of public safety personnel and hotel security.
"This is the biggest New Year's Eve show on the West coast," said Ron Smith, Pyro Spectacular's project manager for the event.
The show, which will be free and highly visible to the crowd of 280,000 people expected to gather in the resort corridor, is sponsored by Las Vegas Events in coordination with officials from the city of Las Vegas, Clark County and the resort community. Las Vegas Events is footing the bill for the Strip fireworks. The city of Las Vegas is paying its own way since it's a last minute addition to the roster of sites. That $5,000 burst of light and color will be set off from a 61-acre site off of Bonneville Avenue and Grand Central Parkway.
"The show is divided into four parts," said James Souza, president of Pyro Spectaculars. "We start with a countdown and then there will be shows within shows. The music soundtrack includes Elvis, patriotic songs for a salute to heroes, and Frank Sinatra. The finale will be silver, in honor of Nevada."
Souza said the multiple locations ensure that nearly everyone will have a clear view of the show, which encompasses the Stratosphere, Treasure Island, Circus Circus, Stardust, Venetian, Flamingo, Bally's, Monte Carlo, MGM and Excalibur hotels. Infinity Radio will broadcast the soundtrack to the show on local FM stations KLUC-FM (98.5) KMXB-FM (94.1) and KMZQ-FM (100.5). Souza said that sound trucks will broadcast the show's score on the Strip, and participating resorts have also been asked to play the music over their sound systems.
"The real challenge here was the multiple sites," said Souza, who was the show's designer. "But I think we were able to bring everything together. Las Vegas Events wanted something a little different from what's been done in the past, and I think we were able to pull that off."
Those who brave the crowds can expect to see the Strip closed off by police anytime between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. A spokesman for Las Vegas police said the decision will depend on traffic conditions and the crowds. When the closure is enacted, the area between Interstate 15 and Paradise Road, from Sahara Avenue to Russell Road, will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic. The roads won't reopen again until 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The turn-of-the-year celebration will take place in fairly mild weather, according to the National Weather Service. By the time midnight arrives, the temperature is expected to be in the mid-40s, with winds of about 8 mph, said Charlie Schlott, a spokesman for the agency.
Police presence will be highly visible during the festivities, especially in front of The Venetian, which is the site of a nationally televised music showcase called "Canon Presents America's Party: Live From Las Vegas." The event, which is closed to the public, will take place outside, in front of the resort's pedestrian bridge from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Fox network will air it live on the East Coast and via tape delay here, where it will air from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The featured performers include hip-hop star Ja Rule, R&B artists Ashanti and Dru Hill, Sugar Ray and Sheryl Crow.
Dave Shepard, executive director of security for The Venetian, said that a police officer will be stationed every 10 feet in front of the resort during the performance. Both show security and hotel security will assist with crowd control. An eight-foot fence and additional barricades will separate the concert venue from the crowds.
The goal, Shepard said, will be to keep the crowd moving so that a pedestrian bottleneck doesn't form around the concert area.
