Thursday, December 30, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

THE STRIP ON NEW YEAR'S: Show's fate twisting in wind

Weather may spoil display of fireworks

From the top of Treasure Island, Phil Grucci of Fireworks by Grucci on Wednesday sets up fireworks for New Year's Eve. Photo by John Gurzinski.

Barring the sudden advent of a magical dome large enough to cover the equivalent of dozens of city blocks, there's a good chance Mother Nature could spoil what would be the world's largest New Year's Eve celebration above the Strip.

Whether that happens is up to the wind and rain, but local tourism and business leaders said Wednesday those in town this Friday night are going to party come hell or high water. All that's undetermined is where those revelers will spend their time and money.

Phil Grucci, whose family-owned Fireworks by Grucci has worked since April to prepare the $600,000 "America's Party" fireworks and laser display above 10 Strip resorts, is among the many who hope weather won't result in Las Vegas' first New Year's Eve without fireworks since 1999 rolled into 2000.

Interviewed atop Treasure Island, Grucci said his team of 70 pyrotechnicians won't have a problem lighting up a rainy night. But if winds exceed 10 miles per hour, all bets are off because of Clark County's strict fire regulations.

The National Weather Service has forecast Friday winds of 17 miles per hour and a 40 percent chance of rain.

"It's a midnight moment," Grucci said, explaining that there would be no delayed show should conditions improve even moments after a weather-related cancellation of the firework's scheduled 11:59 p.m. start. "If it doesn't happen then, we have to (uninstall) everything we've (installed) over the past week.

"We'd much rather fire it ... but we can't control the wind."

But others stand to gain should the Strip's festivities be washed out. Robert Mitchell, manager of the Liquor Outlet store at 4410 W. Craig Road, said he's had several customers who stocked up on their favorite libations in case bad weather keeps them stuck at home come Friday.

"Everyone is getting ready to party, but if it rains I suspect it would give us a little more business," said Mitchell, who added sales around New Year's Eve are typically 20 percent to 25 percent better than an average weekend. So far, beer kegs and champagne are the purchases of choice.

Sam Cecola, general manager of the Club Paradise, said New Year's Eve is traditionally one of the year's busiest periods for Southern Nevada topless clubs, although heavy crowds typically arrive well after midnight.

Local tourism leaders still hope this year's fireworks display will kick off 2005's Las Vegas centennial celebration in grand fashion. If not, they're confident visitors will be entertained.

"Fireworks are just one part of the weekend experience," said Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "With or without fireworks, they're still going to have a good time."

Perhaps the largest drawback should Grucci's show be canceled is the loss of the free media exposure gained when worldwide news outlets cover the city's fireworks display. In 2001, that free exposure was valued at approximately $2.5 million.

"We'd hate to lose those opportunities for people to mention the centennial," Jicinsky said.

The convention authority projects 298,000 visitors will stay in town Friday evening, producing an effective sell-out of the city's nearly 129,000 hotel rooms with occupancy rates expected at 99.4 percent. Those visitors' nongaming economic impact will be $178.9 million, said Kevin Bagger, the convention authority's marketing and research director.

Although those figures are similar to last year's 294,000 visitors, 99.2 percent occupancy rate and $177.9 million nongaming economic impact, Bagger said this year's Friday New Year's Eve, unlike 2003's Wednesday celebration, is likelier to produce longer stays from out-of-town revelers.

Dave Griffin, sales and marketing director for the Renaissance Las Vegas hotel opened earlier this month on Paradise Road, said he has about 420 rooms reserved out of 450 available for New Year's Eve.

"We have seen a little glitch today, a few cancellations because of the weather," he said. "Nobody wants to be standing on the Strip in the rain, the cold."

Room rates at the Renaissance are $319 with a two-night minimum stay and Griffin expects to sell the remaining rooms by Friday.

"There's always going to be short-term demand. People still look at Las Vegas for a New Year's Eve party location," he said.

Weather could also affect how taxicab companies move passengers throughout the valley. Shutting down the Strip for the fireworks celebration makes getting across town a challenge on New Year's Eve. Factor in wet roads, and those trips become even more challenging, Desert Cab operations director Sandy Shaver said.

"There is always more demand for cabs on New Year's Eve and if it rains, it will be a total mess trying to get around town," Shaver said.

Still, the Nevada Taxicab Authority allows operators to exceed above their normal vehicle allotment. Cab companies can operate 10 extra cabs during the day shift and 30 in the evening, Shaver said, adding heavy rains might cause people to stay in one place Friday evening.

Review-Journal writer Hubble Smith and Gaming Wire writer Howard Stutz contributed to this report.