Friday, July 23, 2004 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Grab Your Grass Skirt

Saturday's Hot Tropical Nights pool party takes on an island theme

Polynesian dancers will perform Saturday during the Hot Tropical Nights pool party. A performer keeps up the heat at last year's Hot Tropical Nights event.

Hot Tropical Nights, the city of Las Vegas' third annual pool party event, takes on an island theme Saturday at the Pavilion Center Pool in Summerlin.

Polynesian dancers and Samoan fire-eaters will entertain from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The public can learn dance moves, listen to a DJ spin Hawaiian and beach songs, play pool games, win prizes and do arts and crafts. Xtreme Dive will provide a bubblemaker for those 8 and older to try out scuba equipment and breathing underwater.

The all-ages party will offer food, including chicken kabobs and Hawaiian ice, for sale. Sponsored by the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services recreation division, the event will provide chairs, tables with umbrellas, lockers, pool toys and inflatable play structures.

There also will be synchronized swimming performances, says Scott Levine, the city of Las Vegas aquatic coordinator.

Last year's event was later in the year and the turnout was smaller than the first year (about 150 people compared to approximately 300), but Levine expects a bigger party this year.

Opened in May 2002, the $3 million Pavilion Center Pool is the largest seasonal public pool in Southern Nevada at 50 meters by 25 meters. It holds 558,000 gallons of water, features three-meter and one-meter diving boards and ranges from 4 1/2 to 13 feet deep.

There's a state-of-the-art bathhouse, locker room facilities and concession area.

No beverages or food can be brought in to the event, but lounge chairs and blankets are allowed, Levine says.

Advance tickets are on sale at the pool for $8 for adults, $5 for youth younger than 14, and $20 for a family of four. Tickets at the door will be $10 for adults, $7 for youth, and $25 for a family of four.

The Pavilion Center Pool is on North Pavilion Center Drive, north of Alta Drive, between Palo Verde High School and Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center.