Monday, March 22, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

ONLINE GUY: Party already started for Las Vegas Centennial

Las Vegas is getting ready to throw the party of the century, and everyone is invited to share the fun -- and their stories.

While celebrations for the 100th birthday of Las Vegas will take place at hundreds of locations across the valley, it's all beginning on the Internet at the official Centennial Web site (www.lasvegas2005.org). The site is the place to learn how to participate -- whether it's applying for a grant to sponsor a Centennial event; buying a commemorative license plate; or learning some history.

"I really feel that the Web site will be the gateway to the Centennial," said Stacy Allsbrook, Las Vegas Centennial Celebration executive director. "The Las Vegas stories and the grant process will solicit the grass-roots celebration that we want. It will instill a type of community pride that is unlike anything Las Vegas has had before."

The official anniversary of the founding of the Las Vegas Townsite is May 15, 2005, but the time to get involved is now. Any Las Vegas area nonprofit community organization, school or government organization can apply for a grant to help offset the cost of hosting a Centennial-related event.

The events will run through 2005 and will be categorized by size, with Signature Events being the largest. These include a Centennial Time Capsule, 100 murals, 100 weddings, an air show at Nellis Air Force Base and many other historical and cultural events.

Beside Signature, other events are categorized as "Silver" and "Copper." Silver events are designed to attract at least 5,000 people and are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in grant money. Copper events are the smaller community events hosted by local organizations or schools and can get between $500 and $1,000 in grants.

Two areas of the Web site that will continually evolve are the "Tell Your Best Vegas Story" and "Family History" pages. The site has details on submitting stories and ways to get involved with the Centennial celebration.

The site will also host the "Special Events Calendar," which will include details on all Centennial events.

There is also an area on the site where you can brush up on your Las Vegas history. The "Las Vegas History" area traces the time line from the early Native Americans and Old Spanish Trail explorers to its present-day status as the entertainment capital of the world.

The Web site is designed by reviewjournal.com and is hosted by Stephens Media Interactive, a division of Stephens Media Group, which owns the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Other sponsors and Centennial celebration partners are Insignia Films, Clear Channel, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the city of Las Vegas and Clark County.

Let the party begin!

Share your Internet story with me at: agibes@reviewjournal.com and be sure to visit The Online Guy Web site at: (www.reviewjournal.com/columnists/onlineguy)