New-home Las Vegas communities offer events for residents and the public

Master-planned communities won't manage your social calendar, but they sure can fill it.

With a specialty in planned events, life inside a master-planned community offers no shortage of entertainment, activity and camaraderie. From movie nights to large-scale holiday festivities such as Fourth of July fireworks shows, almost every master-planned community has resident events and activities that are open to the public, and those offerings keep expanding.

"Seasonal celebrations like the egg hunt, Pumpkin Festival, Hometown Holidays, Firecracker 5K and the Friday Nite Live summer concert series are part of what residents get when they buy a home in Summerlin," said Randy Ecklund, executive director of the Summerlin Council. "These events quickly become traditions for Summerlin families and are often the centerpiece of many family memories. In Summerlin, you don't just get the house, you get the community and the lifestyle — that's quite a package."

The events can even turn into quite the circus. Summerlin brings in a big top every year complete with acrobats and clowns for residents to enjoy.

At 7 p.m. Aug. 18, Pleasure Cruise will play at The Trails Park for free as part of the Friday Nite Live summer concert program through Summerlin for its residents and their guests. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music and community.

Staff at the Summerlin Council — the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Association dedicated to the social, educational and recreational enrichment of residents — programs all of the activities, including the annual Fourth of July Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade, which is open to the public and attracted an estimated 40,000 people this year.

But the fun doesn't stop in the summer in Summerlin. A pumpkin festival, holiday event in December, Snow Day in February, an egg hunt at Easter and a strawberry festival in May round out the major events hosted by the community.

Large-scale community events aren't just Summerlin's specialty. Providence boasts Smokin Notes at Knickerbocker Park every spring, which brings music and barbecue to the public and features a beer garden, classic car show and a children's area.

If you're looking for something a little cooler, Providence's annual Ice Cream Sunday features the namesake treat but also a petting zoo, balloon animals, face-panting and games.

Providence also offers intimate affairs with movie nights for residents and a Teddy Bear Tea Party for children.

"(The Providence Master Homeowners Association) hosts approximately 30 events annually for the residents of Providence. We have events specifically for children of all ages, families, adults and everyone in between," said Jenna Bell, lifestyles director of the association. "Our goal is to create opportunities where neighbors can meet each other, and all the residents have an enjoyable lifestyle, no matter what they choose to participate in."

Mountain's Edge joins in the big time fun with a Candlelighter's 5K on Sept. 12, Family Fur & Fun Festival every fall, an Easter egg hunt, gardening demonstrations and movie nights for residents.

Inspirada touts many of the same events — an egg hunt, movie night, Halloween festivities — but also offers Mad Science activities for children during school breaks, cocktail parties and Aloha Hau'oli Splash Day on Aug. 15 featuring the three pools, two splash pads and a water game area.

Whatever you're looking for, you can't blame a shortage of planned events in the Las Vegas-area master planned communities. All year long, big and small, residents can keep busy without having to go far.

For more stories on master-plan living, visit RJREALESTATE.VEGAS and click on the Master Plan Living tab. Also send your photos of community activities to lcollier@reviewjournal.com. Include a description of the photo and we many post it on the site.