Check out what Helldorado Days looked like in the 1960s and ’70s — PHOTOS
A young girl watches the parade for Helldorado Days in Las Vegas on May 24, 1964. (Wolf Wergin/Las Vegas News Bureau)
A pageant is shown at Helldorado Days in 1963. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption: "Whoa." 1963 at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas. (Wolf Wergin/Las Vegas News Bureau)
A young girl watches the parade for Helldorado Days in Las Vegas on May 24, 1964. (Wolf Wergin/Las Vegas News Bureau)
Original caption, May 24, 2016: "The smoothness and precision of which the parade progressed through downtown Las Vegas Sunday is exemplified in the marching feet of the Mojave, Calif., High School Band." (Wolf Wergin/Las Vegas News Bureau)
A float is presented during the Helldorado Days parade in downtown Las Vegas on May 23, 1964. (Terry Todd/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A band plays at Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1968. (Review-Journal file)
A woman goes to the "hoosegow" during Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1968. (Review-Journal file)
A boy rides through the Helldorado Days parade in Las Vegas in 1968. (Review-Journal file)
A map shows the route of the Helldorado Days parade in downtown Las Vegas on May 25, 1974. (Review-Journal file)
A sleepy dog is seen at the Helldorado Days parade in 1974. (Review-Journal file)
An unknown man presents the festivities for Helldorado Days in 1974. (Review-Journal file)
Unidentified people are seen at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1974. (Review-Journal file)
The Frontier backdrops the Helldorado Days parade in Las Vegas in 1981. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, 1983: "Tom Wyatt helps his son Chris try on has in an area of Helldorado Days." (Scott Henry/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A young girl, identified as 19-month-old DeKisha Staten, watches the Helldorado Days parade in 1977. (Tom Jones IV/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A Silver Dollar machine is smashed as part of Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1982. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, 1981: "John McMillin (right) reacts after winning the trophy for whitest beard. Runner-up Nick Contrell (left), offers congratulations." Helldorado Days in Las Vegas. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, 1981: "Scott Svinning of Las Vegas works on a pyramid of beer cups under the tent at Helldorado. Svinning said he and some friends were going to drink enough beer to top it off before the Whiskerino contest."
The Winston-sponsored rodeo events take off at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1981. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, 1982: "Grand entry prior to the start of the rodeo in the convention center (in Las Vegas)."
The Wild West show goes on for Helldorado Days at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas in 1982. (Lee Zaichick/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Original caption, 1976: "Showgirls dressed as cowboys on hand to meet the Amtrack train in celebrations kicking off Helldorado." (Scott Henry/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A clown shows off a bee that landed on his nose at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1975. (Review-Journal file)
Miss Nevada Universe Madonna Allison waves to the crowd during a parade at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1975. (Review-Journal file)
A horse-rider participates in Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1975. (Review-Journal file)
A band plays in the parade for Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1975. (Review-Journal file)
A boy looks on at the parade for Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1975. (Review-Journal file)
Showgirls join festivities for Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1976. (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, 1990: "Dan Courmier grabs the steer by his horns in steer wrestling." (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, date unknown: "Dressed in Western clothing, 1st and 2nd graders from Helen Marie Smith Elem. School prepare to square dance." (Review-Journal file)
Original caption, date unknown: "Kevin Rich (left) and Leon Coffee apply make-up in mirrors." (Ralph Fountain Photo)
Dancers celebrate Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1953. (Review-Journal file)
A clown tempts a bull in Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1963. (Review-Journal file)
Helldorado Days in downtown Las Vegas in 1963. (DeVere Helfrich/Rodeo Information Commission)
Helldorado Days in downtown LAs Vegas in 1963. (Glenn A. Davis Photo)
Original caption from 1953: "Members of Elks lodge were in Los Angeles last week where they appeared on a six-hour television program which features the big show which will open in Las Vegas on May 14. Shown in the photo above, kneeling, are Al Proctor, James H. Down, Jr., Carl Reed, Dick Stanley and E.J. Gilbreath. Second row: K.O. Knudson, Smiley Washburn and James Cashman. Top row, left to right: Oscar Bryan, Austin Bowler, Francis Brown and Cecil Lynch." (L.A. Todd Photography)
The Pioneer Club in downtown Las Vegas is seen in the background of a Helldorado Days celebration in 1963. (C. Segerblom Photography)
A bull rider is seen at Helldorado Days in Las Vegas in 1963. (Terry Todd/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A child is seen in the Helldorado Days parade in Las Vegas in 1963. (Rene Germanier/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Nugget is seen in downtown Las Vegas during Helldorado Days in 1963. (H.F. Herpolsheimer, Jr./Las Vegas Review-Journal)
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The cowboy and Wild West-themed festival Helldorado Days kicks off with a parade Saturday in downtown Las Vegas, “harkening back to the Valley’s frontier roots.”
The first Helldorado event was in 1934, and the Review-Journal has been around to cover almost every one since. We selected some of our favorite photos from past events to help pump you up for this weekend’s festivities.
Get more information about road closures and event festivities by clicking here.
Check out the gallery above.
Contact Kristen DeSilva at kdesilva@reviewjournal.com or find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva
