On May 15 2005 Las Vegas will celebrate its 100^th birthday, but in typical Las Vegas style there won’t just be one day to party – instead celebrations will span the entire length of the year with events ranging from extravagant parties, historical revivals to airshows. Celebrations will pay tribute to the exciting people, places and events that have shaped the city’s history since a railroad company cleared 110 acres of desert in 1905 and auctioned off the land on which the City of Las Vegas was officially founded.

Visitors can expect to be entertained year-round, but some of the bigger highlights on the calendar include:

April               

Launch of Las Vegas Centennial Records

EMI Music Marketing is launching an official commemorative record label to recognise some of Las Vegas’ showroom headliners. Las Vegas Centennial Records will produce a series of CDs featuring top performances from the city’s infamous nightspots, including the CD debut of classic concert albums such as ‘Frank Sinatra: Live From the Golden Nugget’, ‘Dean Martin: Live From the Sands’ and ‘Bobby Darin: Live at The Flamingo’.

7 May                                     

Centennial Fly-By Air Show

More than 100 vintage aircraft will fly over the Las Vegas Strip to commemorate the centenary. The air show will begin at 11am at the North Las Vegas Airport.

15 May           

The Birthday

The centenary of the official foundation of Las Vegas will be bigger and brighter than the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Starting with a re-creation of the land auction that started Las Vegas, celebrations will continue into the wee hours and will include the cutting of the World’s Biggest Birthday Cake.

The World’s Biggest Birthday Cake

The cake is registered with the Guinness Book of Records to break the current record and will weigh-in at more than 58,500 kilograms. Cake cutting will begin at dusk and will take place under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience.

9 June                                               

Once Upon 100 Weddings

Only in Las Vegas can you marry 100 couples under one canopy! Ninety-nine altar-bound couples will be flown to Las Vegas for a four-day wedding celebration including group bachelor and bachelorette parties and one big wedding under the 28.5 metre high canopy at Fremont Street Experience. The 100^th couple will be Las Vegas locals who will be treated to a special wedding ceremony before joining the other 99 couples in the mall. One of the bride and grooms to be will be an Australian couple. Competition details will be released shortly.  

2 July                                     

Centennial Birthday Bash – Las Vegas Style, Baby!

Clear Channel Entertainment has promised Las Vegas the biggest ever birthday bash on the weekend of July 4^th - expect to see big-name performers at larger-than-life venues.

10 – 12 November

Aviation Nation Air Show

Nellis Air Force Base and the Department of Defense will host the annual air show in conjunction with the air show production company, World of Wings. Aviation Nation is one of America’s premiere air shows and is expected to attract 500,000 visitors.

For up to date information on the Las Vegas centenary visit: www.lasvegas2005.org