Fremont Street Experience To Host Historic Chinese New Year
Event in Downtown Las Vegas
Inaugural Event to Feature Traditional and Digital Dragon Dance,
Cultural Entertainment and a Karaoke Competition from Jan. 24 – 28
Fremont Street Experience, CHD, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Golden Catalyst are bringing the first-ever Chinese New Year celebration to Downtown Las Vegas. Chinese New Year – Dragon In The Desert will celebrate the Year of the Dragon from Jan. 24 – 28 with a 5-day festival featuring many of the traditional and symbolic elements needed to wish good fortune to all.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman will participate in the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. The new year will be greeted with a live authentic dragon dance performed by the Las Vegas Lohan School of Shaolin complete with virtual firecrackers on Viva Vision; the largest video screen in the world measuring 1,500 feet long and suspended 90 feet above the street, an eye painting ceremony and a parade of performers dressed in elaborate costumes. Additionally, a ribbon cutting to start the opening ceremonies will consist of 888 people for extra luck.
“Fremont Street Experience is excited to help usher in the Chinese New Year for the first time to wish wealth, good health and good fortune to all,” stated Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience. “We invite everyone to celebrate with us.”
Each night, beginning at 6 p.m., the festival will feature a live dragon and lion dance, a Vendor Village with Asian food and arts and crafts, and a virtual dragon dance on Viva Vision. Live entertainment will include cultural presentations on the 3rd Street Stage and a Karaoke competition hosted by Las Vegas Thai Elvis Prasith on the 1st Street Stage where anyone in the crowd can join in for a chance to win prizes. For a detailed entertainment schedule go to www.cnyinthedesert.com. All entertainment is free and open to the public.
“We’re hosting over 2,000 international visitors for the week and to have Fremont Street Experience and LVCVA align with us to celebrate this festive time is wonderful,” said David Huang, President of CHD.
“China is our number one source of international travel from Asia,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Cultural celebrations such as Chinese New Year help showcase the amenities and attractions of Las Vegas as we continue to attract more international visitors.”
“Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the year. Hosting this event in historic downtown at Fremont Street Experience is a wonderful opportunity to bring our two cultures closer together” said Jan-Ie Low of Golden Catalyst.
Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment complex located in historic downtown Las Vegas. Fremont Street Experience features Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen which is 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and suspended 90 feet above the urban pedestrian mall. Viva Vision features nightly spectacular light and sounds shows with 12.5 million LED lights and a 550,000-watt sound system. Fremont Street Experience is a one-of-a-kind venue which includes free nightly concerts and entertainment on two stages. With direct pedestrian access to 10 casinos, more than 60 restaurants and specialty retail kiosks, Fremont Street Experience attracts over 17 million annual visitors. Fremont Street Experience can be found online at www.vegasexperience.com
