Mardi Gras - Vegas style - comes early

Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"I haven't been to Las Vegas in many years," actress Lauren Bacall told thousands of guests as a giant Mardi Gras-themed float passed overhead. "It's a most extraordinary experience. I've never seen anything like this."

Other celebrities attending included comedian Louie Anderson, actor Adam West and singer Nancy Sinatra, who was honorary queen of the evening.

"We try to be the best and to make sure whatever we do would be something Las Vegas would be proud of," Tony Marnell, chairman of Rio Hotel and Casino Inc., told the crowd. "We want to be a place where the hidden you comes out to play. It looks like this gang wants to play."

While a huge animated peacock and five dancers rocked to music on a stage, the giant floats, some weighing more than eight tons, moved slowly along a 950-foot curving track.

Mardi Gras-costumed characters were aboard the floats, which included a hot air balloon, an ancient frigate powered by three giant swans and the paddlewheeler New Orleans.

Bacall headed a VIP list for the black-tie gala formally opening a new 41-story glass tower and a $25 million entertainment complex featuring the Mardi Gras-themed floats, which pass 13 feet above the casino floor.

The new tower gives the Rio 2,563 suites, making it the 13th largest hotel in the world.

The project is the brainchild of Marnell, whose construction and design company has built many of the world's leading hotel-casinos, including New York-New York, The Mirage, Excalibur, Caesars Palace and Treasure Island.

His company, Marnell Corrao Associates, Inc., is known as the world's largest designer and builder of hotel-casino properties, having built more than 55,000 rooms for the industry.

Known for its food service, carnival atmosphere and entertainment such as Tony Bennett, The Beach Boys and Donna Summer, the Rio is one of the most popular properties in town.

The prestigious Zagat Survey of U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas has ranked the Rio No. 1 in the categories of Best Overall, Best Dining, Best Rooms and Best Service.