Once popular Helldorado struggling for respect

Friday, June 12, 1998 | 11:15 a.m.

Those who are critical of the decision to move Helldorado Days to August and the event's organizers agree on at least one thing: They wish it could have been held during its traditional time of year -- now.

For 63 years, Helldorado has been held in Las Vegas in May or early June. But the lack of an available arena meant the event had to be moved to Aug. 5-8 with no traditional carnival. The parade also is doubtful.

Last year, for the first time since the mid-1930s, the parade and carnival were canceled, but the rodeo and country-western concerts went on.

Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority pumped $125,000 into Helldorado, a move that saved the event that has long been sponsored by the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge No. 1468.

But the only dates open for the Thomas & Mack Center, site of this year's rodeo which features a $1 million bullriding challenge, were in early August. That has failed to please some Helldorado purists.

"I would rather it not be held than moved ahead two months," longtime local businessman "Buffalo Jim" Barrier said. "You wouldn't move Christmas from Dec. 25 to Feb. 25 because of the lack of availability of a place to hold it. That's how big Helldorado once was in Las Vegas."

In response to the cancellation of last year's parade, Barrier held "Buffalo Jim's Helldorado Party" outside his Allstate Auto Marine and Electric shop, 2478 Industrial Road. About 1,000 people attended the free day-long block party.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday the 30-year Las Vegas resident plans to hold "Buffalo Days II" at his shop. Barrier said he changed the name of his event -- a scaled-down version of last year's party -- to avoid legal problems with Helldorado. Admission again is free.

"I'm not doing this as a protest against Helldorado and I'm not mad at anyone," Barrier, noted for his burly beard and long hair that inspired his nickname, said. "I just want to help keep the spirit of Helldorado alive."

Rick Kaufman, a lifetime Las Vegas resident and owner of Gem Entertainment, the Las Vegas-based professional management company the Elks hired to run this year's Helldorado, couldn't agree more with keeping the spirit of Helldorado strong.

"I'm one of those people who want to see it return to May or June," he said. "This year's event is a rebirth of Helldorado -- a progression into a new era."

Kaufman said plans are to try to find an appropriate venue for Helldorado to return to its springtime roots next year.

For now, he is more concerned about making the upcoming summer event a success that will help the Elks raise a lot of money for various local charities -- something they have had trouble doing the past few years.

This year's event will feature a professional rodeo, concerts, a western village, petting zoo and the Whiskerino beard-growing contest.

"We are striving to make this a premier rodeo event," said Kaufman, who has an international television deal set and a domestic television deal in the works. "I would like to see Helldorado again have a parade, but if something doesn't happen real soon, there just won't be one this year."

To that end, organizers have put together the million-dollar bullriding event they hope will bolster spectator turnout for the rodeo.

Sixty professional cowboys -- 15 per night -- will ride one of five qualifying bulls for a chance on the last night to ride the million-dollar bull for 12 seconds and win the largest rodeo prize ever.

In Helldorado's heyday during the 1950s, the rodeo was conducted at Cashman Field. It grew into one of the most popular and successful competitions in the nation.