Heat, traffic don’t keep tourists from holiday visit

Jace Radke

Tuesday, May 30, 2000 | 10:23 a.m.

As many as a quarter of a million people traveled to Las Vegas over the weekend despite high temperatures and the promise of large crowds roaming the Strip.

Some of the biggest complaints from visitors was the time they had to wait to experience some of Las Vegas' more well-known attractions.

"We had to wait for about an hour to get into the buffet at the Mirage," San Francisco Bay Area native Arlene Trompczynski said as she waited for a cab to the airport in front of the Mirage Monday evening. "It wasn't so crowded on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday it was packed everywhere."

When asked if she would come back Trompczynski and her friend, Leslie Wentland, said they would, but maybe during a different time of year.

"I think I'll come back when it's not a holiday weekend, and when it's not so hot," Wentland said. "I'm used to 75 degrees with ocean breezes, not temperatures over 100 degrees."

Frederick, Md., natives Lucien and Anna Winegar, out walking near the Venetian Monday evening, said they thought the crowds were thinning out.

"It's a little better today," Anna said as her husband videotaped the resorts. "We waited in some long lines at restaurants, but it should be better tonight."

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority projected a record 267,000 people would visit the city, up 7.7 percent. The projected economic impact, not counting money spent gambling, would hit $156.2 million.

Record numbers were expected because of additional hotel room capacity.

At Mirage Resorts Inc.'s three Strip properties -- Bellagio, the Mirage and Treasure Island -- business lived up to expectations.

"It was a very busy, successful weekend," said Alan Feldman, spokesman for Mirage Resorts. "Our restaurants were full, as well as our shows. Overall it was a great weekend at all of our resorts."

Tourists walking Las Vegas Boulevard over the weekend tried to beat the heat by wearing shorts, tank tops, sandals and large sun hats to shade their faces. Others stopped to stick their hands into the Venetian's fountains and rub the cold water on their faces and the backs of their necks.

Some of the visitors likely joined locals at Lake Mead National Recreation Area where over 250,000 people went to cool off over the weekend. Lake Mead spokesman Bert Byers said he expected a big weekend, and that this will probably be the last holiday weekend that entrance fees will not be charged at the recreation area.

Once three entrance stations are completed sometime in June a fee of $3 a person or $5 a vehicle for a five-day pass or $20 for an annual pass will be charged.

The U.S. Forest Service reported a busy weekend at Mount Charleston, with all campgrounds filled.