Locals, tourists enjoy holiday, LV style

By Emily Richmond

Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001 | 10:05 a.m.

Tourists and locals enjoyed Christmas Day in Las Vegas, taking advantage of holiday sales along the Strip, big-payoff slots and a county marriage license bureau open for business.

Shoppers found lavish window displays, free gift wrapping and, in many stores, steep discounts. Merchants, struggling to bounce back from the so-far sluggish retail season, offered as much as 50 percent off everything from leather jackets to electronic toys and jewelry.

Several shoppers said they were checking out the stores Tuesday and planned to return early today for even bigger bargains.

The Forum Shops at Caesars were bustling even at 9:30 a.m., 30 minutes before most stores opened. Kristin Potter, 15, said the shopping was "much better" at the Forum Shops than at home in Lawrence, Kan. Kristin and her 12-year-old sister, Jessi, were shopping on their own Tuesday, although their parents weren't far away. The Potters used two-way, hand-held radios to stay in touch at opposite ends of the mall.

The Potter girls said they didn't mind when their parents went gambling, even on Christmas Day. There was a family dinner at a relative's home to look forward to later in the day, Jessi said.

"We just wait in the room and watch television or something," Kristin said. "Usually they take turns and one of them stays with us."

Leroy and Dee Baker of Omaha, Neb., chose Circus Circus for their first trip to Las Vegas so that their son, Brandon, would have something to do.

"This is a fun Christmas," 11-year-old Brandon said. "I like the rides and the arcades."

Brandon said he was more interested in the roller coaster at the AdventureDome than the slot machines and didn't mind being barred from the casinos.

"I'd come back here again," he said.

Jocelyn Thompson of Haverhill, Mass., admitted that Las Vegas isn't necessarily geared toward family togetherness, especially when younger children are along.

"The kids have to linger on the outskirts of the casinos," Thompson said. "It's easier to let them go shopping."

There was plenty of family togetherness in the Forum Shops' arcade, where adults watched their children navigate skateboarding simulators and video games. One father, visiting with his family from Korea, gamely tried out a dancing machine that requires participants to jump onto sensor panels as each square lights up. He admitted he was no match for his young daughter.

Jeff Fix and his 13-year-old son, Adam, passed a pair of boxing gloves back and forth as they took turns punching their video opponent.

"Get 'em, Dad, hit him again, right in the head," said a gleeful Adam as he cheered his father on.

Adam's mother, Sue Fix, said she realized an afternoon in the arcade was far from traditional Christmas Day observances. In fact, Fix said, the family chose Las Vegas because it was the opposite of other holidays the family had shared at their Seattle home.

"We lost our daughter earlier this year," Sue Fix said. "We decided it would be too hard to try and have Christmas at home this year."

Ashley Fix, 15, was killed March 16 in a car wreck caused by joy-riding teenagers, her mother said.

"Vegas was my husband's suggestion," Fix said. "He was right. It was a good idea to go away, and this town is a long way from Christmas."

Across town Fremont Street casinos were fairly busy, although the biggest crowds gathered at the Marriage License Bureau in the Clark County Courthouse. By noon the wait at the clerk's counter was more than 30 minutes.

Waiting in line was 17-year-old Jessica Robinson, who was accompanied by her parents. Jessica wasn't the bride -- she was serving as her mother's maid of honor.

"I guess she's the best man, too," said Robbie Robinson, who was remarrying the woman he divorced in 1997. "After the ceremony she'll be our chauffeur. We'll sit the in the back seat and drink champagne."

Jackie Robinson, Jessica's mother, said she was glad she never bothered to change her name. Following the divorce the Robinsons fell back in love, and decided to make it official once again.

"It's a do-over," Jackie Robinson said.

Jessica, who lives with her parents in Santa Margarita, Calif., said she never expected to attend their wedding. She admitted some of her friends thought it was "weird" to spend the holidays in Las Vegas.

"It's a different kind of Christmas, that's for sure," Jessica said.

Another couple came to Las Vegas for a "do-over," 14 years after they parted ways as high school sweethearts. Bob Hivner of San Clemente, Calif., found a wedding package online, and he and fiancee Pamela Quinjano caught a plane.

"It's $179, plus $50 for the minister and $35 for the limo," said Hivner, who was scheduled to wed Quinjano at 9 p.m. "That's a pretty good deal."

The package also includes a carnation bouquet for the bride and commemorative photographs.

"We're getting married at Chapel 13," said Hivner, clutching a printout from the lasvegasweddings.com site.

"Lucky 13," Quinjano said.