Las Vegas remains adult-oriented town during holiday

Rebecca Malone

Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 | 9:51 a.m.

First night First Night International officials say they welcome inquiries from citizens in all cities on how to establish family-style New Year's Eve celebrations. The organization, based in Boston, can be reached at 617-357-0065. Information is also available on the Internet at www.firstnightintl.org.

On New Year's Eve, adults may flock to any of dozens of events organized for them on the Strip, off the Strip or downtown Las Vegas -- leaving their kids under the watchful eyes of baby sitters.

But what about adults who want a celebration organized around their families and their friends' families?

Of course, they're free to organize something on their own. But in Las Vegas there is no communitywide opportunity to join in on a large-scale evening organized around family values.

Theresa Petrosie, a Las Vegas mother of three children, said the city needs to have more family events, especially on big nights such as New Year's Eve.

"We would definitely like a family event on New Year's Eve," she said. "Las Vegas is too adult oriented. There is more for adults and they should have games and things for kids to do."

An international organization that has affiliated events for families in 180 cities could help fill the void in Las Vegas.

First Night International was founded in Boston, in 1976. Facing the same dilemma as Las Vegas -- nowhere to celebrate with the kids -- a group of private citizens formed the group, and it has spread throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.

First Night celebrations feature educational and cultural events as opposed to the traditional festivities involving alcohol and fireworks. They are often held in public buildings -- high school auditoriums, courthouses -- or private buildings such as hotels or churches. Activities may include puppet shows, crafts, folk music, storytelling, and preschool fun such as building blocks.

First Night is a registered trademark that requires participating cities to follow certain guidelines to ensure the name is used along with the right standards, Zeren Earls, president of First Night International, said from her Boston office.

The event must be nonalcoholic, have no alcohol sponsors, focus on the arts, and be affordable and accessible to the community, Earls said.

"I think First Night would be great for Las Vegas," Earls said. "The world's perception of Las Vegas is very limited. They think no families live there."

Although the perception that no families live here is wrong, the other common perception that Las Vegas caters only to adults may be correct, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, whose job is to promote Las Vegas around the world.

"Our mission is to fill hotel rooms, and we concentrate our efforts on adults," Erika Brandvik, public relations administrator with the convention authority, said. "If you want to come gamble, why would you bring your kids? It's just sad."

The convention authority will put on a Strip fireworks show for New Year's Eve, but Brandvik said it is not a place for children.

"Fireworks may be something families want to brave, but I certainly would not want to take my kids out on the Strip," Brandvik said. "It isn't really a family-friendly situation. Our whole New Year's Eve fireworks show is for adults."

The convention authority has never had the goal of attracting or producing events for families. That is something for county or city officials, Brandvik said.

John Huff, a Las Vegan who works at a Strip hotel, said he agrees that Las Vegas should be geared toward adults. It's good for the economy, he said, particularly after Sept. 11.

"This place needs to be a high-roller city," Huff said. "Families will spend the least amount of money for the maximum amount of enjoyment. The casinos need people who can spend large amounts of money."

Huff's wife, Holly, agrees that it's the adult tourists that keep her husband working, but she also said there should be something for the locals.

"You have to think about the people who live here," Holly Huff said. "We shouldn't always have to cater to those who live out of town."

In the absence of a communitywide program for children, Holly Huff will be taking her son to her friend's house for New Years. She said she would prefer a community event.

Some private companies are offering activities.

Petrosie, for example, planned for her kids to be at GameWorks today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. GameWorks, a Strip business that features a variety of interactive games, teamed with radio station KFMS 101.9 FM to provide the three-hour event of games and a lunch buffet.

"But I think it would be great idea for them to have activities for kids at night," Petrosie said. "The games would keep the kids up for the New Year."

A few local 24-hour child care facilities will be open on New Year's for parents to drop their kids off while they celebrate.

For $55 to $65, for example, parents can take their children to the Lit'l Scholar Academy Annual Pajama Jam that will be from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The kids will play games, eat, watch movies, do arts and crafts, dance and count down the new year.

Although there is an afternoon celebration and places that will baby-sit children, Las Vegas is still missing an event the whole family can enjoy on New Year's Eve.

Earls said First Night International has had inquiries from Las Vegas residents, but nothing else has been done from there. The community has to get the mayor and municipal government involved if they truly want a First Night event in Las Vegas, Earls said.

"We are good for guidance, but we can't come in and do it for you," Earls said. "It is not a one-person job, everyone needs to work on it and in the end it just comes together like magic."

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