Las Vegas ‘Boo Ga Loo’ Halloween parade proposed

Thursday, April 18, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

If a Reno promoter is allowed to put on a Halloween parade on the Las Vegas Strip, he may have to do it under the glare of the morning sun.

The director of the county's business and licensing department said today that county ordinances permit parades only between 6 and 11 a.m.

New Century Entertainment Group says it is studying the feasibility of putting on a parade and event called "Boo Ga Loo Las Vegas" on the Saturday night before Halloween. It has not submitted proposals yet, though it hopes to start the event this year or next.

"I am aware of that ordinance, and that is one of the issues we are working on before we make an official proposal," New Century Vice President Michael Hyams said. "It wouldn't be fun holding a Halloween event in the morning. Our intent is to hold 'Boo Ga Loo Las Vegas' between 5 and 7 p.m."

Ardel Jorgensen, director of county business and licensing, said that may not be so easy to do.

"Even if the (County) Commission wanted to give a waiver to allow for a night parade, it cannot because the code does not provide for waivers," she said. "The ordinance would have to be changed to allow a parade at night."

Unless such an ordinance proposal were "fast tracked" through the system, it could take several months to change the code, Jorgensen said.

That would be fine with Hyams, who says his company has for the last two years been associated with the the Strip New Year's Eve fireworks show.

"Our intent was to go this year to help stimulate economic recovery, but if we have to wait until 2003, we are committed to the future of this event," he said. "Right now we are just getting our ducks in a row."

Jorgensen said there is a difference between what New Century plans to do -- close the Strip for a parade -- and what happens on New Year's Eve. The Strip is usually closed on Dec. 31 by police because the crowds get too large.

"It is not a planned and promoted event like this is -- that's the difference," she said.

Jorgensen said New Century, which is not currently licensed by the county, would have to address a number of issues, including obtaining permits, finding alternative parking and meeting concerns of the Clark County Health District and the county's Public Works department.

Additional security would have to be provided by off-duty Metro Police.

"Ordinarily, putting on a parade on many streets would not be a problem, but there are a number of concerns involving the Strip," Jorgensen said.

"In addition to parking and egress, there is the potential destruction of foliage along the median that would have to be replaced. The fees are high because of that. Also, all of the hotels in the area would have to give their OK."

Hyams said his company, which has hosted haunted houses in the Reno-Sparks area and has long been involved with the $5 billion Halloween industry, has been planning the Strip event for four months.

During that time, he said, he has meet with the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Highway Patrol, Metro Police, Clark County Public Works, city and county fire departments and local casinos.

"We are not asking the casinos for financial support, nor are we seeking any financial help from the county," Hyams said, noting the event could be televised. "Boo Ga Loo Las Vegas would get over early enough so the participants could go into the area resorts."