Fireworks show promoters promise New Year’s bash

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

This year's New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza on the Strip will celebrate light, energy and life, promoters said Wednesday as they unveiled plans for the $500,000-plus rooftop show.

The theme is "a great metaphor for celebrating the New Year and Vegas as America's Party," said Jim Souza, president of Pyro Spectaculars, Inc., of Rialto, Calif.

The eight-minute show, the highlight of Las Vegas' New Year's Eve party on the Strip, will include four distinct acts preceded by a three-minute countdown to the New Year.

"The experience I had last year was that the people out in the crowds don't have a countdown on when New Year's Eve is coming, except for the few checking watches," Souza said outside of the Thomas & Mack Center after blasting off miniature fireworks in a practice countdown with participants at a news conference. "This will be a pre-show, warm-up act to get the crowd warmed up and ready to go."

Titanium silver salutes will begin the warm-up followed by a roll call of blasts from a top each of the 10 participating hotels, progressing from the Excalibur to the Stratosphere. At the one-minute mark, "the sky will just thunder and get everyone's attention."

Pyrotechnic barrages in bright red, orange and yellow will celebrate the lights and sunshine of Las Vegas, Souza said, followed by illustrious "Sousa Comets" and techno music. A special effect called "Jack Pot" will also light up the sky with gold and silver dollar signs. "Sousa Bombardos," "Wheels of Fortune," and "Zig Zag Blue and Green Comets" will then dance in the air, Sousa said.

The show will end with flashing silver lights and a thunder salute to the Silver State.

Up to 300,000 people are expected at this year's celebration, said Tarry Jicinsky, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.