Mayor Goodman teaming up with Holly Madison for bikini parade

By Melissa Arseniuk

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 3:55 p.m.

While Mayor Oscar Goodman and former Playboy model Holly Madison are an unlikely pair, their two very different worlds came together today, united by love for Las Vegas.

The politician and the former playboy play thing joined forces to usher in the city's summer swimsuit season this morning at the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

This event coincided with the 50-year anniversary of city's most symbolic landmark.

Goodman used this morning's photo-op to declare "summer in paradise" a month before the season offically starts, while Madison hosted a camera-friendly fashion show of swimwear to welcome warmer weather.

The runway-style retrospective featured stylish bathing suits past and present, from the 1950s to today.

After the fashion show, Madison headed north on Las Vegas Boulevard to Fashion Show Mall -- in an always-fabulous pink Cadillac convertible, no less -- and used her beachworthy assets to make some swimsuit season history.

The shopping center served as a starting point for a bikini-filled parade that was literally one for the record books.

The procession ddin't showcase the usual stream of candy-tossing cars and floats: It featured more than 300 women in swimsuits.

Organizers are hoping the event will set the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Bikini Parade.” (Yes, that is a category.)

While the parade may very well have broken the record for largest bikini parade, it didn’t set any records for being the longest: The total parade route was about a third of a mile from start to finish.

The spectacle began inside Fashion Show Mall at noon before making its way outside near the south end of the mall, then out across Las Vegas Boulevard and nearly a block north along The Strip.

Post-parade parties are currently being held at several resort pools, including Bare at The Mirage, Mandalay Bay Beach, Go Pool at the Flamingo and pools at the Monte Carlo, Luxor and Planet Hollywood.

Post-parade pool party details:

Bare at The Mirage

- All Las Vegas locals receive complimentary entry all day

Mandalay Bay

- First 100 people who are not staying here will get access to the Mandalay Bay Beach.

- $100 discount on a cabana for the first 100 people

- Drink Specials on May 14

- Imperia Vodka Cocktails $5

- Imperia Vodka Bottles $100

- Pacifico Beer $3

- DJ at the beach for at least the first 4 hours the pool is open (and possibly longer)

Monte Carlo

- Pool will be open to the public

- DJ

- Drink specials at the pool from noon to 6 p.m.

Luxor

- Summer Glow special pomegranate package $150

- Pool open to public with valid photo ID, no charge

- DJ and ArchAngel dancers

- Dancers will hand out wristbands that are valid for 25 percent off drinks in Lounges all day

- Pool filled with hundreds of beach balls and fun items

Planet Hollywood

- Party with the participating bikini parade models noon to 6 p.m.

- Pool open to public

- DJ

- Drink specials

Go Pool at Flamingo

- Party with the participating bikini parade models noon to 6 p.m.