Monday, July 5, 2010 | 1:16 a.m.
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Map of Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Red, white and blue stars burst above Red Rock Resort, John Mellencamp's "Small Town" rang from the speakers and the crowd greeted this year's Fourth of July Blast with enthusiastic cheers Sunday night.
Spectators congregated in the resort’s amphitheatre, the pool area and the parking garage roof to observe the fireworks show, which was coordinated with four other Station Casinos properties to celebrate the nation’s birthday. The first firework launched at 9 p.m. and the production lasted about nine minutes.
Radio station 96.3 KKLZ provided the soundtrack as songs shifted from those of Toby Keith and the Black Eyed Peas to “Viva Las Vegas.” Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” capped the night with applause and whistles. Station also hosted fireworks displays at Aliante Station, Fiesta Rancho, Green Valley Ranch and Texas Station.
Lawn chairs and blankets dotted Red Rock’s viewing area. Beach volleyballs bounced through the crowd as hundreds of people gathered to find the right spot. Children were hoisted onto shoulders and cameras were pulled from pockets when the sky lit up.
The fellowship allowed some in the audience to reflect on what the holiday meant to them. Alex Fields, 13, traveled from Idaho to spend the Fourth of July with her mother, Julie Hopkins.
"You get to be with family and friends," she said. The family spent the afternoon exploring the Strip before heading to Red Rock for the show.
Hopkins, who credited the resort’s staff with fostering a family-friendly atmosphere that brought her back this year, said the fireworks recalled Independence Days from her youth.
"It reminds us to be grateful for where we live," she said.
A barrage of green, orange, red and blue spheres consumed the sky. A pair of smiley faces even shone down on the crowd at one point. The show required 17 pyrotechnicians, 700 man-hours and nine miles of wire to prepare.
Mark Paxton brought his 1-year-old son, Otto, for his first fireworks show. He worried at first that all of the stimuli might be a bit much for the boy.
“He loved it,” Mark said with relief as he bounced Otto to the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” while the crowd filed out of the amphitheater.
Earlier in the day, Bonnie and Sandy Feibusch set off some fireworks of their own to start the holiday, and then caught “The Last Airbender” at Red Rock’s Regal Theatres to escape the sun. Sandy flashed a deck of cards that kept the couple busy until the fireworks began. It was their first time enjoying the display at Red Rock.
They readily agreed on their favorite part of the holiday.
“Fireworks,” they said in unison.
Situated at the entrance to Red Rock Canyon and minutes from the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa offers five-star luxury in a modern property, built in 2006.
The casino features features 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 60 table games including blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker, roulette, a 206-seat Race and Sports Book with a 96-foot video wall a 20-table smoke-free poker room open 24 hours a day, a 600-seat bingo hall with separate smoking and non-smoking sections, open 7 days a week with sessions running every other hour from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., a 20-seat keno lounge and a private high-limit room.
A recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award since opening and named one of the world's best new hotels by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Red Rock redefines casino resort architecture by incorporating natural light, a convenient layout and the comforts of a modern lifestyle.
The centerpiece of the property is the three-acre pool complex with 19 cabanas and swim-up gaming. Its location allows for balcony views from several of the property's restaurants and Cherry Nightclub. Aside from Cherry, guests can grab a drink at Onyx or Lucky or listen to live music in Rocks Lounge.
Dining spans the globe at Red Rock with more than 10 restaurants, including the Italian food of Terra Rossa, the Japanese fusion of Hachi, the Mexican spices at Cabo Cantina or a bit of everything at the Feast Buffet.
Unlike some resorts in town, Red Rock has activities for the whole family, such as a 16-screen movie theater and an arcade. The 72-lane bowling center features a VIP area and carpet that glows in the dark for after hours at Cosmic Bowling.
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