Free Stuff in Las Vegas Baby

When the lights go down in Las Vegas tonight in observance of Earth Hour we want to make sure that you’re prepared. Just because you’re raising social consciousness about global climate change doesn’t mean you can’t party at the same time.

We’ll get the party started at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign when county commissioners flip the switch. Shortly after, the lights will go dark for the 7th time in Las Vegas history .

Cocktail Crawl:

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino brings you the Ecotini, to be served exclusively at AGO, Pink Taco, Center Bar and the Poker Lounge. For $8 you’ll get an “Earth inspired” concoction made of Bacardi Light Rum, Midori and Pineapple juice.

The Las Vegas Hilton is serving the “Greentini” at all bars and lounges. We couldn’t find out makes it Green but we hope it’s not another one of those Shamrock Shake/green food-coloring deals.

Cancun Resort is hosting an “Eco-tini” mixer on the observation deck.

Chef Rick Moonen will dish out complimentary IS Vodka cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Up Lounge at RM Seafood

Whole Food Market at Town Square has complimentary wine tasting complete with a special presentation by a guest from the Las Vegas Natural History Museum who will share information about the constellations.

Dine in the Dark:

AGO at the Hard Rock declares “AGO After Dark” with a three-course candlelight dinner for $42 per person.

Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York has added a Sustainable Earth Hour Prix Fixe Menu available from 6-10 pm. The three-course meal costs $29.95 plus tax per person.

Café by Wolfgang Puck at Springs Preserve will provide live music and refreshments during their viewing party.

Whole Foods Market at The District at Green Valley Ranch will hold a viewing party in their parking lot with tapas served from 8:30 pm-9:30 pm.

Party in the Dark:

The Fremont Street Experience has prepared a special countdown on Viva Vision. Get their early to get your free glow necklace and be part of the spectacle.

Acoustic band Alternative Energy will entertain the crowd on the Brooklyn Bridge in front of New York-New York. Thy will perform two sets (8:30 pm and 10:15 pm). Admission is free.

Krave Nightclub is throwing a Flashlight Underwear Party. Exchange your clothes for a flashlight at the door starting at 11 pm. DJ Morningstar provides the tunes. Free admission for locals and $20 for all others.

VooDoo Lounge atop the Rio is offering free admission for party goers who arrive before 9 pm. Chris Roxstar provides tunes in the lounge while Jeff G parties on the patio. Patio doors open at 5 pm and the music starts at 10 pm. $20 cover after 9 pm.

Wear your little black dress to McFadden’s and get free admission to the Blackout Party. Open bar from 10 pm-midnight costs $10 for ladies and $20 for gents.

Accompanied by the obligatory showgirls, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman joined other city officials at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign today to promote the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour campaign.

Businesses and individuals nationwide are being asked to turn of the lights for one hour on March 28 starting at 8:30 pm.

Assuming that Strip casinos sign off on the deal – not at all a done deal at this point – it will mark the 7^th time in history that the Strip has gone dark. It most recently happened on June 11, 2004 when the city’s lights were dimmed for three minutes immediately following the funeral of President Ronald Reagan.

The first time the Strip cut off the lights was in 1963 after President Kennedy’s assassination. Similar tributes occurred following the deaths of noted entertainers Dean Martin (1987), Sammy Davis, Jr. (1990), George Burns (1996) and ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra (1998).

The Las Vegas Marathon is in its fourth year and live most everything in the city, it has evolved into a spectacle that looks and acts like no other event of its kind.

In addition to the 26.2-mile run, this year’s get together included an all-you-can eat pasta and Elvis karaoke contest, a pre-race where all the participants worse Santa suits, a couple hundred running Elvi and even a run-through Wedding Chapel where couples were invited to get married literally on the run.

Saturday’s Great Las Vegas Santa Run on Fremont Street was an attempt to break the world record for the most Santas running in a single event. The effort was led by Vegas legends Siegfried & Roy, who once again served as honorary team captains.  Last year’s run saw 7,269 Santas rise to the occasion.

Today’s main event includes a contingent who will attempt to break their own record of 207 marathon-running Elvis impersonators set during last year’s marathon.

It all got started when the gun went off early this morning to fireworks and Elvis’ Viva Las Vegas. All registered couples were invited to participate in a run-through wedding ceremony at A Special Memory Wedding Chapel on S. 4th Street led by Jamie Firzlaff, “The Running Reverend”.