Henderson celebrates heritage

The fastest-growing city in the nation still celebrates its community pride.

The 49th Annual Henderson Heritage Days began Friday with the Heritage Days Beauty Pageant.

The nine-day festival celebrates the city's past and present and future. This year's theme: "Soaring into the Millennium."

Nearly 150 Henderson businesses are participating in this year's festival, Lois Clark, Henderson Chamber of Commerce clerk, said. And thousands of valley residents are expected.

An addition this year is the Mayor and Council Concert in the Park, at 6:30 p.m. today in Discovery Park, 2011 Paseo Verde Parkway. The family concert includes an hour of songs performed by the Sunshine Generation children.

The Denise Holland show will fill the rest of the evening with a repertoire of top 40 hits, country music, golden oldies and classic ballads.

"They do everything from the '50s on up," Carolyn Anderson, city of Henderson special events coordinator, said. "They even take requests."

The concert is expected to last until 9:30 p.m., which should give residents time to rest up for Sunday's Heritage Days Annual Car Show and Chili Cook-Off.

Hosted by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, 20-plus gallons of chili, varying in recipes from chicken to venison to meatless, are expected to stew at Timet Field at Water Street and Lake Mead Drive.

Cups and spoons will be provided for sampling. Tasters then judge the offerings and enter their choice.

"It's very competitive," Clark said, adding that more than 20 people have entered.

The chili cook-off and car show will be 10 a.m.-4p.m. Sunday, but chili tasting will begin around noon. The car show will feature 200 to 300 antique cars.

The Heritage Annual Carnival begins Wednesday and continues through Sunday in Sunset Station's parking lot. Hours for the Inland Empire Show carnival, featuring more than 20 rides, are 3-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

The Heritage Day Talent Contest will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Burkholder Middle School, 355 Van Wagenen St. The contest includes singers, dancers and other performers, ages 3-90.

One highlight of Heritage Days is the parade, which begins at noon Saturday at Ocean Avenue and moves down Water Street toward Victory Road. Featured will be a variety of floats, bands and costumes.

"There are some beautiful outfits," Clark said, adding that the theme will be carried out on most floats.

David Cassidy will be the grand marshal for the second time. Cassidy recently starred in MGM Grand's "EFX" and played Keith Partridge on the '70s television series "The Partridge Family."

Finishing the weeklong gala will be the Mayor and Council Barbecue at 2 p.m. on Water Street between City Hall and the Convention Center. More than 2,000 people are expected, and music will be provided by the local band Lyin' Eyes.

The Rancho Alamitos High School Band from Southern California will perform rock, jazz and band pieces on the stage near the entrance. The band is also marching in the parade, Anderson said.

archive