Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Despite virus, thousands celebrate New Year’s in Las Vegas

New Year's Eve Downtown

Wade Vandervort

A couple takes a selfie as fireworks explode over the Plaza in downtown Las Vegas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

Updated Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 | 12:45 a.m.

Hello, 2021.

While the party on the Las Vegas Strip was slightly different than past new year celebrations, the end result was the same: A festive countdown, couples embracing, and the joyful ringing in of a new year.

Of course, the general consensus is saying goodbye to 2020 couldn’t have come sooner, a thought shared by many of the thousands of revelers in the resort corridor.

The year was marred by about 1.8 million deaths worldwide from coronavirus, as the global pandemic brought a historic economic and health crisis to Southern Nevada.

New Year's Eve 2020

A couple takes a selfie as fireworks explode over the Plaza in downtown Las Vegas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Launch slideshow »

Our jobless rate reached 30%, we had to borrow ventilators from California to supplement our low supply, and the state deficit surpassed more than $1 billion.

While those problems won’t magically go away in the new year, there’s hope that they soon will be in the rearview mirror. With the first doses of the vaccine administered in December, many local officials anticipate a strong rebound in 2021.

The sense of optimism is shared by many. It was downright brutal — but we survived.

“Hope is on the horizon for 2021 but we must remain vigilant and cannot let our guards down,” Gov. Steve Sisolak posted on Twitter. “Let’s welcome the New Year in a safe & responsible manner by keeping in mind the health & safety of Nevada’s healthcare workers, your family, and neighbors.”

While shopping, gambling, drinking yard-long frozen cocktails and gawking at the sights and lights, most everyone who went out in Vegas was wearing a face mask, though some wore them only half-covering their face.

Typically, New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest parties Las Vegas sees all year, with more than 330,000 revelers, almost all hotel rooms booked and hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into the local economy.

In recent years, the night has been branded “America’s Party,” featuring live entertainment and concerts from big names like Lady Gaga and Journey, extravagant parties at nightclubs and bars, and a choreographed fireworks show launched from the roofs of casino-resorts on the Strip.

But this year, with most of the clubs still closed, live entertainment canceled and a signature fireworks show scuttled, New Year’s Eve was scaled down.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority did not forecast what visitor numbers or room occupancy might be this year, with casinos-resorts limited to 25% capacity and public gatherings capped at 50 people. Metro Police said they too were unable to estimate what the turnout might be but guessed it could be as many as 200,000.

The party appeared to go off without significant conflict, as Metro had heavy police presence on the Strip and in downtown. Metro and other agencies were also out in full force with DUI enforcement.

Metro reported 26 arrests on the Strip and on Fremont Street. Seventeen people were being booked on misdemeanors, while the other nine were on felony counts, police said. In 2019, 

Strip walkways, elevators and escalators resumed operation about 12:15 a.m. Vehicle traffic was scheduled to resume at 3 a.m. on the Strip, about one hour after street sweepers working to get debris off the roads.

• • •

Las Vegas Sun reporters stationed on the Strip and downtown throughout the evening provided updates on the revelry and festivities.

• • •

11 p.m.

Like any other day, but especially tonight, authorities are warning motorists not to drive drunk or high. 

There’s no excuse.

Metro Police reported more than 2,000 officers on duty Thursday night, including 150 motorcycle cops patrolling the roads. That’s in addition to other law enforcement jurisdictions. 

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada said its bus rides are free until 9 a.m. Friday. 

“It’s important for our riders to know we remain committed to their safety and continue implementing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the RTC said in a statement.  

Larger buses are running the routes to increase social distancing and, if needed, additional buses will be put into circulation.

Masks are required, and the vehicles are being sanitized with “hospital-grade” cleaners, the RTC said.

For more information, click here

The Las Vegas Coalition for Zero Fatalities has credited $1,250 to Lyft for rides, meaning $5 off per ride for 250 users. The offer will continue until through 6 a.m., “while supplies last.”

The Lyft code is RIDESMART2021.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

10:45 p.m.

With midnight approaching, Metro Police is reporting 11 arrests on the Strip, and no people detained near Fremont Street Experience.

Eight people were being booked on misdemeanors, while the other three were on felony counts, police said.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

10:30 p.m.

With far fewer revelers on the Las Vegas Strip than in previous years, Clark County officials are reporting a relatively quiet night in which medics have only taken three people to the hospital: two were dizzy, and a third for being “heavily drunk.”

Earlier off the Strip, authorities had received “lots” of calls about illegal fireworks. 

County officials said some were confiscated at a west valley location, and firefighters have responded to multiple calls, including one where fireworks sparked a fire on a Christmas decoration in a far west valley neighborhood. In the same ZIP code, 89135, a portable heater started a house fire.

In the Sunrise Mountain area, crews responded to a car fire inside a garage.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

Click to enlarge photo

Alondra Aguilar and her son Romeo Aguilar, 6, dance near a fence blocking access to the Fremont Street Experience, downtown, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. "We're just waiting for something to happen. Until then we're gonna party here." Aguilar said.

10:20

The crowd along Fremont Street thickened as it coursed toward 4th Street, but the mass that stopped at the barrier leading to the Fremont Street Experience would have looked like it was just waiting at a crosswalk any other New Year’s Eve.

Behind the six feet of chain link, clusters of police and private security guards had relatively little to manage. The occasional passerby asked how to get further into Fremont Street. They were told they had to be registered guests at one of the hotels under the illuminated canopy, a decision that the Fremont Street Experience announced just this morning to control attendance to mitigate COVID-19 spread.

Most people took selfies with the light display behind them, then turned around the way they came.

The Aguilar family was in it for the long haul.

Under the flashing oversized neon ore of the prospector looming over the closed Crazy Ely Western Village gift shop, Alondra Aguilar danced with her son Romeo, 6, keeping warm as they waited for the fireworks to start. They were two hours early.

“We’re hoping they open the gates, but if not we’ll be right here,” she said.

— Hillary Davis

• • •

Click to enlarge photo

In this screen grab from video, Mayor Carolyn Goodman wishes Las Vegas a happy new year.

9:45 p.m.

In normal times, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and husband Oscar Goodman would be counting down to the new year in front of a massive crowd at the Fremont Street Experience.

This time around, the city of Las Vegas provided a brief prerecorded message from the mayor: "Happy new year, everyone! It’s been a tough one, let me tell you. But is 2021 going to be great? You better believe it. Happy new year.” 

It can be viewed here.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

Click to enlarge photo

Californian Johnny DiMatteo, shown with his children Gianna and Gino, pose in front of the Venetian Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

9:20 p.m.

Johnny DiMatteo of Sacramento parked his camper at the RV park at Circus Circus and accompanied his son Gino and daughter Gianna to the Strip. The family is intending to stay up and be part of the festivities until after midnight. 

"We've seen a whole bunch of stuff we see in the movies," said Gino DiMatteo, who recently watched "The Hangover," which was filmed in Las Vegas. The 10-year-old was wearing an enormous Raiders necklace.

Johnny DiMatteo was hesitant about taking his children to the Strip until he saw police lining Las Vegas Boulevard.

"It's very safe. Knock on wood," he said, knocking on a concrete pillar in front of the Venetian.

— Sara MacNeil

• • •

9 p.m.

Clark County issued an air quality advisory for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day because of the possibility of smoke from fireworks.

Despite the cancellation of fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip because of the pandemic, fireworks set off by people in neighborhoods could still create smoke pollution, officials said.

Smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, officials said.

To limit exposure, avoid exertion while outdoors, keep windows and doors closed and change dirty air filters, officials said.

— Sun Staff

• • •

Click to enlarge photo

Imad Elamin escaped cold Minnesota for a night on the Strip to start the new year.

8:45 p.m.

There appears to be significant interest in visiting Las Vegas this New Year's Eve. 

Take Imad Elamin of Minnesota, for example. He said he is staying at the Strat and had to wait 20 minutes to get checked in. 

"There was a big line for the room," he said.

Elamin and his four friends decided to come to Vegas on a whim in hopes of starting a better year.

"It was a bad year for anybody. We had a disaster this year," he said. "I've been locked in the house for a long time. I needed to go out."

His friends have never been to Las Vegas, but he's been once and appreciated the warmer weather. 

"Minnesota is so cold," he said.

— Sara MacNeil

• • •

8:25 p.m.

Eric Marsh and Alicia Stephenson, both of Michigan, took advantage of a last-minute travel deal to fly out earlier this week. 

“We’re not worried about COVID-19,” Marsh said. “We’re having a good time.” 

The pair said they weren’t only here to visit the Strip — they also went to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon this week. 

Outside the Linq, Mona Lott said she was enjoying her sixth trip to Las Vegas, but her first on New Year’s. 

Lott had traveled from Iowa with a friend. 

“It seems a little toned down, but we’re having a great time,” Lott said. “You have to live your life. You can’t just lock yourself up.” 

Greg and Nancy Hansen, of Azusa, Calif., said they are careful about COVID-19 but that didn’t stop them from traveling to Las Vegas, one of Nancy’s favorite places. 

Thursday marked her first New Year’s Eve here.

“I have a double mask on, but you can’t stop living,” Nancy Hansen said. 

As she talked outside the Flamingo, she held a balloon equipped with LED lights that Greg had just bought for her. 

“I turned 60 a few days ago,” Nancy Hansen said. “I wanted to come here and take this all in. You never know how many years you have left.” 

— Bryan Horwath

• • •

8:10 p.m.

There will be no fireworks at midnight on the Strip to ring in the new year because of the pandemic. But there will be a display in downtown. 

At midnight, the Plaza will light up the sky with what is being advertised as the only New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Las Vegas.

Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel said the resort is happy to pick up some of the slack, albeit in a more controlled environment — the Plaza isn’t hosting any parties and hasn’t set up any fireworks observation areas.

Because of concerns about crowds and COVID-19 safety, Fremont Street Experience officials backtracked Thursday on a plan to allow attendees into the downtown pedestrian mall area for a $25 “security fee.”

As a result of the change, only registered guests of Binion’s, the California, Circa, The D, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate and the Golden Nugget will be allowed on the pedestrian mall between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. Friday.

The fireworks will be televised locally on KLAS Channel 8 and KTNV Channel 13. And, of course, “people staying at the hotel will also have a good view,” Jossel said.

“It’s been a difficult 10 months that we’ve all had,” Jossel said. “Downtown was on a great trajectory. It was doing really well, so we hope to get back there. That’s what we hope to see.”

— Bryan Horwath

• • •

7:50 p.m.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has programmed a virtual “Kiss Off 2020” show scheduled to go live at 11:45 p.m.

The show will feature the virtual implosion of a “2020” sign and music from “Vice,” the Tao Group Vegas resident DJ and producer.

“While the destination may not be holding the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular, the excitement the city is known for will still be epic,” the authority wrote in a news release.

As part of a prize contest, the authority will be giving out four trips to Las Vegas. 

To tune in, go to visitlasvegas.com. 

The show will also stream on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/lasvegas/featured) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LasVegas/ )

The streams will open at 11:30 p.m.

For more information on the contest and the show, click here.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

7:30 p.m.

Las Vegas Boulevard, from Spring Mountain Road to Mandalay Bay, has begun to be shut down to vehicle traffic to accommodate New Year’s Eve revelers. 

That means the Nevada Highway Patrol has now blocked access from the Interstate 15 ramps.   

Metro Police expects that stretch of the Strip to be on a hard lockdown by 8 p.m.

— Ricardo Torres-Cortez

• • •

6:45 p.m.

A man with a microphone and speaker was set up at the bottom of the escalator at Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard singing and yelling greetings to a steady crowd.

Click to enlarge photo

Carrie Marlow celebrates New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.

"Welcome to Las Vegas!" and "Y'all some party animals!" he exclaimed as people traveled by. Some wore masks, some did not.

Carrie Marlow, who has lived in Las Vegas for 15 years, said this is the most people she's seen on Las Vegas Boulevard since March.

"See the people walking toward us with no masks on. It's state law to have a mask on," she said.

Marlow, who comes to the Strip every year to celebrate the new year, said more of Las Vegas Boulevard is usually shut down by this early.

"We've been watching from our hotel room saying, 'When are they going to close the road and it just didn't happen,'" she said.

A Metro Police officer in front of the Flamingo said more of the road would be shut down to traffic by 8 p.m. About two dozen officers were staked out in front of the Flamingo.

"Hey, cops! Hey, guys!" a noticeably drunk man yelled. He waved then went on his way, swaying, balancing on the arm of the woman leading him.

Marlow, who is staying at Bally's, said she would need her hotel key to get back onto the property. Last year, she would have just been able to walk in, she said.

"When I checked in they said you had to have a hotel key to get back in your hotel. That's something new," she said.

— Sara MacNeil