James Bond themed festivities planned for New Year in Las Vegas

29-Dec-2006 • Event

While others shop for champagne and party hats, southern Nevada officials were preparing security and traffic measures Thursday for a New Year's Eve party night.

Revelers planning to mass on the Las Vegas Strip late Sunday for the "America's Party 2007" midnight fireworks show should plan to arrive early and stay late, said Bobby Shelton, Clark County public works spokesman.

Streets are expected to be jammed with up to 300,000 people after authorities shut metal gates on major thoroughfares to prevent vehicles from entering the Strip during the sixth annual fireworks show.

The closures turn the 4-mile-long resort corridor into a pedestrians-only street party featuring fireworks from seven hotel roofs.

Winds are expected to be minimal and temperatures at midnight should be in the low 40s for the featured event, National Weather Service meteorologist John Adair said.

The pyrotechnics will be set to music from James Bond films with a "Vegas Royale 2007" theme, organizers said.

Police, fire and local governments have improved radio communications with a system that Jim O'Brien, Clark County emergency management and homeland security director, said has gotten high marks from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Bill Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman, said officials were unaware of any terrorist threats to Las Vegas related to the celebration. Police planned to address "every possible public safety concern," he said.

Paramedics plan to move through the crowd on foot, and authorities plan three temporary medical facilities near the strip.

The Nevada Highway Patrol plans to close I-15 ramps at Tropicana, Flamingo and Spring Mountain roads during the event, Trooper Kevin Honea said.

The downtown Fremont Street Experience casino mall plans to feature live music and entertainment for ticketed guests as part of a live DIRECTV broadcast dubbed "CD USA."