Strip returns to normal after ‘orderly’ year-end bash

As night fell Sunday on the first day of the new year, things were back to normal on the Strip as tourists flocked to the bright lights for a second night of partying after one they won't soon forget.

Eighteen hours earlier a record crowd of more than 300,000 revelers jammed Las Vegas Boulevard for a night of nearly incident-free partying and to watch a half-million dollars worth of fireworks go up in smoke.

Some who watched the show from hotel balconies or while immersed in a sea of humanity on the closed-off boulevard were back at it for a second day of the three-day weekend after getting a few hours of sleep, not counting the time spent nursing hangovers.

"I'm having a little bit of the hair of the dog that bit me," said Jonathan Bowman, 26, of San Diego while he stood outside Caesars Palace holding a half-empty plastic cup of beer next to a trio from Texas who were plotting another night of adventure.

"Ah, yes. Vegas," Bowman said, with a smile.

Cody Huwe, 26, of San Marcos, Texas, sipped on a vodka-and-cranberry drink and raved about the good food the group ate at Tao before dozing off at 3 a.m. in their room at Treasure Island.

Tracy Tyler, 23, also from San Marcos, said the fireworks show that lasted more than eight minutes "was amazing from what I remember."

What she won't forget was the crowd consuming lots of beverages. It seemed like "half of it was poured on me," she said.

CELEBRATION CALLED ORDERLY

Despite the size of the crowd and the continuous flow of booze, Las Vegas police seemed to have gotten their wish when they tweeted at 9:30 p.m. Saturday: "Remember to party smart and get home safely!"

Partygoers on Sunday said police were tolerant and helpful and offered directions for the wayward to get back to their hotels.

Police called it an "orderly" celebration on the Strip and at the Fremont Street Experience as revelers brought in the new year.

They arrested 61 people for mis­demeanor offenses at the two locations, including 57 along the resort corridor.

Elsewhere in the city, 22 people were arrested for driving under the influence, authorities said.

Police said they will release more details about the celebration by Wednesday.

The Clark County Fire Department reported 65 calls between 10:30 p.m. and midnight Saturday, none of which was serious. And the Las Vegas Fire Department as of 3 a.m. Sunday reported 16 emergency medical incidents, three miscellaneous incidents and 59 calls to 911.

In Northern Nevada, Reno police said about 20,000 celebrants watched a fireworks display in the downtown casino area, and officers made 19 misdemeanor arrests and two felony arrests.

Deputies say about 30,000 revelers jammed U.S. Highway 50 in the Stateline casino area south of Lake Tahoe and about 10 people were arrested.

A 21-year-old Walnut Creek, Calif., man was killed early Sunday after being struck by a California Highway Patrol vehicle and shuttle bus while walking on U.S. 50 near Stateline. His name wasn't immediately released.

THE STRIP ONE DAY LATER

By Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, motorists had returned to the Strip and tourists trekked the sidewalks on both sides of it.

Street performers performed their routines and handbillers handed out sparsely worded literature depicting scantily clad women.

Kitty, wearing her black Catwoman costume from the night before, strutted down the sidewalk outside Margaritaville's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar.

She recalled how the sky lit up as 56,000 fireworks were launched from eight Strip hotel properties at the stroke of midnight.

"They were great," said Kitty, of New York City, who wouldn't give her last name.

Lynne and Fred Yeashevich, of Port Huron, Mich., were at the poker table when fireworks illuminated the 40-degree air.

"We didn't see them, but we could hear them," Lynne Yeashevich said. "It was wild."

The couple got to bed at 6 a.m., got up at noon, showered, "and hit the buffet," she said.

Some Green Bay Packers fans from Wisconsin -- the Vaughans and the Struensees, wearing Packers jerseys -- were equally impressed with the big party night in Las Vegas.

"We come from a little town with two stoplights," said Mike Struensee, of Neillsville, Wis.

His wife, Sharon, said she was impressed with the variety and the duration of the fireworks show put on by Grucci.

"It was awesome," she said. "It's incredible how they can make that all happen."

Wayne Vaughan would have seen it happen had it not been for the coldness of his Coors Light.

"For years he's always been saying, 'Let's go to Vegas and watch the fireworks.' Then 10 minutes before the show starts, he's sleeping," Nancy Vaughan said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308. Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.