Henderson’s Wild Fest packs more attractions in second year

The second annual Nevada Wild Fest will open at the Henderson Pavilion on Wednesday night, and it's safe to say it'll have something for everyone.

Festival supervisor Jessica Saylor said the inaugural event last year attracted 30,000 people over three days, despite a "massive rainout" one day.

This year, she said, "we've expanded in size and duration," to five days, fencing more than 60 acres, with more than 30 carnival attractions, 900-foot ziplines, an interactive zone for kids, storytelling, puppet shows and dog competitions.

Oh, and concerts. Let's not forget the concerts.

"The idea came from a blending of the L.A. County Fair and Stagecoach, which happens in Coachella (Calif.) every year," Saylor said, "blending the concept of having really great concerts with sort of a fair/festival idea." It's presented by and raises funds for the Lili Claire Foundation, which assists special-needs children with Williams syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and other neurogenetic birth conditions and their families

The live performances will be a mix of free and paid shows, with the free shows earlier in the festival. Opening night will feature "Peepshow's" Holly Madison, comedian George Wallace, magician Rick Thomas and Spanish guitarist Esteban.

Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats will be the headliner Oct. 13, joined by Kevin Cadogan, half of Third Eye Blind. Juice Newton will headline Oct. 14, with local band Against the Grain as opening act.

Paid concerts will be staged the following two nights. Alexandria will open for B. Howard on Oct. 15; tickets are $20 plus fees and will be available at the Henderson Pavilion box office next week or at www.NevadaWildFest.com.

Oct. 16 is Latin Night, with Los Super Reyes performing. Tickets are $23 and available at Mariana's Super Markets, the Eastside Cannery and the South Point.

And, because it's Halloween season, there will be a certain frightful element.

"Blood Village Haunted Houses is doing two psychologically damaging haunts," Saylor said. "They're truly mortifying."

Less so will be the daily talent competition, with each day's winner opening for the nightly pavilion headliner. There also will be cowboy poetry, pony rides, a petting zoo, a human gyroscope and carnival rides for younger children.

The ziplines will start in the upper part of the festival grounds and zip riders across the entrance road, near the free festival stage and all the way down the hill, to end near the Las Vegas Dock Dogs event, she said.

"People can register and their dogs can compete," Saylor added. "There's an Iron Dog competition, vertical jumping competition and distance jumping. You can sit there and watch the show for free. It's absolutely hysterical."

There also will be beer and wine gardens and an assortment of food vendors.

Festival admission is $9, or free for children younger than 3. Limited parking will be available; free parking and shuttles also will be available at the South Point, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South. For details, visit www.NevadaWildFest.com or call 862-8141.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474.