EVENT PLANNING 101: Plan for longevity and introduce new elements annually to keep the event fresh and exciting.
The Eureka Casino Resort has been hosting the Independence Day celebration in Mesquite, NV for over a decade, and I’ve been there every step of the way. The fireworks show off the top of a mesa is a given; people love to watch stuff explode! But it wouldn’t be a true celebration without the extras. Each year, the full 31-piece Nevada POPS Orchestra performs – sometimes with special guests like Broadway stars or Las Vegas resident performers. The stars may change annually, but each performance is capped off with the orchestra’s live accompaniment of the fireworks show.
Some aspects of annual events become rote but each year brings its new challenges. There were years that the heat neared 120 degrees but people came anyway! One memorable year, we hit capacity because the demand to attend a charity lip sync event was more than anyone could have dreamed. And in a year like no other, 2020 presented more unique challenges. Changes needed to be made to have a safe celebration, so we partnered with NPR to broadcast a concert and the fireworks show was drive-in style.
