Centennial events you probably shouldn't miss

Centennial Fly-By, May 7

Look. Up in the sky. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a 1917 Curtis JN-4 Jenny. And it's only one in a squadron of vintage aircraft that will fly over the Strip to commemorate the 85th anniversary of plane travel in Las Vegas.

Helldorado Days Parade and Western Village, May 10-15

Helldorado Days was inaugurated in 1935 as a Wild West-themed PR event, during which men grew out their beards, women exposed their wrists and ankles (which was unimaginably titillating at the time) and both sexes wallowed in bootleg whiskey. It fizzled out in 1997 but will be revived in the Main Street Station south parking lot for the Centennial--general store, livery stable, whiskerino contest, kangaroo court and all.

Las Vegas' Birthday, May 15

UNLV historians will debate Las Vegas' actual birthdate well into the next century, but no one will debate the fact that Sara Lee makes one big-ass birthday cake. The Centennial cake will weigh 53 tons--a Guinness World Record--and will be available to anyone with a taste for frozen cake that has been sitting outside for an entire summer day. Also on the docket for the day's activities is a re-creation of the 1905 land auction. Make a lowball bid on City Hall, evict Mayor Goodman and begin your reign as the Centennial's new chairman.

Once Upon 100 Weddings, June 9

If Fox is going to do a reality show on any of the events sanctioned by the Centennial Committee, this is it. On June 9, 100 couples will be married in 100 simultaneous ceremonies beneath the Fremont Street canopy--an event that will require 100 times the normal allotment of rice, Kleenex and slutty bridesmaids. Potential couples can register at the Southwest Airlines website in early 2005.

Cinevegas Film Festival, June 10-18

The five greatest movies ever filmed in Las Vegas? Hmmm, Showgirls, The Amazing Colossal Man, Rat Race, Fools Rush In and Vegas Vacation. That seems pretty comprehensive, but maybe there will be a few surprises as Cinevegas celebrates Las Vegas on the silver screen at the Palms.

Las Vegas: A History in Song, June 16-Aug. 14

"Las Vegas is 100, can't you see?/ It's a neat place to live for you and me..." (These are not the actual lyrics. The real show will play at the Las Vegas Little Theatre.)

Centennial Bash, July 1-4

Clear Channel is promising BIG-NAME entertainers for this weekend extravaganza, so don't think you'll be settling for Frank Marino, Clint Holmes and the Scintas. Homegrown rock upstarts the Killers are a natural selection as are the Crystal Method and B.B. King, but Clear Channel spokespeople aren't giving up any details at the moment. Just don't be surprised if the event gets Manilow-ized before all is said and done.

Centennial Time Capsule, November

The exact plans for the Centennial time capsule have not been finalized, but that only means you have plenty of time to clean out your attic and find some junk--er, history--to stuff inside. Visit lasvegas2005.org to find out how you're your tale of Las Vegas whimsy or woe can be preserved for posterity.