In 1935 Las Vegas began the annual Helldorado Days celebrations as a way to entertain the locals and as a tourist draw.

Our oldest pin is from 1950, the 16th annual celebration. According to collector friends, that may have been the first year pins were issued...at least no older ones have been found (yet?). Also shown is our 1983 belt buckle.

The celebration, consisting of parades, rodeos, beard growing contests, dances, a kangaroo court and other frontier fun, lasted for 4 days. This April, 1955 brochure reminds visitors to come back in May for the fun!

Who, other than Las Vegas, would use the devil himself to promote the town? In 1946 Roy Rogers made a feature film during Helldorado Days. The censors forced the removal of one "L" from the films title. The film shows part of an actual Helldorado Parade.

The Old Timers Parade was the kick-off of the festivities. On day 2 was a Small Fry parade. The Beauty Parade, with skimpily clad lovlies adorning the floats, was the grand finale to the festivities.