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Movie Fans Skip Hollywood For Vegas

Hundreds of movie fans won’t celebrate the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood. Instead, they booked flights and hotel rooms to attend the Oscar viewing party at the Palms Casino Resort this Sunday, Feb. 27.

Officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Oscar Night America Las Vegas is attracting visitors and tourism revenue from New York to Florida, Wisconsin to Texas and even Canada to Germany.

“This year’s Super Bowl, the most viewed television event of the year, attracted 275,000 visitors to Vegas, which was more than 2.5 times the attendance at the actual game,” said Oscar Night producer Clinton Billups.

“So, we’re not surprised that the Academy Awards telecast, the second highest rated TV event of the year, is attracting visitors from more than a dozen states and several countries to celebrate the Oscars in Las Vegas,” Billups said.

Females account for 75% of the out-of-state ticket purchases, which includes a group of women from Germany who have planned a girls night, according to Billups.

While hundreds of guests will attend this year, Vegas Oscar Night has the potential to become a significant tourism weekend for our city,” Billups said.

The Oscar Night party here will mirror much of the excitement and glamour of Hollywood. Dozens of celebrities will walk the red carpet at 3:00 p.m. with live broadcast coverage by local ABC affiliate KTNV-TV Channel 13. Attendees will watch the 83rd Academy Awards on the giant screens in the Brenden Theaters. Festivities will also include an exclusive celebrity VIP reception in movie entrepreneur Johnny Brenden’s private suite, plus an official after-party at The Playboy Club.

“Plus, it’s only fitting that in The City of Entertainment, we will be raising money for Variety, our local entertainment industry’s favorite charity,” Billups said.

Established by local resort and entertainment executives in 1950, Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern Nevada, is one of the oldest charities in Las Vegas. This philanthropic organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for local children with special needs and has donated more than $7 million worth of goods, services and money to children’s programs affiliated with 36 local non-profit agencies.

For the past 18 years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has cooperated with local charities to support official Oscar Night viewing parties throughout the country. More than $3 million was raised last year in 51 cities. All money raised stays in the local communities.

Ticket options for Oscar Night America Las Vegas include:

• General Admission Ticket @ $50 includes viewing of celebrity red carpet arrivals; a voucher for $30 in theater food & beverage concessions; no-host bar; the official Oscar Night America Las Vegas Souvenir Program; professional photo opportunity; theater viewing of the Oscars telecast; and free admission to the official after-party in the Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort.
• Red Carpet Walk Ticket @ $97.50 includes limousine service from designated on-site area to Red Carpet Entrance (Arrive like a star!); Red Carpet Walk; a voucher for $50 in theater food & beverage concessions; no-host bar; the official Oscar Night America Las Vegas Souvenir Program; professional photo opportunity; theater viewing of the Oscars telecast; and free admission to the official after-party in the Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort.
• VIP Ticket @ $500 includes limousine service from designated on-site area to Red Carpet Entrance (Arrive like a star!); Red Carpet Walk; Professional Photo Opportunity; The official Oscar Night America Las Vegas Souvenir Program, plus the official 83rd Academy Awards Program (Same as the stars receive!); Admission to the Celebrity VIP Reception in the luxurious Brendan Celebrity Suite with hosted bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres; Private balcony theater viewing of the Oscars telecast; and free VIP admission to the official after-party in the Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.ONALV.org or by calling 702-383-8466. Tickets will also be available for purchase on Sunday, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., at the Brenden Theaters in the Palms Casino.