Las Vegas...festive partying in streets! Americans letting off steam...

Judging by the wild party atmosphere rampant last night at the Fremont Street Experience, it appears that Americans have been chomping at the bit to let off a little steam!

In front of Binion's Casino, for instance, enthusiastic music-lovers swayed to the jazzy upbeat sounds of soulful sax player Carl Ferris. (Post: 01/16/09)

And, at one point, a handful of exuberant bystanders were inclined to spontaneously slip into the spotlight alongside the charismatic musician, and break into a funky dance move or two.

Others sipped on exotic cocktails or guzzled a beer (bartenders served up quite a few non-stop in oversize containers shaped like a football) as they strolled along the strip to catch all the action.

As a feisty gang of motorcycle enthusiasts stood around the gold-colored "Globe of Death" waiting for the "Riders of the Thunderdome" to perform their death-defying feats, slightly-tipsy guests at the Golden Nugget tossed beads from a 2nd floor balcony to fun-loving revellers who grovelled for the shiny baubles below.

Probably, the funniest moment for me occurred when three boys - about 7 - 8 years old - lifted up their shirts teasingly in a bold-faced effort to entice a string or two their way.

There was quite a diverse turn-out, too.

Young lovers in romantic moods held hands and smooched openly in the packed street without a care in the world alongside elderly couples out for a night stroll.

Quite a few married couples, with wee tots in tow, also braved the tangled exuberant masses on Fremont, to catch the entertaining street performers, too.

I even spied a few members of the military maneuvering their way through the crowds, in full dress uniform.

Fleet's in!

The upbeat crowd roared approval every hour on the hour when the fantastic "light show" sprang to life on the world's biggest wide screen on the planet overhead.

And like me, sighed a little, when the warm and fuzzy awesome eve came to an end.

But, the party is not over yet!

Tonight, the dare-devil bikers will perform in two closing shows.

(8:15 p.m & 10:15 p.m.)

World-renowned acrobats from Tangiers will wow the tourists & locals once again on Stage 1.

And, the scintillating sax sounds of Carl Ferris, will touch souls under the romantic canopy.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com