The Colorado Belle's Riverboat Ramblers will set the holiday mood for New Year's weekend from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night, Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 27-30. On Sunday, Dec. 31, the Ramblers will play Dixieland classics from 5 p.m. to midnight. All the entertainment is free.

Two classic costumed showgirls will be on hand on New Year's Eve to give away traditional Mardi Gras beads to guests. At the One Club Booth, player club members will be able to pose in free photographs with the showgirls. Free party hats and noisemakers will be handed out in bars, restaurants and live games areas. Just before midnight, free champagne will be given to guests for a special toast. At midnight at the Grand Staircase, while the New Year's Ball drop is broadcast on a big screen television, balloons will descend over the crowd and the Riverboat Ramblers will ring in the New Year with "Auld Lang Syne."

Hotel guests will receive special party favors in their rooms. Room rates start at $100, call 800-477-4837.

Harrah's Beach Café (formerly Cabo Café) offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and round-the-clock dining with seating accommodating up to 209 guests. The Beach Café's new menu features freshly prepared appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts served in a comfortable beachside setting. An estimated $2.1 million was spent to create the beachside-themed restaurant that officially opened in the spring. The Beach Café breakfast menu is available 24-hours; lunch and dinner is served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and, the late night menu is offered from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The 6th Annual Cloud's Jamboree Rock, Gem and Mineral Show is planned at the Avi from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, and at the Riverside Resort from Jan. 12 to 21. Numerous vendors will be selling rocks, gems, minerals, jewelry and collectibles near the RV park at the Avi and in a large tent in the Riverside's South Parking Lot. There's no charge to browse the vendor areas.

The second Laughlin Half Marathon will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, near the Avi Resort. The Half Marathon is 13.1 miles and the 5k is 3.2 miles. Walkers are welcome and the course is sanctioned by the USATF. "Run Along the River!" will take place on a flat fire road, atop a small bluff along the Colorado River.

Early bird registration is open until Dec. 31. The Half Marathon is $35 and 5k $25. As of Jan. 1, the cost goes up $10 and regular registration closes on March 26. For children ages 8 to 12, the fee is $15 and there's a $5 discount for all military. For information, contact Karen Becker at 702-340-4805 or visit www.laughlinhalfmarathon.com.

The entry fee includes a T-shirt, goody bag, personalized timing result card, finisher's and place awards, post-race snacks and beverages, plus entrance to a health and fitness exposition the day before in the Avi's pavilion.

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The inaugural Laughlin Half Marathon and 5k had 193 entries nationwide including participants from London and Canada. Approximately 300 registrants are expected for the 2007 event.

A new event being added next year is the Valet 5k Challenge, which will be a 3.2 mile run at 9:15 a.m. The entry fee is $25. There won't be age divisions in this event. There will be first, second and third place winners. This event is for all valet parkers In North America.

It will be Christmas from the islands at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort from Nov. 29 to Dec. 20. The 7 p.m. shows except on Dec. 12 and 13 will feature holiday entertainment direct from Hawaii. Tickets are $27, call 800-227-3849, ext. 616.

Beginning Nov. 30 at the Edgewater, wreaths decorated by the resort's employees will be on display throughout the casino. A silent auction will be held through Dec. 24 in the Monterey hallway next to the wreath display.

The Colorado Belle's popular "Deck the Boat" Employee Christmas Tree and Wreath Decorating Contest will be held again this year. From Dec. 1-18, visitors can vote on their favorite Christmas trees and wreaths.

The Ramada Express has already begun its Celebration of Lights, where thousands of twinkling lights have turned Victory Plaza into an enchanted village.

Winter Break is a town-wide event planned for Jan. 5-11. Activities take place all the time at various casino sites and the Laughlin area. There will be welcome festivities, educational seminars, ongoing entertainment, fitness activities, country dancing, bingo, a car rally and cruise, sock hop, wine tasting, cooking classes, happy hours, speed dating, gaming tournaments, talents shows, a senior prom, and a chili cook off, etc.

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the Polar Bear Dip will take place. Only the brave will be taking the cool plunge into the Colorado River at Harrah's private beach. The not-so-courageous folks will be cheering the mighty water plungers on while a DJ keeps the party hopping.

It will be a busy day on Jan. 6 with the Car Rally from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with the Laughlin Regional Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Car Rally will include both antiques cars and hot rods competing. Public viewing and judging of the top entries will be ongoing that day and the winners will be announced at the Sock Hop.

At the chili cook-off, which is hosted by the International Chili Society and Golden Nugget and also takes place on Sunday, Jan. 7, there will be live music, food and beverage vendors, raffles, chili tasting, and more. The competition includes Salsa, Red Chili, and Chili Verde. More than 70 cooks are expected for the event with the winners will advancing to the World Finals in Reno to compete for a $25,000 purse.

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