Fans & Artists Alike Revved Up for the 3rd Annual Viva Laughlin! Spectacular

Laughlin, NV-August 28, 2006. Viva Laughlin! returns for the third consecutive year with a variety of entertainment options as it continues its tradition of saluting Hispanic Heritage Month in Southern Nevada. Held every year throughout Laughlin’s casino-resorts, Viva Laughlin! will open on Friday, Oct. 6 and will continue through Monday, Oct. 9.
Viva Laughlin! offers everything adult Hispanics enjoy: entertainment, food and dance, making this the perfect destination to come celebrate their heritage. Los Angeles Hispanics alone make an average of 3.2 casino visits per year, representing over 5 million potential visits (Simmons Market Research Bureau), which creates a great opportunity for Laughlin.
“Last year, I helped to organize three turnaround bus trips from Los Angeles to Laughlin for Viva Laughlin! We all had a great time, and so many of us are looking forward to attending this year as well. I already have a group of over 50 Angelinos that can't wait for October to come,” said Marizsa Bravo from Los Angeles.
From Oct. 4-9, the three-time Grammy award winning Tejano sensation La Mafia will perform at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort at 8 p.m. every night in the Celebrity Theater. People can enjoy their chart-topping hits for only $32 per ticket.
The legendary Tejano superstar Little Joe y La Familia will perform on Saturday, October 7th at the Flamingo Laughlin at 8 p.m. Bringing his well-known songs back to a Laughlin stage after a few years’ absence, Little Joe is happy to be a part of this year’s festival and the show promises to be an enjoyment for everyone. When asked how he felt about returning to Laughlin, Little Joe said, “I am looking forward to being back on stage in Laughlin. It is such a great town and it is always fun to perform there. The fans always make it an interesting time; they are the ones that make our show spontaneous. I always try to sing what they want, which helps give our show variety as we try to satisfy all musical tastes.”
Visitors to this year's festival can also enjoy the smooth sounds of the legends of Latin Soul, Tierra and Malo, who may be seen at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the Ramada Express Casino for $25. “It’s been five years since we have done a show in
Laughlin, so we are really excited to be invited to participate in this festival to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Not only will this give us the chance to celebrate our heritage and share it with everyone, but it brings us back to a city that we have missed working in,” said Rudy Salas of Tierra.
The music options don’t stop there. More musical sounds gathered on this spectacular festival include: Rancheras, Polkas, Cumbias, and Norteño group Ambixion Friday thru Sunday at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino and joining them will be New Mexico’s leading female duet, identical twins Las Florecitas who take their accordion driven Norteño/Tejano sound to the extreme.
In addition, the band Black Jack will perform English and Spanish cover songs on Friday thru Sunday at the Ramada Express Hotel & Casino, which will also be the scene of the street party hosted by DJ Fernando G of Los Angeles, where attendees can dance the night away to his spinning of the hottest Latin tracks.
The whole family will be able to enjoy the dazzling rope tricks of authentic Mexican Charreria with guest Trick Roper and the grace of the Ballet Folklorico, Mexico Vivo, performing traditional Mexican and Latin American folkloric dances at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino’s Center Circle.
Miss Hawaiian Tropic Latina Models will bring more excitement by showcasing the beauty of Latina women on Saturday, October 7th at the Colorado Belle Hotel Casino.
The Hawaiian Tropic pageant is the #1 pageant system in the world and the most extensive promotion for an event of this nature. In addition great drink specials, food and contests will be offered.
At long last attendees can now up the ante at Viva Laughlin! at the first ever Mexican Poker tournament hosted by the Colorado Belle Hotel - Casino Poker Room on Saturday, October 7th at 1 p.m. Buy in fee is $60 and seating is based on availability. Participants must be 21/over.
Viva Laughlin! is organized and produced by The Laughlin Tourism Committee and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) together with Pochteca Media. For a full schedule of events, venue locations and ticket information, please log onto www.visitlaughlin.com or call 1-800-4Laughlin. For media and sponsorship inquires contact Pochteca Media at 213-745-7717.

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About the Laughlin Tourism Committee
The Laughlin Tourism Committee, a division of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, provides the strategic vision for the destination of Laughlin. It is responsible for marketing Laughlin to the Southwest and the world.

About Pochteca Media
Pochteca Media is a Multicultural Communications Agency specializing in the gaming and tourism industry. The company has successfully initiated and branded some of the countries most important Hispanic events such as The Edward James Olmos Latino Book & Family Festival, Fiesta Broadway, Fiesta del Sol Chicago, The Alex & Joey Comedy Tour and Las Vegas Caliente. Pochteca Media is also a member of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association.

About Hispanic Heritage Month
In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Mexico, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.