Hop, Skip and a Jump

Looking for something to do this weekend? Consider these numbers: 25, 35, 33 and zero.

Twenty-five is how many miles lie between downtown Las Vegas and Boulder City's historic district, and 35 is about how many minutes you'll need to drive from here to there.

Thirty-three, meanwhile, is how many years Boulder City has been welcoming spring with its annual Spring Jamboree, and zero is exactly how much it'll cost you to enjoy the array of entertainers, artists, shows and other events lined up for this weekend's celebration.

The numbers are worth mentioning, particularly to Las Vegas Valley residents who assume that Boulder City is too far away for a day trip. But the Boulder City Spring Jamboree was created with just such people in mind.

The spring jamboree began as a sidewalk sale organized by Boulder City merchants, explains Jill Lagan, chief executive officer of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, which organizes and runs the event.

The idea, Lagan says, was simply "to try to help our local businesses."

Then, as the years passed, the event grew to incorporate booths, vendors, rides, entertainers and other attractions. These days, the Spring Jamboree attracts between 15,000 and 30,000 annually -- the number depends largely on the weather, Lagan says -- thanks to its extensive and varied roster of family-friendly entertainment opportunities, games and attractions,

This year's event kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with a free showing of the movie "Cars" at Bicentennial Park. A 5K run and 1-mile walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday (registration is at 6:30 a.m.); winners will be announced at 8:45 a.m., when the jamboree officially opens.

Among the events scheduled for Saturday are the Little Miss and Little Mister Boulder City pageant (9 a.m.), a "Bark in the Park" dog show (noon) and a fashion show (6 p.m.).

Among the highlights for Sunday is a concert by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra at 10 a.m.

Events that will run all weekend include a car show featuring more than 250 vehicles, a model car show, a pedal car show, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and arts and crafts and business expos.

Guests can spend all weekend browsing the more than 150 arts, crafts, collectibles and other booths, while kids can enjoy everything from carnival and train rides to face painting. This year's entertainment schedule also includes magicians, clowns and musical groups.

It is, Lagan says, "a family festival. It has something for everybody, and the obvious mission of the Jamboree is to bring people to Boulder City."

And, in that respect, it seems to work, adds Karen Pellouchoud, owner of Periwinkle Cottage, a gift shop at 503 Hotel Plaza, next to the historic Boulder Dam Hotel.

Pellouchoud has owned the shop since 2001. She says she has seen the Spring Jamboree "get bigger every year," and hopes Southern Nevadans' general quest for inexpensive, close-to-home family entertainment options will bode well for this year's event.

"It's really a lot of fun," Pellouchoud says. "When we close for the evening, it's still going on ... so we bring lawn chairs and listen to the music."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@review journal.com or 702-383-0280.