All pictures and video herein are copyrighted and were taken by Laughlin Buzz. We welcome you to use them for your own personal use or share them. If you do we would certainly appreciate a shout out or credit. Thank you!
Pioneer Hotel and Gambling Hall (also known as the Pioneer Casino)
One day last week we were taking a walk along the Riverwalk behind the Pioneer.
(click on images for a larger view)
We were happy to see that the Cowboy sign (River Rick, who has sometimes been called Laughlin Lou) was still completely lit up. No burned out bulbs, all the neon working. All the letters on the sign lit up.
River Rick with a Half Moon rising above him
As we got closer we realized something a bit shocking. His arms were moving! So was his cigarette and he was winking. This is the first time we have ever seen the sign operating as it should. From comments and emails we have received it sounds like it has been many years since River Rick has been fully lit up and operational. We love it and say "Good Job" to the Pioneer and management who finally made this happen.
See for yourself below in the short clip. Click on full screen for best viewing of it.
Later that night there was also a beautiful sunset lighting up the sky with pink hues.
For more pictures and the latest Buzz in Laughlin visit
P.S. We aren't going to mention something else we want to. Do you see it in the pictures? At least we aren't going to say much about it .........yet!
Hint below:
All pictures and video herein are copyrighted and were taken by Laughlin Buzz. However, we welcome you to use them for your own personal use or share them as you desire. We would certainly appreciate a shout out or credit if you do!
Laughlin, Nevada Sunrise Service for Veterans Day Weekend Held on 11-8-14
A small but loyal crowd of veterans, their loved ones, visitors and local residents gathered at the point on the Riverwalk by the Pioneer Casino early Saturday morning for the annual show of remembrance and appreciation for our Veterans. Colors were presented by Veterans from the local American Legion Post 60. Bugler, Chuck Minerman also from Post 60 played Taps at the event.
Laughlin Constable Jordan Ross led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and shared his thoughts. Father Charlie Urnick of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church gave the invocation.
Music was performed by Norma Jean and George.The only thing missing from the event this year was the a 21-gun salute by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Honor Guard.
Here is a clip of a few of the pictures
and part of one song from the event
Since they did NOT have the 21 gun salute this year, we
are including this clip of the salute from last year.
Laughlin, NV
Laughlin Event Center
Tim McGraw Concert
Add caption
Tim McGraw put on an amazing show last night, filled with great music and sound. The outdoor event center was sold out and everyone seemed to enjoy one of the biggest country music acts ever to visit Laughlin.
Photo by Cat Smith
We didn't capture as good pictures as some other people who shared theirs in the Laughlin Buzz group or on their own personal Facebook or Twitter accounts.
With full credit to them, here are just some of the photos from the show last night.
Photo by Cat Smith
Photo by Cat Smith
Photo by Cat Smith
Photo by Cat Smith
Photo Credit: Joe Klein posted on Facebook
Credit - Tropicana Laughlin on Twitter (@TropLaughlin):
If you have pictures of the concert you would like to share, come over to our Facebook Group or send them to us directly
All photos shared are credited to the owners of the pictures (who reserve all rights) and are provided here for entertainment and information purposes only.
Photo Credits Much thank you and appreciation to:
Cat Smith (@CatSmith - FB)
Joe Klein (@JoeKlein - FB)
Tropicana Laughlin (@TropLaughlin - Twitter)
This Tropicana Laughlin is once again hosting the exhibit in their North Parking Lot on Saturday November 8th through 11th. The Wall is expected to arrive at the Tropicana following an official escort which begins at the American Legion Post #60 on Bruce Woodbury Drive in Laughlin on Friday, November 7th at 3PM, After it arrives at the Topicana tt will be welcomed by Rick Yuhas, general manager of the Tropicana Laughlin. Set up for viewing will begin.
Viewing the Wall
Public viewing will be open 24 hours a day after the set up is complete. Viewing is expected to be available starting approximately at noon on Saturday, November 8th.
The wall is 360 feet in length and 8 feet tall. All 53,253 names as inscribed on the original wall in Washington, D.C. are present. The names are located by panel and line number. Etchings of names can be made with a wall rubbing sheet available to make the etching on. There will be a book available that lists the names in alphabetical order giving the panel and line number for each one. Volunteers will be available to help visitors find names in the locator book. The Tropicana will also have a computer set up by the players club in their Casino so guests can look up names on the wall electronically.
Officials with the Traveling Wall have said the purpose of the wall is not to glorify war, but to show, honor, pay respect, and give remembrance to those that protect and defend the way of life that so many people now take for granted.
Veteran's Day Ceremonies and Events in Laughlin
Sunrise Service - Saturday, November 8th
The annual Sunrise Service honoring veterans will once again be held on the Riverwalk behind the Pioneer Casino. This service will begin at 8 am. and will include presentation of colors by Post 60 veterans. Laughlin Constable Jordan Ross will leading the Pledge of Allegiance and give comments. An invocation will be given by Father Charlie Urnick of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Patriotic music performed by Norma Jean and George.
Sunrise Service 3013
The event will also include a 21-gun salute by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Honor Guard and Taps, performed by Post 60 Bugler Chuck Minerman, The Pioneer will be giving Veterans a free breakfast buffet that day; price for non-veterans is $5. Individuals with military ID's can also get a free baseball caps at the Pioneer Players Club booth (one per member, while supplies last).
Veterans Day ceremony
The annual Veterans Day ceremony presented by American Legion Post 60 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 243 takes place at Riverside Fisherman’s Access Park at 11 am on Tuesday, November 11th. This park is located next to the Riverside just before the bridge to Arizona. The ceremony will feature readings of the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest winners. Following the ceremony a a free lunch will be held at the Amerian Legion Post at 1510 Bruce Woodbury Drive in Laughlin.
Veterans Day Parade 2013
Tri City Veterans Day Parade
Bullhead City, AZ hosts the Tri City Veterans Day Parade, conducted by the Colorado River Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association. The parade will begin at 10 am. Saturday, November 8th. The route is starts on Miracle Mile at the Riverview Mall and ends at Marble Canyon Drive.
A free post-parade party (open to the public) will be held at Mohave Shrine Club, 2580 Miracle Mile. Food will be available for purchase.
Lee Greenwood - Laughlin Veterans Day Festival 2012
In the past couple of years there was always a Veteran's Day Festival at the large parking lot between the Golden Nugget and the Laughlin River Lodge (fomerly, the River Palms). This year no event is scheduled. However, there are a couple festivals taking place where you can enjoy music, food and your favorite beverage.
Freedom Festival
The Laughlin Freedom Festival is being presented by the Edgewater and Colorado Belle This will feature live country/rock music on the Loading Dock Stage, Plus All-American food and varieties of beer The fest is Friday from 3-9 pm Saturday 2-9 pm Sunday noon-7 p.m
Live entertainment and music is free; food/beverages are available for purchase.
Veterans with military IDs will receive half-price meals in the Grand Buffet on Veterans Day and half price on Pints Sweet 16 dinners on Tuesday, November 11th.
Victory Plaza Food Fests and Live Entertainment
In addition to hosting the Traveling Wall the Tropicana Laughlin will be holding outdoor food fests at Victory Plaza on Sunday (Nov. 9th) and Tuesday (Nov. 11th) from 3-7 pm. The fest will feature a pig roast with sides of corn-on-the-cob, cole slaw, corn muffin and strawberry shortcake Free live entertainment and a cash bar will be available at Victory Plaza. This will feature The Bob Gulley Band on Sunday, Nov 9th from 2:30 pm.-6:30 pm.) and The Voodoo Cowboys on Tuesday, Nov. Nov 11th from 3-7pm. The music is free; food is $10.99, or get one meal free with 500 points earned on your TropAdvantage Club On Tuesday, Veterans Day, U.S. vets and a guest will receive complimentary food fest dinners, Veterans must have a Trop Advantage Veterans players card, Those who do not must sign up by Nov. 6, to be eligible for the free dinner.
Thank you to all Veterans for your service! For more about the Laughlin area please visit us at LaughlinBuzz.Com
*All content in this blog post are presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. We received no compensation from the properties, events, sponsors, groups, organizations, or restaurants mentioned or pictured in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them. Times, venues, dates, etc..are the sole responsibility of the entity putting on the event and are subject to change.
The Rivers Bar is just off the main casino floor and before one of the Dotty's rooms. A small cashier/ticket redemption counter is right next to it (behind the plant in the picture).
The Rivers Bar is featuring a $5 My Mojito. We have never tried one. This might be our first. Just not this morning as we hadn't even had coffee yet! We have heard talk of multiple other bars being opened in the next phases.
Opposite of the Rivers Bar is a seating area with one TV. No sports book is planned but they may at some point in the future have a William Hill betting kiosk.
A Piano is also in this space.
The Laughlin River Lodge website Entertainment section currently says singer-songwriter Carrie Alice Williams will be performing there.
Photo from LaughlinRiverLodge website
The Decor
Below are a few more pictures of decor. Even though much of the Dotty's area's are more of the Granny's house motif, there are various "Lodge" type signs and decorations sprinkled around the main floor.
By far the most "Lodge" looking part of the operation so far is the Lodge Restaurant on the lower level. They are only open in the evenings. According to their website they are open Thursday-Sunday starting at 5pm.
The Lodge has an excellent $9.99 Prime Rib Dinner Special (currently served on Sunday evenings). We will share a review and details on the restaurant at a later date.
The Hotel Exterior
A framed picture of an artists rendering of the Laughlin River Lodge hangs on the wall inside the Casino.
All traces of the old River Palms sign, colors, logo were removed from the main part of the hotel. Since they went through the effort to hang this we have to assume it will eventually look like that. Here is how it looked as of Nov. 1st. We hope some much needed paint is added as well.
The side view of the hotel tower
The Rooms
According to the hotel the Riverview rooms include an amenity package consisting of a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, and hair dryer, and flat screen TV. High speed WiFi is included is included at no additional charge. Upon check in, each guest receives a complimentary bottle of water, and each room comes with complimentary snack and candy tray.
Model Room on 11th floor - Riverview
Gift Shop
The Gift shop is on the lower level near the Lodge Restaurant. Over the weekend it seemed semi-stocked and had signs saying they were opening soon.
The Restaurants
The Buffet was open on November 1st and 2nd for lunch and dinner. This is also on the lower level and when we left the property at lunch time very few people were in there. There wasn't any notice or signs up on the main Casino level letting people know it was open. The Laughlin River Lodge website says to check with them for seasonal hours of operation.
Denny's is located on the Riverwalk level. This used to be a 24 hour Denny's. Then it was only open on Saturday and Sunday. Now the website says it is open 24 hours again.
The Gaming
As previously noted there are no live table games. The closest you can find to BlackJack or Craps at this time are video versions. One of each kind. No roulette versions.
Slot machines include just about every new game and many penny slots. From what we could tell from earlier visits when they were setting up and playing a few of them, all the machines are brand new never before used. We did not see any of the older style "reel" slot machines.
Everything was video based. All progressive jackpots on the slots were starting from the base amount except those like Megabucks which are linked throughout other properties.
There were several types of 25 cent slot machines but very few dollar and above machines. In fact, we aren't sure if we even say any denominations above $1. There is no high limit slot area. When the property moves into other phases of development this may change.
This is the first Casino we have seen that doesn't have the loud, bright, patterned style carpeting. No neon, no flash, no glitz. At first we were ambivalent about it. After awhile we sort of found it comfortable.
We call it gambling with a relaxing, softer edge.
New Carpeting
Old Carpeting (still in use downstairs)
If you visit the Laughlin River Lodge keep in mind it is a business during construction phase. Only one section of rooms are open. Half of the original Casino floor and one tower of rooms is walled off (we hear work is to start in January). Apparently there are at least 3 phases, including plans for the lower level at a later date. More bars, more machines, and more rooms will be added.
We went in not expecting too much but overall found it to be a pretty good experience. We are trying to find out more particulars about the players club and will share them later. After our initial experience with the club we have a feeling it might far outperform the other local players clubs---at least for the low and mid level rollers who like slots.
Add our blog to your favorites list or join it. We will be adding new updates on the Laughlin River Lodge as we hear them or whenever we visit.
*All content in this blog post is presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. Dates, times, prices, amenities and other descriptions are subject to change and are the sole responsibility of the owner. We receive no compensation from the properties, events, sponsors, groups, organizations, or restaurants mentioned or pictured in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them. Certain details Photos were taken by Laughlin Buzz. Opinions remain our own. You experiences may vary with your own personal tastes and likes.
