Photo Credit: Erik KabikCaesars Palace celebrated its Golden Anniversary on Friday, Aug. 5, on the 50th anniversary of from the day it first opened its doors with a special birthday pool party with nearly 3,000 hotel and special guests hosted by chef Gordon Ramsay at the Garden of The Gods Pool Oasis.
Ramsay led the champagne toast and cut the first slice from a custom five-tier birthday cake complete with sparklers, then introduced a dramatic horse-drawn chariot entrance by Caesar himself. Embracing the Roman and Greek origins of the summer games, a ceremonial torch run followed with Ramsay ultimately lighting a cauldron.
Photo Credit: Erik Kabik
Ramsay was joined by Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, to officially “ignite” a colossal, 10-minute fireworks display that included an illuminated numeral 50 that flickered on Palace Tower to commemorate the milestone anniversary.
On Saturday, celebrities, entertainers and notables from Caesars Palace’s legendary past and present gathered for a gala in celebration of the iconic resort’s 50th anniversary. In advance of the once in a lifetime affair, performers, entertainers and esteemed honorees dazzled on the red carpet.
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
First to arrive on the red carpet, headliner Tony Bennett, who was the second performer to ever appear at the Circus Maximus Showroom in 1966 and in 1969 was the first and only entertainer ever offered a lifetime contract to perform at Caesars Palace.
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
In advance of his hosting duties at the gala, comedian and actor Howie Mandel playfully set the tone for the evening on the red carpet. Mandel celebrated appeared at the Circus Maximus showroom and served as master of ceremonies for Caesars Palace 30th Anniversary television special in 1996.
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Other Caesars Palace and Las Vegas greats also walked the red carpet before enjoying the grand-scale gala event in the Octavius Ballroom at Caesars Palace. Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton was on hand for the celebration. Newton has been performing in Las Vegas for many years and performed in the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesars Palace in the ’80s.
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Brother-sister duo Donny and Marie Osmond appeared gala-chic on the red carpet as they celebrated their partnership with Caesars Palace. The Osmond Brothers opened for Andy Williams in the original Circus Maximus Showroom in 1969.
Joining Donny and Marie on the red carpet, award-winning chef and gala honoree Gordon Ramsay walked the red carpet in style alongside his family. The culinary giant has three restaurants within the Caesars Entertainment hotels in Las Vegas and will soon open his fourth.
Velvet-voiced crooner Matt Goss set the style standard on the red carpet. Goss premiered his residency in The Gossy Room at Caesars Palace in 2010.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Bill Medley and Bucky Heard – The Righteous Brothers brought their flare and style to the gala red carpet. The Righteous Brother were the first rock and roll band to play the Las Vegas Strip in 1965.
