caesars tahoe

Freaker's Ball at MontBleu canceled for 2020

The long-running tradition of the Freaker's Ball is taking a year. The 42nd annual event will be waiting one more year but organizers promise it will be better than ever. Originally scheduled to take place Saturday, October 31, MontBleu found itself, like so many venues, unable to host the annual event due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines in effect statewide.

Forty years of Freaker's Ball in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
October 27, 2018 - 9:00pm

This year is a big milestone in the history of the Freaker's Ball....40 years of fun and entertainment at a variety of South Shore locations since its inception. On Saturday, October 26, 2018 the Freaker's Ball will be held at MontBleu Resort & Spa starting at 9:00 p.m. The crowds continue to grow and the costumes continue to entertain.

The following is a reprint of our story from 2014:

The Beginning in 1978

Tahoe Pourhouse prepares to open in South Lake Tahoe

Another stop on the South Lake Tahoe epicurean trail is slated to open this week, and for those looking for something new in the world of wine and tasty bites, its not a moment too soon.

The Tahoe Pourhouse is located in the Crossing at Tahoe Valley, currently home to two other popular eateries, Lake Tahoe Alexworx and Verde. They will share the outdoor plaza with the new brewery.

Dave McClure 1950~2018

David Alan McClure passed away from multiple organ failure at Renown Hospital on February 24, 2018.

He was the first born child of Charles and Florence Engstrom McClure in Martinez, Calif., on October 7, 1050. Soon after, they moved to San Francisco, they lived in the student housing quonset huts while Charles got his teaching degree. Four years later they moved to San Anselmo, in Marin County, where the family lived in an Asian pagoda style home until 2016.

South Lake Tahoe florist changes hands

The Enchanted Florist in South Lake Tahoe now has a new owner, long time local Karen Estes.

Owners Jeri and Noboru Oishi owned the popular flower shop on Emerald Bay Road for 16 years and handed over the keys to Estes on February 1, 2018.

"I love anything flowers," said Estes who had operated an online and corner market, Karen's Flower Stand.

Longest running Lake Tahoe Halloween party, the Freakers Ball, returns

Event Date: 
October 28, 2017 - 8:00pm

For almost four decades, Halloween in South Lake Tahoe has been a party like no other with the annual Freakers Ball bringing people in from all over to demonstrate their creative talents in costume creations.

Local Brian Williams started the tradition inside the Tahoe Palace, a Chinese restaurant which was located next to Raley's at Stateline at the time. He named the event after the 1972 Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show song, "Freaker's Ball." The location changed from there, to the old Super 8 (Knight's Inn), Edgewood Tahoe, the former nightclub Turtles, then to Caesars Tahoe.

Reunion for former employees of Park Tahoe and Caesars Tahoe

Event Date: 
July 9, 2017 - 6:30pm

Employees from the original Park Tahoe (1978-1979) and early years of Caesars Tahoe (1979-1985) are gathering again this summer for the second reunion of former co-workers and their families.

They gathered in 2012 and the event was such a big success, organizers decided to do it again based on the feedback they received over the last five years.

This year's event will be held at MontBleu Casino Resort on July 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The cost is $89 per person and covers everything including a DVD with memories of the old days and a souvenir tee shirt. Bar is not included.

Jose Jesus Bobadilla 1956-2016

South Lake Tahoe resident Jose Jesus Bobadilla passed away on December 24, 2016 at the age of 60.

He was born on February 13, 1956 in Mexico and moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1980 where he resided until his death.

Jose Jesus is survived by his wife, Mindy Magpusao Bobadilla, who took care of him for the past five years as he was bedridden. He also leaves behind two sons, Anthony M. Bobadilla and Paulo M. Bobadilla who also assisted with his care.

New and traditional Halloween parties on the South Shore for adults

The 38th Annual Freaker's Ball, Lake Tahoe’s largest, oldest and most extravagant Halloween party, brings the wild with a four-ring costume circus in the Convention Center, Opal Ultra Lounge and Blu Nightclub venues at MontBleu on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. Cost is $35 prior to Saturday, then $40 at the door if tickets are available. Costume contest with prizes.

On Friday, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino holds the 2nd Annual Rockin’ Dead Halloween Bash inside Vinyl starting at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $25. Costume contest with prizes.

August 27: 36th anniversary of Harvey's Resort bombing

For those that were on the South Shore on August 27, 1980, they'll be able to tell you exactly where they were, or what they were doing when law enforcement detonated a bomb that had been left inside Harvey's Resort casino in Lake Tahoe.

Three men planted a bomb containing 1,000 pounds of dynamite inside a machine they delivered to the second floor. Successful landscaper, John Birges from Clovis, Calif., the mastermind behind the bomb, was attempting to extort $3 million from the casino, claiming he had lost $750,000 gambling there.

Maciej Stebel sworn in as Douglas County Deputy

From Poland to Caesars Tahoe to Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Maciej Stebel was sworn in as the department's newest deputy sheriff on Monday, May 9, 2016.

Stebel was sworn by Sheriff Ron Pierini at the Douglas County Judicial Building. Several captains, sergeants, deputies and staff, as well as his wife Beth, family and close friends came to support him in his new position which he worked so hard to attain.

Don the Baker helps students create 125 gingerbread houses

Over the past 15 years, Cakes by the Lake owner and baker Don Ewing, has donated the parts to help students at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School make about 1,800 gingerbread houses. That means, he's used one ton of sugar, 1,440 cups of molasses and 11,100 egg whites to help the school's fifth graders raise money for their annual fifth grade field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Marine Science Institute.

Torch Bruce Jenner carried through South Lake Tahoe sells for $24,000

The 1984 Summer Olympic Torch that Bruce Jenner carried through the South Shore has sold for just under $24,000 at auction.

The torch is the first major piece of Jenner memorabilia to go to auction since the winner of the 1976 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal became Caitlyn Jenner. It had been estimated to bring $20,000 or more.

The seller was Bob Lorsch, a Los Angeles philanthropist and entrepreneur who orchestrated the Tahoe leg of the torch relay and secured Jenner's participation.

The Story Behind South Lake Tahoe's Freaker's Ball

At the end of the month, costumed revelers will descend upon the MontBleu nightclubs for the 36th Annual Freaker's Ball in South Lake Tahoe. Partiers will be attired in everything from wild, provocative and risque to funny, crazy and creative costumes.

But how did one of the biggest and most popular Halloween events in the region ever come about?

The Beginning in 1978

Lake Tahoe entertainer Arthur Hervey launches campaign to help with medical expenses

Many people know him as Arty the Party, others know him as Arthur Hervey while others will remember him as a local entertainer who has graced local stages with his piano and singing for years.

Arty, who once worked for Caesars Tahoe and is now with Harrah's Tahoe, recently lost his wife Randee to Andrenal Cancer. Their love story lives on even though Randee is no longer with us. Facing mounting medical bills, a gofundme.com campaign has been launched to help with expenses.

Survivor of 1985 Lake Tahoe Gambling Trip Tragedy is Focus of CNN Special

It started off as any week at Caesars Tahoe leading up to the Super Bowl. Decorations, parties, betting and hype. Only this year was different. It is January of 1985 and the Super Bowl was being held fairly close to Lake Tahoe at Stanford in Palo Alto. Due to the proximity, a group of VIPs was invited to Caesars Tahoe for a few days of pre-Super Bowl fun before flying to the game with a casino host.

Long-time Lake Tahoe lawman Les Lovell retires

Since as far back as he could remember, Les Lovell wanted to be a law enforcement officer.
The notions of keeping peace and preserving justice were always on his radar and for 30-plus years, the now-retired senior lieutenant for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Lake Tahoe Branch fulfilled his commitment.

Local musician Jesse Kalin announces the hiring of new personal manager

Refining his sound by ‘going solo’ local singer and songwriter Jesse Kalin is pleased to announce the hiring of personal manager, Karen Estes of Estes Management Company.

Jesse and Karen first worked together when she worked at Caesars Tahoe and Jesse was getting started with his career. Their hope is to bring the best of Jesse’s music to every one , performing in Lake Tahoe and in cities such as Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco and beyond! “The sky is the limit with the passion and talent that Jesse beholds.” Says Estes.

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