Vigorous Security Measures for Vegas Golden Knights’ Victory Procession Amidst 2017 Shooting Resonances

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A massive crowd, likely running into the tens of thousands, of Vegas Golden Knights fans is anticipated at the epicenter of the Las Vegas Strip this Saturday for a victory parade and rally celebrating the team’s inaugural Stanley Cup triumph.

The event, which comes five years after the deadliest mass shooting in contemporary U.S. history, brings a somber reminder of the tragedy for the team that made its debut in October 2017, and for tourists watching from hotel rooms along the parade route in 2023. Security measures have been significantly heightened, with hotel guests being awakened by security personnel for inspections around windows for firearms or other weapons.

In anticipation of over 100,000 spectators crowding the street-level areas along the Las Vegas Boulevard, the Las Vegas police have escalated their preparations. The celebration has been likened to the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks shows, which in previous years have attracted up to 400,000 individuals. Saturday’s evening temperatures were expected to hover in the 90s, unlike the winter chills of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

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Memories of the October 2017 shooting were invoked by the hotel room inspections, where a solitary shooter unleashed gunfire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel into a gathering of 20,000 concertgoers. That night claimed 58 lives, with two more succumbing later to their injuries. Over 850 people were reported injured, and the perpetrator ended his own life prior to the police reaching him. The reasons for his horrific assault remain unknown.

The Golden Knights, humorously self-titled the “Golden Misfits” after being selected from different NHL teams, have shown solidarity with survivors, first responders, and volunteers. Over the years, they have become integral to the “Vegas Strong” initiatives aimed at facilitating community healing.

In their debut year, team owner Bill Foley ambitiously projected the Golden Knights would reach the playoffs in three years and secure the Stanley Cup within six years. Contrary to many expectations, they reached the playoffs in their first year and made it to the finals, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.

This year, the Golden Knights sailed through the playoffs, never experiencing an elimination match, and crushed the Florida Panthers 9-3 in the fifth game on Tuesday. Team captain Mark Stone achieved a three-goal “hat trick,” while Jonathan Marchessault, who received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, is one of the six original Golden Knights expansion team members.

Throughout the week, team members were seen celebrating at popular resorts that the parade would pass by, including Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Bellagio, Horseshoe, Paris Las Vegas, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, New York-New York, Aria, and MGM Grand.

Authorities have planned to close the Strip for the motorcade, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. near Flamingo Road and cover about a mile to Tropicana Avenue before concluding with a fan rally at Toshiba Plaza and the Park District in front of T-Mobile Arena.

Roads are expected to close from about 4:30 p.m. until the end of the celebrations. Prohibited items include glass bottles, large bags, luggage, backpacks, coolers, strollers, and foldable seats.

Last September, the same parade route, plaza, and arena also hosted a championship victory celebration when the Las Vegas Aces overpowered the Connecticut Sun to win the WNBA Championship. The women’s basketball team also plays at T-Mobile Arena.

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Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News sports writer Mark Anderson.

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This report has been amended to clarify that road closures are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., not 3 p.m.

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More about Vegas Golden Knights Victory Parade

• Vegas Golden Knights Official Website
• The 2017 Las Vegas Shooting
• Stanley Cup Playoffs History
• Stanley Cup Victory Parades
• Las Vegas Strip Events
• WNBA Champions – Las Vegas Aces