Las Vegas Weekly

May 11, 2009 · 12:24 PM

Holly Madison to lead Strip bikini parade; it’s Jay-Z vs. Jamie Foxx in July

By Robin Leach

Holly Madison at Rehab in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

The Girls Next Door and Playboy beauty Holly Madison has just been recruited by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to launch a “Summer in Paradise” promotion.

Full details will be announced shortly, but Vegas DeLuxe has learned in advance that this Thursday morning, our Merry Mayor of Mirth will make the official proclamation that summer has arrived one month earlier than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere!

It’s timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign south of Mandalay Bay. Hugh Hefner’s former gal pal and Dancing With the Stars Season 8 contestant Holly will host the kickoff runway fashion show of a swimwear retrospective featuring bathing attire from the 1950s right up to present day.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Holly Madison in a poolside cabana at the Palms.

Now we know why Holly was posing for photos over the weekend at the Flamingo’s Go Pool and the new Sapphire Pool at The Rio -- click HERE for yesterday’s story and photos. Good thing I did some extra detective work!

After the swimsuit fashion show, which should effectively shut down the Strip with motorists coming to a stunning stop, will be a unique Guinness Book of World Records attempt. Our Convention and Visitors Authority executives are hoping to shatter the existing record for the World’s Largest Bikini Parade with the walk down Las Vegas Boulevard.

“America’s favorite desert playground is serious about summer, and this certainly proves the point,” Oscar declared. “Nowhere is the pool more celebrated than fabulous Las Vegas. We have so many new and extraordinary activities, events and stars committed to Las Vegas this summer, we will be the best and only place for fun and excitement of this magnitude. Even I am bowled over by the star power and comedy headed here this summer.”

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Sarah Ashley Barker at Rehab.

After the record attempt, festivities continue poolside at participating resorts, from the Hard Rock Hotel to downtown’s Golden Nugget to the waves at Mandalay Bay Beach to the luxury St. Tropez-themed lounge pool at XS in the Encore.

Meantime, Holly and friends hit Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel yesterday. It was a lazy day to hang out in the sun and cool down in the water while sipping on strawberry daiquiris. Also relaxing in a neighboring cabana was model beauty Sarah Ashley Barker.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Jamie Foxx arrives for his 41st birthday celebration at Tao.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Jay-Z at Tao.

Jamie Foxx vs. Jay-Z in July

Vegas DeLuxe also learned this morning that two giant superstar entertainers will be going head to head over Fourth of July weekend. Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z with special guest Ciara has just signed for July 3 and 4 concerts at George Maloof’s Pearl Theater in the Palms, and rival Hard Rock Hotel casino executives have signed Jamie Foxx for the same two back-to-back dates at The Joint.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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