Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 22 Survival Guide

Are you ready for your first Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend experience?

So, let's hope you already have the following things: 

High Roller Pass or "Classic" Car Show Only Pass because you honestly thought that would get you into every event. Nope! Just the Car Show, but you'll still have fun, I guess. "I love the smell of exhaust fumes in the morning!"

Transportation; no matter how you get there, just get there. Hitchhike if you have to, just don't get murdered or murder the person giving you a lift. That's not cool. If you're coming from the airport, you can take a shuttle service or I recommend Lyft for a quicker ride to the hotel or else you'll be waiting a few hours. If you're not in a rush, then by all means, shuttle it. Don't take a cab!

CASH! Bring some spending money, really your entire tax return, for everything such as food, shopping, gambling, strip clubs, bail money, etc. Be sure to tell your bank you're going out of town so your credit card doesn't get declined when you're trying to buy a slice at Sbarro. The alarms will go off and security will tackle you.

If you're staying at The Orleans, they give you a bunch of coupons for the food court where you get to save a buck on a burger! You can do a lot with that buck, you know what I'm talking about... yeah you do... you don't? Never mind.

So you're probably wondering about the Vendors. They open on Thursday at 5pm, if you're one of those who's craving the vintage, be the first in line. If you don't really care or want to take a chance, wait until Sunday, some of the prices may go down, and you get to save two dollars on that sweet pair of vintage 1955 socks, with holes!

Clothes! You're going to need those, naked people aren't allowed. If you don't like it, start your own Nudist Rockabilly Weekender. With your clothes, that should include comfortable shoes with Dr. Scholl's, because you'll be doing a lot of walking around, standing around and possibly some dancing around. You can wear flip-flops, but you won't make any friends.

Fellas, if you haven't packed yet, just throw some t-shirts and jeans into a grocery bag and you're set! Maybe one suit. Ladies, I'm sure many of you have started packing since last Summer but if you haven't, I'll let my friend Cherry Dollface show you how to pack for Viva Las Vegas: 

By the way, the Las Vegas sun is a son of a bitch, so get your sunblock, sunglasses (don't wear inside the casino, that's only for blind people and assholes). You'll mainly need those for the pool party and car show. 

In case you forgot your sunglasses, have some eye drops handy, because you'll need it anyway for the next morning when you look like you've been smoking reefers, even though you vape. Or just buy a cheap pair at the gift shop, or steal them from a passed out Elvis impersonator on the Strip. 

An even bigger son of a bitch than the Vegas sun, is the Viva Las Vegas Plague, so pack up on Vitamin C. I'm no doctor, but it does wonders when you take it every morning. You may be thinking "Bullshit", well maybe you'll get lucky (I don't mean getting laid), just don't be surprised to find yourself in bed watching the Price Is Right while coughing your lungs out. Better safe than sorry. Toiletries; including all your grooming products, tooth brush, comb, it's like you're going to a slumber party except with alcohol, cigarette smoke and bad mistakes. And don't forget the aspirin for those pesky hangovers. You'll get hangovers even if you didn't drink. Trust me, I know.

If you're attached to your phone, have your phone charger with you at all times, or you'll freak out when your phone dies and you can't Instagram Live everything.

But most importantly, your Viva Las Vegas schedule! Download it! There are a lot of things to do and see and you won't be able to do them all. First, if you're someone like me who's there for the bands (what other reason would there be?), then be sure to narrow down all the bands you want to see. There are a lot of great acts to choose from but it's impossible to see them all, so I did you the favor of making this Spotify playlist.

You decide from this list who you want to see. I recommend you see anybody that you wouldn't normally get to see in your town, trust me, there are a lot. You won't get to see any of these bands anywhere else. Make the right decision. Be sure to buy their albums, a T-shirt, a button, support music!

Not just the amazing bands and record hops, but so many events are happening including the Burlesque Bingo, VLV Bowling, Charles Phoenix slideshow, Rev Martini's All Night Jump'n Showcase!, Dave & Deke's Hillbilly Fest, Big Sandy has a big surprise happening at the end of the weekend, and John Waters himself will be making an appearance at the Burlesque Showcase, there's something for everybody! You can even get married at the car show, that's insane!

Now, you've checked in the hotel whether you're one of the cool kids at The Orleans or lame at bedbug infested Motel 6, just be happy you have a bed because it will be your best friend for at least two hours of sleep every night. Be sure to pick up any munchies or alcohol so you can stash in your room. If you didn't reserve a fridge, the air conditioner works as a way to cool your drinks, or fill the tub with ice, only to wake up to find your kidney missing... I'm just kidding, or am I? Anyway... If you haven't already, I recommend arriving a day or two earlier. You don't want to just dive right in, give yourself a day to settle in and then check out some rockin' off-site events that Wednesday, including the 2nd Annual Rockin' Party at Glam Factory Vintage at Noon-6pm. Then head over to The Orleans to pick up your wristbands, which there will be a ridiculously long line, so just think like the Rockabilly version of the DMV, just not as annoying. Honestly, it's best to grab a bite at the food court then head back, the line will still be long but now you're not starving but you drank too much and now you have to run to use the restroom. By that time, the line should start to finally move.

If you're there early, have an adventure walking around the Orleans casino. Get used to your surroundings and know where everything is, because if you get lost, you'll end up yelling "I need an adult!" and that's embarrassing. Then stick around for the Pre-Party at the Piano Bar (where there's a piano above the bar... what?).

YES, YES, YES you'll need a wristband to get into every event. You don't need a wristband to use the restroom, eat food, gamble, get drunk, fight security, get arrested, get locked up... you get it. Just be sure you have your wristband.

Oh yeah, DON'T drink the tap water. Have you seen 'Alien'? That's all you need to know. Get bottled water instead.

Thursday morning, you're alive and ready to start the official Viva Las Vegas weekend! Get yourself a cheap $5 breakfast at Fuddrucker's or pay four times that and get the buffet. Whichever your budget allows, you gotta get some food in you.  

Head upstairs at one o'clock for the always fun Sweetpea's Hooch & Smooch, no it's not what you think, it's a great way to start off the weekend with five rocking acts and a place to make friends. If you feel you can't make friends because you smell like soup, no worries, most folks here are friendly. Be sure to grab a name tag and introduce yourself to people! Who knows, you may meet the love of your life or a possible regrettable hook-up! Whether you're single or happily married, you'll probably end up meeting someone with just the right amount of liquid courage in your system.  
Now, if you didn't meet that special someone at Sweetpea's Hooch & Smooch, then run downstairs for the Singles Meet-up, where people from all over the world come together to awkwardly shake hands and make lame small talk. This is your chance to get a phone number, grab a drink together, or just blankly stare off into the distance.

If you still can't meet someone, the entire weekend is pretty much a huge singles mingle, but here's some advice: Don't be a creeper. And advice to the ladies: Watch out for the creepers, I'm not talking about the shoes. Viva creeps are everywhere. Even non-Viva attendee creeps roam around the casino. Be sure to have your drink with you at all times, and have a friend who will gladly cock block for you, just tell them to "Beat it, creep". How to spot a Viva creep? Just like with any creep, he'll stare at you for an inappropriate amount of time, usually going solo or has a shorter even creepier sidekick. He will hit on you, won't care if you have a boyfriend. Don't give him eye contact, he will proceed to get your number or make a move, so don't hesitate to tell security or give him a good kick in the shins, but that might make him angry so best to just run away as fast as you can.  Fellas, this may even describe you, so don't be this guy and treat the ladies with RESPECT.

There are plenty of other Meetups for LGBTQ and Sober folk (You'll actually remember the weekend!) Many chances to make friends! Or enemies...

For the non-creepy good fellas: Apparently, there's such thing as "Rockabilly Prostitutes". Basically, they're like regular Vegas prostitutes, but they got their hands on a wristband and sporting a Poodle skirt. Be careful fellas, unless you got the money, don't think she's flirting with you because she likes your Stray Cats tattoo. However, don't mistake a non-prostitute for a real one and say "So, how much?" because then you're looking at a smack in the face. Flirt at your own risk.

You know how to dance? Great. Be sure to fill up on caffeine as you want to go to the All Night Record Hops. They go on until 7:30 AM, and honestly, the most fun you'll have at Viva Las Vegas.  If you're one of those who doesn't dance because you're too cool, just be sure you're leaning against a wall, don't smile and have a beer in hand, always. If you truly can't dance but you want to learn, check out the Jiving Class with Miss Sophia Wolff happening Friday at 1:30pm, this is where you'll learn how to Jive, Bop, Stroll, Texan Two-Step, learn Kung Fu (I wish), all of that.

"Where should I eat?" You ask. Anywhere that's within your budget and won't give you food poisoning and/or diarrhea. But there are plenty of options inside The Orleans and off-site, just Google it. Yelp also works.

Let's talk about OLD PEOPLE. I'm not talking about the "I've been going to Viva Las Vegas since the beginning so I qualify for AARP". I mean those who actually fought in the Civil War. You should respect your elders, many are there to have just as much fun as you. However, you'll get some elderly folk who will fight you because they want to get close to the stage. It's best to just let them and walk away, you don't want to get your ass beat by grandpa and grandma, or be known as the person who gave them a fatal heart attack by gently tapping their shoulder.

I hope you've already drenched yourself in sunblock and put on those shades because it's the Saturday car show! Check out the cool vintage cars but whatever you do, don't touch, ask the owner first or else he will break your nose just by staring at you.

Honestly, I wouldn't get food at the car show, not that it's bad (the tacos and churros are good), but just a bit overpriced, if you're on a budget. Maybe take a quick ride to In-N-Out Burger or eat the eighth Sbarro slice. But I do recommend the ice cold lemonade though! If you can find it, five bucks gets you a large tall cup and it's refreshing on a hot day, or you can stick with your beer, whichever you prefer.

Walk around, check out the many vendors, but be sure to get at the stage early to have a good view of your favorite band because it gets full. I also recommend leaving during the last song of the last car show act because it'll take you forever to get back to the casino.

Now it's Saturday evening and you're back in the casino only to find yourself surrounded by folks who look like they're going to a Hollywood red carpet premiere. Because Saturday night is when mostly everybody dresses to the nines. Now you feel like a piece of shit because you're wearing your fanny pack and crocs with socks, and everyone is secretly laughing at you. Okay, it's not that drastic, but I recommend making a change so you look semi-formal. But you know what? You can wear whatever the hell you want, as long as you're comfortable.  

Let me say this just this once; THERE IS NO DRESS CODE! You may think you're not "Rockabilly" enough or "Pin-Up" enough, but everyone is there for the same reason as you; to have a damn good time, or judge people for having fun, whichever. All walks of life attend this weekender, just do your thing as long as you don't hurt anybody or yourself, just your liver and feet.

So you're not dead yet and it's the last day, laaame! Some people have left Sunday morning to catch their flight home so they can be responsible, but you're not responsible, so you get to have fun still! And Sunday means POOL PARTY! Yes, there's a pool party all weekend, but Sunday happens to be the most happening. Be sure to get in line early like 5 AM, or  at least before 11 AM. It fills up and takes up to an hour or more to wait. Maybe have a friend save your spot if you can't make it on time. If you don't have any friends, just walk up to a stranger and say "Thanks for saving my spot" and cut in line, that will guarantee some dirty looks, so don't do that actually. This goes for any long lines, just be there early.

So you've taken those dance lessons and now feeling cocky, head over to the Main Ballroom for the Jive Competition. I assure you that you won't win, but it's a lot of fun. Who knows, you may get on YouTube! 

So the most important thing is to HAVE FUN, make some friends, watch some great bands, and just live life! That's what this weekender is all about. 


By Monday morning, even Sunday morning, you will be a zombie. People at the airport may look at you strange and run away, screaming, but know that you're the one who had the best weekend ever.  You'll be happy to go home but you'll have many memories to remember, the sleep deprivation is worth it. Get home, go straight to bed and take a two day nap.

I may not have covered everything on how to survive a Viva Las Vegas weekender. Just find yourself a Viva veteran, if you can spot one, they'll give you the nitty gritty or tell you to "Fuck off, newb!" But I wouldn't worry about that, everyone I've encountered at Viva Las Vegas has been very cool and made me feel welcomed when I was a first timer.

Be sure to look through the entire Viva Las Vegas website and also FAQ to have your questions answered.

I wish you luck on your first Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly experience!

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 21 Survival Guide

Before reading: You can take this guide with a grain of salt but it will seriously help you survive the weekend.

Hey, Viva Virgin! It’s initiation time! First things first, you got to down a 12-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon tall cans and six shots of Fireball... Nah, I’m just kidding, you do that during the weekend. Speaking of weekend, so it’s your first time attending the biggest Rockabilly weekender in the world, right? 

Whether you're going with a friend, a group of friends, or solo because you don't have any friends, you gotta be prepared. Yeah, I know, it’s overwhelming but it's okay, just breathe... we'll get through this together. I’m here to help you. I'm hoping you're one of the lucky ones to get a room at the Orleans or the Super 8 where a Kenny Rogers impersonator serenades you while you’re eating your free continental breakfast. Wherever you’re staying, you got a room, that’s important. You got your High Roller Pass, and if not, well... it's SOLD OUT. That's what happens when you snooze!

However, you can still buy a Classic or a Hot Rodder Ticket which gets you into the Car Show. You're allowed to roam around the casino; gamble, eat, and use the bathroom, hit on strangers and there will be bands playing at the Piano Bar which is free for the public. So it's not a total loss if you didn't get the High Roller, you're just not as cool.

Speaking of money, let's talk budgeting. You're probably wondering "How much money should I bring?" Well that depends what you're going to do with it. Are you going to gamble it away? Drink like a fish? Buy used clothes (I mean "vintage")? Whatever it may be, you want to bring at least $500... actually no, $1000 in cash, but also bring your credit card (if you don't know this, be sure to tell your bank you're going to Vegas or the card won't work. They'll cut your card and you'll get arrested for credit card thief). 

If you're clever, you can get people to buy you a drink, just pull the "I left my wallet in my room" excuse. If you want a good price on vintage, I recommend waiting until Sunday and bargain with the sales person at the vendors, they'll maybe bring the price down but the chances of that moth eaten 1950's sweater you've been eyeing on may not be there by then. Eat the same cheap crap at the food court, that saves a bundle. And don't gamble at all, in fact, let someone else give you their money to gamble with, so if you lose, it's not your money. So those are some ways of saving a few dollars at Viva Las Vegas. 

By the way, you probably want to know what to pack. I'm not going to give you an exact list of things you should pack in your suitcase, there are plenty of "How to Pack for Viva Las Vegas" blogs all over the place. Actually, wait, I do have a checklist for the guys, right here. Oh yeah and for the ladies, Cherry Dollface has a video for how to pack for Viva Las Vegas. Okay, we got that covered!

If you're coming from the airport and need to get there, I suggest not taking a taxi. Not just because they smell like stale cigarette smoke, but they will rip you off. You could take this new thing called Uber or Lyft, it's cheaper (and cleaner!). You can also take the shuttle, which you can make a reservation here or the many other shuttles when you arrive. Don't forget to tip or the shuttle driver will stalk you until you pay them their 2 dollars. 

Okay, now you're ready to have a good time! I mean just look at this video from Bopflix below! Doesn't that look like a good time? Aren't you glad you're going?

Yes, there are a lot of bands this year, SO MANY BANDS! Everyone from legendary acts to bands you've never heard of but should. No way you're going to see every one of them. You’re lucky if you get to see at least 20, maybe 30 tops, if you schedule it right. Before you check the schedule, check out each of the bands online. “But I’m too busy to go online and listen to every single band because I have a life!” Don’t worry, I got you covered! Go to my Spotify Playlist and if you want to know what the bands look like, go to my YouTube Playlist. You'll want to see these bands, many of which you would never see in your hometown. So narrow down who you really want to see, you may have to sacrifice a few bands (no, weirdo, I don't mean kill them) because they do overlap. You are here for the Music, right? 

Of course there are many other events happening including Dave & Deke's Hillbilly Fest, Burlesque Bingo and Showcase, The Stars of Sun Records, Charles Phoenix Slideshow, the Car Show, the vendors (bring cash!), bowling, record hops, the pool party, yeah, yeah... there's a lot to do. I can't write it all down. But what you should do is schedule everything you can down to what you want to see and do. You don't want to miss anything. But leave some room to wing it, that's the fun of it. Just don't get lost in the sea of pompadours and victory rolls. 

Oh yeah, I have to mention, they’ve added an extra three days of live music and record hops starting Monday through Wednesday, with a couple of bands playing each night at the Piano Bar and a Pre-Party in the Bailiwick Pub on Wednesday night, and it's FREE!

So if you’re crazy enough to stay in Vegas for an entire week, I say do it. It's a good warm-up before the main event. If you can't, then arrive on Thursday. Be sure to check-in, throw your bags in the room, and don't forget to buy a bunch of bottled water so you can stay hydrated (don't drink the Vegas tap water, it will kill you). You also want to grab some instant coffee for the room (be sure it has a coffeemaker), you're gonna need it. While you're at it, buy some snacks for the room, that is if you want to save some dough. Unless you're like me, just eat nothing but Sbarro pizza all weekend. 

Speaking of mediocre food court pizza, when you got the time between bands and other events, EAT FOOD! Yes, eating is important. Sometimes you might forget to eat because you're just having too much damn fun. 

You have many options in the casino or even outside of The Orleans. But if you're craving TGI Fridays, I highly recommend getting in line early because there will be a line. So if you're dying for those loaded cheddar and bacon potato skins, you're going to have to wait. I think it's the only place that serves Pabst Blue Ribbon, hence why the long line, I'm just guessing. Like with any food in a Vegas hotel, EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK. You don't want to end up face first in a toilet bowl for the entire weekend after you've eaten the buffet shrimp (I'm not saying you're guaranteed to get sick, but I've heard stories). Also, if you want to save a few bucks on breakfast, Fuddrucker's at the food court has a pretty good and inexpensive breakfast; good for those after drinking and dancing until 7:30 AM. 

After you've done that, head straight to the Bienville Room at 1:00 PM for Sweetpea’s Hooch & Smooch! “What the hell is Sweetpea’s Hooch & Smooch”? Well I’m glad you asked, it’s the place to be because this is where you’ll meet new folks. That one person you meet, they're going to be your best friend for the entire weekend. Check the Facebook event page for more info!

Other places to meet new people are the many meet ups happening on Thursday. There’s a meet up for the sober folks, the LGBTQ community, and for the lonely hearts: The Singles meet-up. If your goal is to have a “weekender girlfriend or boyfriend”, who knows, you may find them at one of these meet-ups. However, if you smell like beef and vegetable soup, I don’t know... just be good at talking and maybe you have a shot. That's entirely up to you. Here's the schedule for the meet-ups.

In my opinion, the best place to meet new people is the record hops. “But I have two left feet!” No worries, that’s where you take Miss Wolff’s Jiving School! Where you'll learn how to Jive, Bop and Stroll. She’ll have lessons on Friday and Saturday, and after a couple of lessons you’ll go from terrible to mediocre. 

If you’re feeling cocky, you can join the Jive, Bop, andStroll dance competition on Sunday, chances are you won’t win but you can say “I did it!” If you're one of those guys who's too cool to dance, I get it, but the ladies like a guy who can dance. Be like Kevin Bacon in Footloose. Just dance, damnit! Also, you should know that record hops go on until 7:30 AM and only the cool kids are the last one's standing.

Whether it’s at the meet ups, record hops, casino bar, car show, etc., you’re going to meet new and awesome people. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to people, and this is coming from an introvert. 

If record hops aren't your thing because watching people dance makes you dizzy and jealous because of your two left feet, you got the All Night Jump'N Showcases presented by Reverend Martini happening in the Bailiwick and Deke's Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Revue in the Bienville Room. Lots of great acts, so check  it out why don't you!

Okay, so you've made some new friends, saw some awesome bands, spent most of your money at the vendors, drank yourself silly, danced until the sun came up, made out with a stranger whose name you don't know and it's only Friday. Now you get back to bed so you can get at least two hours, because that's how much sleep you're gonna get.

Now it’s Saturday: The Car Show! The day you’ve been waiting for to see the "Killer" himself, Jerry Lee Lewis! Guitar legend, Duane Eddy! And some small, just new to the Rockabilly music scene, The Stray Cats. Now I recommend you get there early, around 10 AM. Get right in front of the stage and stay there for the entire day. I mean you can’t move or you’ll lose that spot, but luckily you got some awesome acts playing such as Crazy Man Crazy, Mitch Polzak, and Hot Rod Lincoln to keep you entertained. However, if you’re hungry, TOO BAD, eat before or bring a bagged lunch (nah, you grab a taco or a burger at the car show) You need to use the restroom, TOO BAD, you’ll have to hold it (nah, they have porta potties, but ewww). You can also tell the person next to you to save your spot while you eat and use the restroom, but they won’t. So it’s a chance you have to take. As long as you put on your sunblock, sunglasses and/or you got a parasol above you, you should be fine. With all the events happening over the weekend, you want to get there early! Like they say, the early bird gets the... I forgot. Anyway...

Now, for some reason you can’t go outside because you’ll literally go up in flames or you just hate The Stray Cats so much because they did something to you as a child and now you’re boycotting their reunion, there’s The Wild Records Show happening in the Bienville room all day! It starts at Noon, then they lock the doors and you can't leave, not even to use the restroom. You have to watch every Wild Records band from beginning to end. Rock 'n' Roll! 

It's Saturday night, the car show is over, it's time to get back to your room and change. You want to look dapper! The guys got their suits and vintage ties and the ladies are wearing their vintage gowns and dresses, it gets all classic Hollywood red carpet premiere in the casino for some reason. Now fellas: You basically want to walk in the casino looking like the guys in Swingers, because you're money! 

I mean you can wear whatever the hell you want, but you don't want to be that guy with crocs and socks, unless the crocs have flames and the socks have dice; then you've gone "Crocabilly" (Ha!).

It’s the last day on Sunday, I know it's sad but it’s pool party time! Apparently, they’ve expanded the pool area so now less of a line. To be safe, get there around 11am maybe sometime before, just when people are hungover and dragging themselves to the pool. Luckily, at least I hope, you didn’t drink too much and still got energy, so you can run pass everybody and get to the pool first. Not many people use the pool, so you'll have plenty of room to work on your cannonballs. They do have the pool party happening on other days, not just Sunday. So if you hate people and big crowds, you can go on those days. I mean there will still be lots of people, but just little less than Sunday. 

With both the pool party and the car show, you gotta put on sunblock. I mean drench yourself from head to toe, enough that you can slip and slide on the Ballroom floor like a penguin. That sun is a son of a bitch, and he will burn you.

ATTENTION LADIES! Like with any concert or festival, you’re bound to meet many creeps, or what I like to call, "The Viva Creep", not just because he wears Creepers. He looks like Cry-baby but fell off his motorcycle one too many times (and he doesn't even own a motorcycle), and reeking of Camel cigarettes.  His pompadour is combed with a mix of vaseline and cooking oil. He may have some prison-style tattoos but he's never been prison, maybe a day in a jail cell for public urination. He usually prowls alone, but sometimes has a just as creepy and shorter sidekick. These guys will creep on you and your friends, or hit on you even if your boyfriend is right next to you. He’s usually plastered,  so you can run away or just lightly push him and he’ll fall and turn over like a turtle. Problem solved. 

There’s another guy who creeps around Viva Las Vegas, especially at the car show, they’re called GWC - "Guy With Camera"...

There’s  "Please Take a Photo with Me" Guy: He’s the excited tourist and must take a photo with you. He's usually with his wife and wearing a fanny pack. In fact, he's harmless. 

But then there’s "Check Out My Huge Camera" Guy: Just because he has a camera with three lenses attached on top of each other, he thinks he’s a professional. Watch out for these dudes, they usually sport a ponytail (with receding hairline) or bad 90’s Rocker hair (with receding hairline). They will pester you until they get that photo, you can politely say “No”. Be sure to see a business card first to know if they’re legit. I mean anyone can make a business card, so be careful with that one. Best yet, if you have a parasol; block them from taking your photo. 

And then there’s Sneaky Camera Guy: He’ll sneakily take a photo of you without your permission, creepily say “Thank you” (or say nothing) and walk away. He’ll upload your photo onto his computer in his basement, Photoshop himself in the photo with you and then put it on Instagram tagged “Me and my girlfriend at Viva Las Vegas”. I mean I'm not exactly sure they do that, but I wouldn't be surprised. I've witnessed these guys roaming around, so be very wary of them. 

I’m not saying all photographers are like this. Many of my good friends are excellent professional photographers; those are the ones you want to get a real photoshoot with. 

Other people to be wary of:

• The "Get Off My Lawn" Elderly. While many of the old folk there are nice and will talk about the good ol' days of the 1950s, some will be angry that you're in their way and will try to fight you with their cane. Just walk away.
• The Overweight Elvis Impersonator. There's usually one of these guys and he will steal your fries at Fuddrucker's. Like the Viva Creep, he will probably hit on you and serenade "The Lady Loves Me" to you at the pool party.
• Drunk Guy/Gal at Noon. Of course, lot of people will be drunk at Vegas. But there's always a few who drink during breakfast time and are ready to fight someone, make out with someone or be your best friend at Noon. Don't be that person, at least be that person around midnight. But don't fight anybody, it's not West Side Story, it's not worth getting kicked out for. Unless you actually dance fight someone, that's hilarious.
• Zoot Suit Guy. He's alright, just be wary of the feather on his hat, it will poke your eye out.

I'm sure there are many other people to be wary of, just be careful of your surroundings. Besides that, people are generally really cool. In fact, most folks at Viva Las Vegas are  awesome. Just don't be a creep. 

Let's recap, plus some more tips and DO'S and DON'TS:

1. Download the schedule and narrow down the bands and events you want to see. 
2. Go to Sweetpea's Hooch & Smooch! 
3. Buy water for the room! And coffee! Lots of it!
4. DON'T get plastered on the first day. I know... I know... it's Vegas, but you seriously don't want to pass out before the fun starts. You especially don't want to be this guy.
5. Get on that dance floor, goddamnit!
6. DO wear comfortable shoes for walking and dancing: Flats, sneakers, whatever feels comfortable but DON'T wear flip-flops, unless you really don't want make any friends. Dr. Scholl's always helps too.
7. Get some nasal spray, because you know, dry Vegas air and cigarette smoke; Eyedrops when your eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep and staring at that sun when you forgot your sunglasses (don't forget the sunglasses); Advil for those pesky hangovers; take Vitamin supplements that will help you not get the horrid post-Viva Plague; bandaids for those blisters on your feet or you got in a knife fight with a greaser. Oh yeah,  SUNBLOCK, but I already mentioned that so don't forget it!
8. Get in line early for everything! That includes TGI Fridays, Jive lessons, the vendors and the pool party. 
9. Avoid The Viva Creep and make fun of him from a safe distance. 
10. DON'T be an asshole and start fights with a car club and security. They will destroy you.  
11. Make fun bad decisions as long as you don't end up in a Vegas prison or married to The Viva Creep. 
12. Be sure your jeans are cuffed the right length (not really, but you do want to fit in, right?)
13. DON'T fall in love while you're there. Because you'll get your heart broken, but then you can write a song about it. Who knows? Maybe you can play it at Viva Las Vegas next year! 
14. Most importantly, pace yourself. There's a lot of people to do- I mean... THINGS to do and people to see, and you won't get to see it all. So try to get as much done as you can, but don't worry if you can't do it all. There's always next year... If you survive this year, that is.

Does that cover everything? Probably not, there's a lot I'm missing but I hope this helps you. You're going to have a killer time! Just have fun, make some friends, dance, laugh, forget your troubles back home, don't act a fool, and enjoy the weekend with like-minded people! 

Check the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly website for more info on the many happenings during the weekend and read the FAQ to answer your questions.