2023 marks the start of a new era in Palooza history, as several Paloozian sons join the fun for the first time. Four take the plunge and became Paloozians for life. They may not be back next year, but trust me, they’ll be back eventually.

Sean and Milo both drive to Vegas as the rest of the Paloozians arrive by air. Here’s Milo letting us all know that he’s arrived in Sin City after wolfing a Tommy’s Chili Burger. The Paloozians draw straws on who has to room with him.

While waiting at baggage claim for all the Paloozians to arrive, Craig spots Curb star, Wanda Sykes as she flies by.

Sean’s first order of business is to transform his room into an epic mini bar and central meeting place for the Paloozians.

Then it’s down to one of the bars in New York New York for a first round of drinks before heading out for a steak dinner.

B-Luv suggests we partake in the old-school charm of Hugo’s Cellar downtown and it proves to be the right call. Table-side salad service, big juicy steaks, and amazing deserts make for a great start to the 27th edition of Colopalooza.

There was no chance we’d be catching the Criss Angel show.

After their big dinner, the Paloozians head over to check out the neon freak show that Fremont Street has become.

In a town where gold diggers come and go, this guy has somehow managed to make a living here on Fremont Street since 1975.

Things get interesting when the Paloozians stumble upon this fool in the Hawaiian shirt, who is so drunk he can barely stand. After picking a fight with the guy holding the camera, he gets sprayed in the face with mace. A bizarre scene.

Sean stops to swap war stories with a couple of topless cowboys.

The next day gets off on solid footing, as Sean and Brad await their breakfast burritos before heading out for some golf.

The boys play 18 holes at Eagle Crest on a perfect day for golf. Not a cloud in the sky.

Craig and Brad are pretty fired up after crushing the first few holes.

But things go a little sideways when Brad hits his ball so hard that his club head snaps off the end (yeah, he’s been lifting).

Brad and this pine cone creature become fast friends.

Brad hits a tree so hard that literally dozens of pine cones fall from the tree. This lifting thing is really working out for him.

Gary, Milo and Sean stop to get a lovely selfie on the course.

Everyone has a good round, except for the cone-less tree that Brad pummels. Post-round Silver Bullets for everyone!

After golf, the Paloozians head out for dinner at Lindo Michoacan for Mexican food. Gary and Bill stop to take this lovely portrait of their lives in old Mexico.

Lindo Michoacan is off the beaten path but a longtime favorite of Las Vegas locals. There, the Paloozians have enough Queso Fundido to last several lifetimes.

To get a free shot of tequila and dessert, we celebrate Josh’s “birthday”. Nothing goes down better with cake than tequila.

Next, the boys arrive early for their tour at the Neon Museum. They try to take the tour early but are rebuffed.

The Neon Museum is a collection of tons of working neon from hotels and clubs of days gone by. Best to see at night.

Here’s Milo trying to keep a straight face in front of the Yucca Motel sign.

The Paloozians were a little surprised to know that Sean’s brother Duke had once posed for this pool hall neon.

The third day kicks off with a drive out to hike at Valley of Fire State Park. Gary lets the locals know that they have arrived by flashing some Paloozian gang symbols.

Josh was in Vegas early for some work. The rest of the Paloozian sons will be joining the fun later that night.

Web stands atop some sandstone and reminds all the Paloozians that he single-handedly broke a driver yesterday.

The Valley of Fire is a bit like Zion National Park, with lots of winding crevices through layers of sandstone rock.

Here the boys walk though a very tight portion of the path.

Sean is quite positive that the Paloozians need to keep going this way. Sadly, he is incorrect by just 180 degrees.

Although the Paloozians are suddenly off the main trail, they are able to check out some amazing rock formations.

The Paloozians decide to climb on top of one of the mighty slabs to get a higher view of the valley below.

Former college roommates Craig and Brad stop for a pic on top of the sandstone slab and discuss bygone “Orby” days.

The hightlight of hiking Valley of Fire is the amazing rock formations mixing aztec red sandstone and tan limestone.

It takes thousand of years for these formations to form and then erode to create this swirling effect.

Craig, Sean, Brad and Josh stand guard atop a sandstone outcropping in search of a local brewery for after the hike.

Several Paloozians gather for another touching group photo.

The boys take an iconic group photo before heading back to greet a new wave of young Paloozian arrivals.

The boys hike along the final stretch back to the car.

A rare look at one of Craig’s detailed Palooza agendas. This one was truly jammed with fun activities. But inexplicably did not include U2 opening up The Sphere (don’t even ask).

By Friday afternoon, the rest of the pledglings start arriving in Vegas. Here’s Ryan getting off to an inauspicious start to his Paloozian journey by taking a mid-term at Top Golf.

Soon the rest of the Paloozians would arrive, including Cade and Nick. Here’s the official start to the Palooza Youth era.

The Palooza Youth swing right into action and order some sort of water cooler sized jug of beer to help them golf.

The Palooza Youth in their first ever group photo from Top Golf. Later that night, everyone walks over to the highly exclusive Ellis Island Casino. Very classy place.

Saturday starts early, as the boys take a van out to the desert to ride some ATVs and generate a lot of dust.

As with all tour guides, this one is already on to us and likely calling for back-up to be on standby in case things go awry.

Josh and Ryan are ready to hop on their rigs and start tearing up the Mojave.

The boys are all lined up and ready to take off.

The Paloozians have to stay pretty close together on the trail but are still able to get some decent speed going. And for once, nobody manages to break their ATV this time.

Every so often, the Paloozians are asked to re-stack to ensure all 10 of us are still together.

The Paloozians take a break overlooking Vegas to get together for a group shot.

Ryan flashes a little drumstick as he hops back into his rig.

Ryan and Craig will be changing clothes as soon as they return to New York New York.

The boys take one final shot before heading back to Vegas.

Half of the Paloozians do some gambling at the casino, while the other half have appetizers and beers while Oregon plays Washington in a battle of undefeateds.

Later that day, the Paloozians make their way over to Caesars for dinner and a show. Here’s Josh eyeing some Gucci Beltbuckles on his way to dinner.

The boys start out with some Sardinian Lemon Drops—a specialty of the house. They taste way better than sardines.

They then proceed to mow through enough apps and pasta to keep them full until the following afternoon.

After dinner, the Paloozians make their way outside the casino to attend Absinthe, which is under a big top.

Absinthe is a lot like the Moulin Rouge—a mix of incredible stunts, beautiful people and raunchy comedy.

Symbolizing the magical effects of the naturally green liquor, absinthe, the green fairy flies high above the crowd.

This tatted up woman has a taste for 4 foot long swords.

While most of this madcap crew of exhibitionists is defying the laws of gravity, the master of ceremonies is defying the limits of good taste. Absolutely hilarious crowd work.

On the way back to their hotel, the boys spend a few minutes in a magic mushroom display the size of a football field.

After the boys get back at New York New York, most of them head to the casino to make their nightly donations.

Sunday morning meant it was time for NFL football. Here is the whole crew just outside Allegiant Stadium.

Sean and Josh do their best to look like Raiders fans/ganstas.

You’ll notice that Craig tries especially hard to never ever be pictured next to any Raiders logos.

Here’s the giant flame that serves as the centerpiece of the stadium. Of course, it features some BS quote from Al Davis about their intense “commitment” to winning. Ha!

The Paloozians walk around the stadium to check things out.

The Raiders have always and will always suck. But their stadium is pretty awesome. It feels pretty intimate and the glass wall facing the strip is an outstanding touch.

A close-up view of the flame, glass wall and the strip beyond.

The Raiderettes make their way onto the field for introductions. It’s game time!

Craig and Ryan are ready to see if their fantasy teams to hold on in the afternoon games as the Raiders and Patriots line up.

Brad and Bill find a couple of lunatic Raiders fans.

Gary and Nick are hamming it up as the game begins.

This year marks the end of Al’s streak of 26 straight Palooza. But this license plate proves he is there in spirit. It’s now down to just Sean and Craig who’ve been to all 27.

In a battle of two weak teams in the league, the Raiders hold on for a close win. This loss is probably the tipping point that leads to Bill Belichick’s firing a few months later.

As their Southwest flight to Orange County banks left over the epic Sphere, the Paloozians bid you farewell from Vegas.