entire project amid the Great Recession. A McDonald's opened on a portion of the Westward Ho land in December 2008, fronting the Las Vegas Strip. In 2012, the Las Vegas Sun included the Westward Ho on its list of "extinct casino brands we'd like to see return to the Strip," writing, "For a town still full of cowboys, we sure are short on Western themed casinos." Attractions In 1983, high gold-colored umbrella-shaped lights were installed at the front of the property, along with shorter umbrellas featuring green and orange awnings. The neon umbrella design was later copied by several other Las Vegas properties, including the Golden Gate Casino, the Las Vegas Club, and Bally's Las Vegas. Inside the casino, the prevalent color scheme was brown and green, emphasizing the brass and Dark Oak fixtures. A water fountain inside the casino poured water down a pyramid of champagne glasses. In the 1980s and early 1990s The Westward Ho had unique features for all guests such as the 24/7 free champagne cocktails and free bloody marys at a large fountain with a drink attendant. The casino was also known for its large "Mega Dog" hot dogs. While other casinos on the Strip featured table minimums at $5, $10, or $25 minimums, "The Ho" often had table minimums as low as $1, which made it popular with avid gamblers as well as locals. Performers In 1988, the "Hot Lava" dance show debuted at the Westward Ho. Local entertainer Robbie Howard, who did impressions of celebrities, performed in a show at the Westward Ho called Hurray America, which ran from 1993 to 1999. Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell performed a comedy show at the Westward Ho during 1996. In 2001, the Westward Ho featured The Doo Wop '50s, a musical show offered with a buffet dinner. Our Way, a Rat Pack tribute band, debuted at the Westward Ho in January 2003, as part of the casino's "Puttin' on the Ritz" show that was offered with a buffet dinner. As of 2004, "Hot Lava" was one of the longest-running productions in Las Vegas, and was part of the Ho-Waiian Luau Dinner and Show, which was one of four promotional events annually held by the hotel-casino during different times of the year; the other events were Puttin' on the Ritz, Fabulous '50s Doo-Wop Dinner and Show, and the country/western-themed Grubstake Jamboree Steak Barbeque and Show.