'New king of Las Vegas' is celebrated with Strip parade

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Riding down the Las Vegas Strip in a pink low-rider with two showgirls at his side, Bruno Mars was declared the “new king of Las Vegas" on Friday.

The city honored Mars, who has become one of Sin City's iconic performers, with a parade and naming a street “Bruno Mars Drive." Officials declared Friday “Bruno Mars Day” for Mars, who is kicking off his global Romantic Tour in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.

“It’s such a privilege, and I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for giving me this today," Mars said to a large crowd on the Las Vegas Strip.

Mars joins a select few who have a Las Vegas street in their name — Elvis and Rat Pack singers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts International, said Mars has shown he has the “legacy and legs” to perform in Las Vegas years from now.

The singer has played on Las Vegas stages for more than 15 years, with over 140 shows during his residency between 2016 and 2025. Two years ago, he opened The Pinky Ring, a cocktail lounge and nightclub at the Bellagio.

“I love this city so much,” Mars said.

The singer pledged to donate $1 million to the Las Vegas Children’s Hospital, with MGM Grand, his partner, matching his donation. The celebration ended with a brief performance by him and his band “The Hooligans,” a taste of what fans can expect at Allegiant Stadium later that night.

“My dream was to always have a block party and get everybody dancing,” Mars told the crowd.

Hundreds of people waited for hours see to the performer in hot temperatures. Las Vegas resident Deedee Jenkins was pumped to see Mars and loves that he is joining the ranks of Sinatra and Elvis.

“But they’re old school. This is new blood, and I’m ready for it with my old self,” Jenkins said.

Bruno Mars performs for fans in Toshiba Plaza after a parade down the Las Vegas Strip Friday, April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, on "Bruno Mars Day." (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Bruno Mars, wearing cowboy hat, and his band The Hooligans perform for fans in Toshiba Plaza after a parade down the Las Vegas Strip Friday, April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, on "Bruno Mars Day." (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Bruno Mars Drive is shown at the Las Vegas Strip Friday, April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, on "Bruno Mars Day." (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Bruno Mars, center, rides in a parade on the Las Vegas Strip Friday, April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, on "Bruno Mars Day." (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Bruno Mars performs for fans in Toshiba Plaza after a parade down the Las Vegas Strip Friday, April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas, on "Bruno Mars Day." (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff McNeil had two hits in his return to Citi Field, including a run-scoring single in a three-run ninth inning that helped the Athletics beat the New York Mets 4-0 on Friday night as their pitchers extended a scoreless streak to 26 innings.

Mets starter Clay Holmes left after 5 1/3 innings with left hamstring tightness. New York has three runs and 20 hits during a three-game losing streak.

McNeil, traded to the A's in December after spending his first eight big league seasons with the Mets, received a warm ovation before his first at-bat and tipped the bill of his helmet twice. The 2022 NL batting champion doubled in the fourth and at second base robbed Carson Benge of a hit to end the fifth.

Shea Langeliers had an RBI single in the third off Holmes (2-1) and Denzel Clarke hit a two-run single in the ninth for the Athletics, who have pitched 25 straight scoreless innings against the Mets and Yankees dating to Tuesday night.

Jack Perkins (1-0), the third of five pitchers, allowed three hits over 2 1/3 innings in relief of J.T. Ginn, who gave up one hit over four innings in his first start this season.

With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home. Perkins then got Luis Robert Jr. to hit into a double play.

Holmes (2-1) allowed five hits.

Athletics LHP Jacob Lopez (0-1, 6.48 ERA) faces Mets RHP Kodai Senga (0-1, 3.09 ERA) on Saturday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, right, and Francisco Alvarez, left, encourae pitcher Tobias Myers (32) before he leaves during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after being thrown out at first base during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Athletics' Jeff McNeil (22) throws out New York Mets' Luis Robert Jr. at first base after forcing out New York Mets' Jared Young (29) for a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Athletics' Jeff McNeil (22) runs to first base for an RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Athletics' Jeff McNeil follows through on a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, April 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)