IS NATHAN BURTON INSANE?

I just received word from Emily Burton that our friend Nathan is is participating in a pretty insane fundraiser for the "Special Olympics" tomorrow.  Nathan will be rappelling down 52 stories of the Rio Hotel.  (Emily notes that she thinks that it must be on the back side so that he won't literally be walking down Penn and Teller's new building wrap).  You can make a donation to show your support HERE before going on to read the official event press release below:

 Special Olympics Fundraiser Invites Adventure-Seekers to Rappel 51 stories from Rio’s Masquerade Tower, VooDoo Lounge

LAS VEGAS, Thursday, September 2, 2010 — If you’re an adrenaline junkie and you’re looking for something new to do in Sin City, you might consider joining your friends and a few celebrities on the roof off the 51-story Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino next week and enjoying the views as you rappel more than 400 feet to the bottom.

More than 40 people are already registered and Las Vegas celebrities like Frank Mir (UFC fighter), Nathan Burton (Flamingo headliner) and Joe Sebok (professional poker player) will be on hand and will take the ‘leap’ as well.

The Rio is known for its signature purple and red glass and having one of the wildest nightspots in Las Vegas – the VooDoo Lounge. “Now it’s about to get a little wilder with Special Olympics’ inaugural Over the Edge event this year,” explained Maggie Schwarz, Regional Vice President of Special Olympics Nevada.  “This event is made for Las Vegas and we are so excited that Harrah’s Entertainment and the team at the Rio were visionary enough to make history with Special Olympics Nevada.”

The Rio in Las Vegas will host a fundraising rappelling event for Special Olympics Nevada on October 8. As many as 100 people will make their way down the northwest side of the building on two ropes. Those who climb down the hotel wall will be gathering pledges from donors leading up to the event.

“We’re excited about offering a new experience while raising much-needed funds for our athletes,” said Rick Collett, CEO and President of Special Olympics Nevada. “Our athletes have a lot of courage and take risks everyday when they try to do something thought to be impossible by most. Likewise, this event will take a lot of courage for anyone who decides to rappel 400 feet in the middle of Las Vegas.”

All participants must be in good health and weigh no less than 110 pounds and no more than 300 pounds and no experience is necessary. The rappelling will be supervised by Over the Edge, a Nova Scotia company that has organized dozens of rappelling events all over North America. 

Over the Edge for Special Olympics is a day-long event, which runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Rio.  Family, friends and spectators are invited to come down and support participants. All funds raised will go directly toward providing training opportunities, equipment, uniforms and practice venues for some 4,000 Special Olympics athletes in Nevada.  

Interested climbers may sign up online at www.OverTheEdgeLasVegas.com