Pool season kicks off with celebs, sun and Snoop

It’s been a long, cold and financially uncertain winter, but the summer pool party season arrived in Las Vegas this weekend and made quite the splash.

There was no sign of recession as sunbathers and celebrities packed the city’s hottest “daylife” destinations. In fact, people were shelling out $150 apiece on Sunday morning just for the chance to hop the massive line that formed at the Hard Rock as Rehab’s opening day got underway.

Once inside, revelers eagerly sucked down $23 margaritas in over-sized plastic sippy cups and rounds of $10 shots of Patron as an uninhibited, spring break-style party ensued.

Before that, however, both Tao Beach and Wet Republic officially opened their pool party season on Saturday.

Lauren Conrad of The Hills served as the marquee hostess at Wet Republic’s kick-off party, while Mandy Moore ushered in the season at Tao Beach.

Conrad wore a flowing pink-hued hombre dress to the opening at the MGM Grand.

“I don’t feel like you can go wrong in Vegas,” she said.

The young beauty greeted fans and posed for photos before retreating to her VIP cabana where she and her friends hung out, danced and played Wii.

Further north on The Strip, Moore wore a colorful full-length Diane Von Furstenberg dress to opening day ’09 at Tao Beach. She completed the ensemble with Vanessa Bruno shoes and a Jimmy Choo clutch.

Moore was just one of the celebrities taking in the scene at the Venetian Saturday afternoon.

Owen Wilson was also there, along with his brother, Andrew, and a few friends. Earlier in the day, they were also spotted having lunch at Dos Caminos.

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush also put in an appearance at the pool, minus main squeeze Kim Kardashian. His girlfriend’s stepbrother, Brody Jenner, joined him, along with his current flame, Playboy model Jayde Nicole, and rapper Lil Jon.

Meanwhile, new mom Angie Harmon lounged poolside while her husband, Jason Sehorn, hit the links.

Dancing With the Stars alum Karina Smirnoff also hung out in one of Tao Beach’s cabanas on Saturday, as did Krysten Ritter of Confessions of a Shopaholic and boyfriend Scott Culver.

On Sunday hundreds of already tanned and tattooed members of the Ed Hardy set flocked to Rehab where the city’s most notorious Sunday afternoon pool party opened its doors and embraced summer with open arms.

After several hours of fun in the sun, the crowd was sufficiently primed for a performance by Snoop Dogg.

The rapper took to the stage just before 5 p.m. and treated partiers to a handful of songs, including “Gin and Juice” and “Sensual Seduction.”

The rapper also covered Cypress Hill’s “Jump Around,” and sampled Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” during the 30-minute set.

Among those taking in the Doggfather’s set was Brody Jenner. He and a small group of male friends and took in the performance from the side of the stage.

The pool party circuit appears poised to stay hot as the mercury continues to rise and summer approaches.

Looking ahead, Sports Illustrated cover model Marisa Miller will be at Bare at the Mirage on Friday. Bare’s season opener will take place that Sunday with a still-to-be-announced special guest DJ performance. Also on April 26, Carmen Electra will be at Wet Republic.

The following weekend, the 2008 cast of Playboy Playmates will be at the Palms Pool and Bungalows as the 2009 season of Ditch Fridays gets underway on May 1, and Audrina Partridge of The Hills will be at Sapphire Pool the following evening to host a grand opening party benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Those wanting to catch some Euro-style rays at the Rio need not wait, however: Sapphire Pool quietly opened for the season on April 3.

In other pool party-related news, M Resort’s 21-plus pool, Daydream, opened for business earlier this month. Though it boasted no official celebrity endorsements, the oasis on the South Strip is quickly becoming the destination for a budget-friendly and low-key locals getaway.