Step into the vibrant heart of Las Vegas and you'll be greeted by one of the most iconic symbols of Sin City: Vegas Vic. This towering neon cowboy has been a fixture on Fremont Street since 1951, embodying the spirit of the Wild West with a touch of neon magic. Standing 40 feet tall, this friendly cowboy waves his hand and once greeted visitors with a booming HOWDY, PARTNER! His presence is not just a nod to the past but a testament to the enduring charm of Las Vegas.
The story of Vegas Vic begins in 1947 when the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce sought a way to draw more visitors to the city. They commissioned a West-Marquis firm to create a welcoming image, and thus, the first depiction of Vegas Vic was born. His friendly demeanor and iconic greeting quickly became a hit, and in 1951, the owners of The Pioneer Club decided to bring him to life in neon form.
Pat Denner was tasked with designing the neon sign, taking inspiration from the original image used by the Chamber of Commerce. The result was a larger-than-life cowboy complete with a waving arm, a moving cigarette, and a pre-recorded HOWDY, PARTNER! greeting every 15 minutes, voiced by Maxwell Kelch, the then-President of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Vegas Vic was installed on the exterior of The Pioneer Club, replacing a simpler sign that featured a horse-drawn covered wagon.
Over the years, Vegas Vic has seen his fair share of changes and challenges. In 1966, actor Lee Marvin, while filming The Professionals and staying at the nearby Mint Hotel, complained about the loudness of Vic's greeting. As a result, the sign was silenced for nearly two decades. Although the speaking function was restored in the 1980s, it has not been operational since 2006. Additionally, Vic's waving arm ceased to move in 1991.
When the Fremont Street Experience canopy was constructed in 1994, several feet had to be trimmed off the brim of Vic's hat to fit under the new structure. Following the closure of The Pioneer Club in 1995, Vegas Vic fell into disrepair. The Neon Museum offered to restore and maintain the sign, but the building owner ultimately chose to undertake the restoration themselves. Despite these challenges, Vegas Vic has been repainted and refurbished multiple times, most recently in 2023, ensuring that he continues to shine brightly over Fremont Street.
Vegas Vic isn't just a sign; he's a symbol of Las Vegas' vibrant history and enduring allure. His red circle on his pocket represents a Durham Tobacco tag, a nod to the days when cowboys rolled their own cigarettes. Over the years, he has become an unofficial welcoming sign for the city, reproduced countless times and recognized worldwide.
Vegas Vic was the first of three neon cowboys to grace Nevada's casinos. He was followed by Wendover Will in 1952 at Stateline Casino and River Rick in 1981 at the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall in Laughlin. River Rick is essentially a twin of Vegas Vic, with a different color scheme.
In 1980, another neon sign was erected across Fremont Street, depicting a cowgirl named Vegas Vickie. She sat above the Girls of Glitter Gulch strip club, and in 1994, during the construction of the Fremont Street Experience, Vic and Vickie were married in a whimsical ceremony. Although Vegas Vickie was removed in 2017 for the demolition of the strip club, she has since been restored and now resides inside the Circa Resort & Casino, which opened in 2020.
Vegas Vic has made numerous appearances in popular culture, further cementing his status as an icon. He has been featured in movies like The Amazing Colossal Man and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, as well as TV shows such as The Simpsons and Dumb and Dumber. In the world of video games, a character named Victor in Fallout: New Vegas is based on Vegas Vic, greeting players with a familiar Howdy, partner!
In conclusion, Vegas Vic is more than just a neon sign; he's a beloved symbol of Las Vegas' rich history and vibrant culture. His friendly wave and iconic greeting continue to welcome visitors to Fremont Street, reminding them of the city's storied past and its enduring charm. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Vegas veteran, a visit to Fremont Street to see Vegas Vic is a must-do experience that captures the essence of this dazzling city.
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