Vegas Vic

If the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign is the city's most iconic, then Vegas Vic has to come a close second. 

World famous neon cowboy Vegas Vic began his life in 1951, welcoming visitors to The Pioneer Club. He was (and still is) a sight to behold - in a big departure from the usual text-based neon signs, there was suddenly a giant 40-foot-tall neon cowboy on Fremont Street, waving whilst casually smoking a cigarette! He originally talked as well, cheerfully crying “howdy pardner” to passersby every 15 minutes.

Vegas Vic quickly became Las Vegas’ unofficial mascot, and to this day his image is reproduced all over the place.

Sadly, The Pioneer Club is long gone, and a souvenir store now stands on the site - but Vegas Vic is still in place, winking and waving more than 70 years later. He has fallen in and out of disrepair over the years but currently shines as bright as ever under The Fremont Street Experience canopy.

The Vegas Vic sign has a couple of imitators, most notably, his twin, River Rick in Laughlin Nevada, and his country cousin Wendover Wil, in Wendover Nevada. He also has a girlfriend, Vegas Vickie, who once presided over Glitter Gulch on the other side of Fremont Street. Actually - during the construction of The Fremont Street Experience in 1994 Vic and Vickie were officially married in an elaborate ceremony (oh Las Vegas - you never disappoint). Sadly, Vickie was removed in 2017 when Glitter Gulch was demolished, and she now lives inside the Circa resort and Cassino.

Vegas Vic has had a few costume changes over the years. He originally wore a white and yellow checkered shirt. In the 70’s his shirt was all yellow, and today he has a very snappy red and yellow checkered shirt. Sadly his 10-gallon hat now stands at around 9 gallons, as the top had to be shaved off when The Fremont Street Experience was built (rude!)

Vegas Vic is a glorious glowing reminder of the golden age of Las Vegas, and a must see when you’re in the bright light city.

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Southern Nevada No. 25 - last visited April 2024