Costumed Characters
Downtown Experiences

Posing and Talking With Fremont Street’s Costumed Characters

Blonde4ever

Blonde4ever goes out of her comfort zone: posing with Costumed Characters on Fremont.

The year was 2008. My son and I were wandering Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas and were startled to come across a lovely young woman in front of Golden Gate dressed like a Vegas showgirl. “Well, there is something you don’t see every day!” we said to each other. “Let’s go get our picture taken with her.”

Costumed Characters

Flash forward eight years later, and that incident seems laughable. I visit Vegas twice a year, and with every passing year, I have seen the number of street characters grow.
In fact, the numbers grew so much that the City of Las Vegas had to institute a system of 38 “performance circles” in 2015 to try and keep the situation under control and make sure Fremont Street stayed visitor friendly.

Somewhere along the line some of the characters realized that shedding their clothes brought the most shock value and therefore the most tips because people who used to be clothed are not anymore.

I am undecided about how I feel about them. One the one hand they certainly add colour and flavour to Fremont Street. On the other hand, they can make some people so uncomfortable that they vow never to return to Downtown Vegas.

My method for dealing with these people up to now has been to avert my eyes and walk rapidly in the other direction. If I do look at them, it is only from a safe distance. On my recent trip, I decided to challenge myself to do something different; something outside of my comfort zone. I resolved that I was going to approach these people, talk to them, and have my picture taken with them. My roommate, Kodidog, agreed to be my trusty photographer for this mission. I approached this task with much trepidation, but I was determined to accomplish it and filled my purse with one dollar bills as we headed out for the evening.

The first performer I approached was a diminutive Marilyn Monroe. She didn’t look too scary. She was a beautiful lady, and I asked how she came to be doing this. She replied that she was just between her “Marilyn gigs” and did this to earn some extra cash. I handed every performer my card and asked if they had any interest in sharing their “stories” to email me. One character down, and many more to go.

Costumed Characters

I found this task was getting easier and easier with every character I approached. They were all, without exception, friendly and nice; that could have something to do with the fact that I always approached them with money in my hand. Another issue I was concerned about was “What is the correct amount to tip? Did it have to be as much as five? Would they toss dollar bills back at me if I only gave three? What was the correct etiquette?” As it turned out they did not stand there and examine my tip, they just took my proffered dollars and posed and smiled.

We continued down Fremont Street, and I finally came to the real challenge: walking up to people in various states of undress. This is not something I do in my normal, everyday life. Everyone I approach at home is fully clothed, thank goodness.

“I can do this!” I told myself, “But I won’t look down!” The “Cowboy” was the first person I approached who was semi-naked. When I asked if he had any desire to tell his story, he said his life could be a movie, but he would only discuss it if he got royalties. I don’t get royalties; so he won’t be getting them either.

Costumed Characters

I worked my way down the street. The silver dude insisted I hold his arm and yes, that silver body paint does rub off!

Costumed Characters

I find the KISS guys particularly intimidating, but they were very pleasant to talk to.

Costumed Characters

I was on the lookout for some of the “regulars” that I have become accustomed to seeing over the years. Where was Cupid? Or the Pirate lady and Johnny Depp? Or Grandpa in a Thong? Since I was visiting for several nights over Halloween weekend, it was sometimes hard to tell who the characters were and who were just tourists in costumes.

Click an image to open the gallery below.

The end result of this experiment surprised me; I was having fun! I enjoyed it! These characters weren’t scary at all! Even my photographer was enjoying herself. I may even do this again next time! So consider this a public service, if you have wanted to have your picture taken with some of these performers but were too timid like me, go ahead and do it. They don’t bite. I promise.

[Photos: Kodidog, Blonde4ever]

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31 thoughts on “Posing and Talking With Fremont Street’s Costumed Characters”

  1. whew, things you can’t unsee….
    Several years ago I saw a Robert Deniro that was absolutely a spot on match. I had to talk to him and look him straight in the face to confirm it wasn’t the real deal. Fun times that Freemont Street, fun times.

  2. So glad you enjoyed yourself! I’m sure these ‘entertainers’ are generally pleasant people just trying to make a little money. Like yourself, I have been going to a Vegas for years and seen the steady growth of street entertainers. I do feel that some of them have no entertainment value swhatsoever; I can’t see the value of a scruffy man holding a sign above his head proclaiming ‘f**k you’, for instance, yet the guy who arrives most evening playing the sax is fantastic fun, well worth a few dollars. I do think something needs to be done to remove the scroungers, the ‘professional beggars’ who I think bring the rest down.

    2. Note that “the guy playing sax”, like the bands on the various stages, are paid entertainers hired by the Fremont Street Experience. How can you be sure? When he’s playing, look up. A portion of the ViviVision canopy is devoted to him.

  4. So I’m guessing that meeting characters on the High Roller while they jumped up and down would REALLY be outside your comfort zone!

  5. the guy that dresses as Pee-Wee Herman is awesome. he is one of the few that I feel compelled to tip. I think he hangs out on the strip more than Fremont street.

      1. What era De Niro is it? Taxi Driver? Goodfellas? Late era bad comedies De Niro? ANything before Meet The Parents would be worth it!

  6. Pee Wee was there last week on his bicycle, he is a look alike but I didn’t chat with him! I should have taken his picture but didn’t :-( Blonde I had my first stay at the Queens, it was very good! Had a room with a walk in shower which I really like!

  7. As much as these people help perpetuate the “Freak Show” nature of Fremont Street, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although, like you, I can’t bring myself to approach any of them. And I can see why some people are so bothered by them that they avoid Fremont altogether. But is the sidewalk on the strip any better? Nope.

    But how much to tip? Is $2 too cheap? Dunno. Figure they get at least one tip of at least $2 every 10 minutes. That’s a minimum of $12 per hour. In cash (if you know what I mean).

  8. I first met “The Cowboy” in 2014, very pleasant chap! However, he has let himself go a bit since then :P

    Last time there was a chap in a baby binnet and diaper… it just looked sick to me.

  10. Love the article. I personally prefer Fremont Street from dawn to dusk. After sundown the buskers are overwhelming to me, along with the sheer number of people. About 5 years ago on a trip I had a great conversation with a guy that was bald that was covered in silver. Since then I haven’t spoke with any other buskers and have avoided them. I haven’t seen him around in quite some time. Your account of them makes me want to do the same quest and see how many photos we can get.
    On a side note. My moral compass has never allowed me to consider the services of a lady of the night, but chatting with them about their lifestyle is an interesting moment. Maybe that would make a good article, not from you but someone else?

    2. I have one or two stories about ‘ladies of the night’ which I wouldn’t mind sharing, true experiences, if anyone would be interested!

  12. Enjoyed reading your article Bonnie. I wonder how much the average busker makes a day. I often joke with my wife and tell her I’m taking my guitar and heading to Vegas to play on the street corner. What a great way to practice and make money at the same time.

  13. Nice piece. I would love to know more about these people. I know there have been a few documentaries made and I found them fascinating – I even did some work on one of them. I hope you do an article based on your interviews.

    1. I couldn’t get a whole lot of info out of them there on the street where they were just interested in the next picture. That is why I gave them my card . i was hoping someone would want to chat. No takers so far.

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