Talking With Fremont Street’s Costumed Characters

I go out of my 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.”

Flash forward ten 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. On 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 a 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 on that trip 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.

I found the task was getting 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 dollars? Would they toss money 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. Well I don’t get royalties; so he won’t be getting them either.

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

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

I was on the lookout for some of the “regulars” that I have become accustomed to seeing over the years. Where was 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 tourists in costumes.

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]