LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Neon Museum lit the Mirage Lagoon sign with the original architects in attendance, along with former employees who helped bring the property to life.
The Mirage helped usher in the modern mega-resort era on the Las Vegas Strip. That era came to an end in 2024. The sign from the Mirage volcano is now at the Neon Museum.
“The Mirage has a special part in a lot of people’s hearts,” said Aaron Berger the Executive Director and CEO of the Neon Museum. “So, we want to make sure that those pieces are out and have an opportunity for people to connect to them.”
Berger said they have been preparing the sign for installation for more than a year, working to conserve it the same way they preserve the rest of their historic signs so it can withstand the test of time.
“We make sure that it’s safe,” sad Berger. “This has been on display for almost 30 years. So, we want to make sure that it is ready for installation.”
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Building the volcano
Engineers said the work behind the Mirage was unlike anything Las Vegas had seen before, all under Steve Wynn’s vision to create something unique. Jon Sparer, Andrew Kreft, Brett Ewing and Desmond Stevens were all recognized for their dedication to the hotels design.
“The Mirage was the first hotel that had opened in 15 years here,” said Desmond Stevens the President of STO Design Group. “So, it was a big, big deal. And, with that volcano out front, it was ever bigger.”
The volcano’s scent became part of the story. It was originally supposed to smell like rotten eggs, the more authentic volcanic smell. But Wynn wanted something more inviting, so the scent was altered to smell like a piña colada.
That same scent filled the air during the sign lighting.
“The challenge was, really, to answer the question, how do you build a volcano?” Stevens said. “Nobody in the design matrix really knew it. It was a very innovative and imaginative idea.”
The Neon Museum said that although they keep running out of space, they find room to store more neon signs. They are expecting two more in the near future.
The Neon Museum is collecting memories and memorabilia that people may have from their times staying at the Mirage and are raising money to help continue their conservation efforts.
The Mirage Lagoon sign and Volcano FireShooter was donated by The Mirage and Hard Rock International. You can donate to the Sign Conservation Fund here if you are interested.
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