While opinions on the Fremont Street revival are as polarized as possible, nearly everyone seems to have their take one way or another. You don’t have to try hard to hear an old-timer vent about how much better downtown Vegas was “back in the day.”
Others, however, prefer the revitalized downtown area, which provides several non-gaming options for people, which include a wide range of restaurants, cocktail bars, and Slotzilla, the multi-story structure which allows people to zipline on Fremont Street.
Something which has become almost synonymous in recent years with Fremont Street is the performers and impersonators lining the street. From the “Pirates on Fremont Street,” to the Jack Nicholson impersonator, to the overweight, middle-aged Cupids who wear outfits which leave little to the imagination, flocks of tourists rush to get their picture taken with them.
Tourists then usually tip the performers, providing for a nice little source of income. However, a bill has been introduced by councilmen Ricki Barlow and Bob Coffin which will limit where and when the performers can work. The bill, if passed, would limit performers between 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and would also introduce 38 six-foot circles for them to stay in. The performers would also have to rotate every two hours, stay at least 40 feet away from other performers, and 100 feet away from stages while concerts are going on.
When asked for a show of hands, not a single performer supported the limit. However, most performers had no problem supporting a provision in the bill which requires performers to register. The city would not perform background checks on the performers and will not charge them to register.
The bill is scheduled for City Council consideration on September 2.
