The day I got into Las Vegas, I was driving along the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, my belly nice and content with breakfast, aiming my car toward the Paris Hotel.
As I passed the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign they refurbished a few years back, I saw a very familiar character standing around and interacting with the tourists.
It was Big Bird from Sesame Street. In full-feather regalia, long neck and crossed eyes beckoning.
What the … I thought. It was already 90+ degrees in the hot sun and whoever was in the suit must be roasting. Too much torturous work for a few bucks.
So I turned around and parked, wanting a picture of this. He had a donation can nearby that had quite a few bucks in it, so apparently the tourists either (1) really wanted a picture with Big Bird, or (2) really pitied the person inside. I was part of the second group, and tossed a dollar in the can.
As it turns out, he wasn’t the only kiddy character in town. The Vegas Strip will filled with those costumed characters – Donald Duck, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Homer Simpson, SpongeBob SquarePants … you name it, you saw it.
Apparently, the courts have struck down the city's blacklisting of certain characters, prompting new rules that allowed them, as long as they kept away from doors, ATMs, crosswalks and outdoor cafes.
So … they’ve flourished. And they intermingle with the Hispanic porn-card slappers on the Strip.
More power to ‘em, I say.
Yep, more power to them!
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