Memories at The Mirage
Why was the removal of a sign so emotional for us? When the sun set Wednesday, a crowd gathered outside The Mirage. They weren’t there for the volcano show. It…
LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 14: World-renowned illusionists and conservationists Siegfried (L) & Roy (R) pose with singer Michael Jackson (M) and Apollo, a rare white siberian tiger backstage at The Mirage on August 6, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
Why was the removal of a sign so emotional for us? When the sun set Wednesday, a crowd gathered outside The Mirage. They weren't there for the volcano show. It was time to bid farewell. After welcoming employees and dreamers for decades, The Mirage entrance sign was loaded on to a flatbed truck for its journey to a new home at the Neon Museum. But why was it so emotional for us?
The memories run deep. For a former cocktail waitress at The Mirage, it was a tangible memory of her younger days. For one couple, it was where the big question was popped. For tourists from around the world, it was an iconic landmark that welcomed them for an escape from a mundane life back home. There would be wins and losses, dreams realized and crushed. There are millions of memories, from visits by members of the Beatles to big boxing matches to the spectacle of the white lions and tigers at Siegfried & Roy performances. When the truck pulled away, the crowd that gathered broke out in a soft applause.
The Mirage opened in November of 1989. The bold, bright sign remained a constant over the years as the hotel's ownership and management changed hands. It lit up the strip but fell into the landscape as props like an Eiffel Tower and a pyramid wow'd visitors.
This past weekend, Vegas Vacation was showing on one of the hundreds of cable channels. It's one of those movies that I'll watch anytime it's on, no matter how many times I see it. The scenes filmed at The Mirage are particularly memorable. The hilarious check in to the hotel, Wayne Newton's cameos, and Cousin Eddie going swimming with the dolphins.
For those who live in Las Vegas, it's a reminder of time's endless march. We've seen so many changes to the Strip over the years. Another era has passed and a new one is about to begin. The beat goes on. The Mirage will become the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Mike Tyson vs Donovan Ruddock
Boxer Mike Tyson from the United States walks to a neutral corner as Donovan Ruddock lays on the canvas as referee Richard Steele starts the count in the 6th round of their Heavyweight bout on 18th March 1991 at the Mirage Casino in Paradise, Nevada, United States. Mike Tyson won the fight by Technical Knockout in the 7th Round. (Photo by Ken Levine/Allsport/Getty Images)
Siegfried And Roy Debut New Tiger Cubs
LAS VEGAS - JUNE 12: Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn appear with 6-week-old tiger cubs June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Roberto Duran
Roberto Duran weighs in prior to his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"The Beatles LOVE By Cirque Du Soleil" First Anniversary Celebration
LAS VEGAS - JUNE 26: (L-R) Sir Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Ringo Starr pose during a commemorative plaque dedication ceremony for John Lennon and George Harrison as part of the first anniversary celebration of "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino June 26, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage Hotel & Casino Closes In Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: The volcano attraction in front of The Mirage Hotel & Casino erupts on July 16, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hard Rock International (HRI) will close the resort on July 17, 2024, to begin a construction project to transform the property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas by 2027. HRI purchased the resort, which opened in 1999 for USD 630 million as the first megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip, from MGM Resorts International in 2021 for USD 1.075 billion in cash. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mirage 20th Anniversary Concert With Slash And Friends
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Singer Courtney Love performs during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary early on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
American Idol Contestants Visit LOVE
LAS VEGAS - MAY 03: "American Idol" contestants (L-R) David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado, pose with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at The Mirage Hotel & Casino May 3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contestants were at the resort to see "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil)
Quentin Tarantino And Fergie Celebrate Birthdays At Revolution
LAS VEGAS - MARCH 28: Director/writer Quentin Tarantino (L) and actress Daryl Hannah applaud after watching Cirque du Soleil performers at a dual birthday party for Tarantino and singer Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson at The Beatles Revolution Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino early March 28, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tarantino and Fergie share a birthday of March 27. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Mirage)
Siegfried & Roy's Las Vegas Walk Of Stars Ceremony
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Roy Horn (L) and Siegfried Fischbacher of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy are driven outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during their Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn's 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
B.B. King In Concert At B.B. King's Blues Club At The Mirage
LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 16: Recording artist B.B. King performs at his B.B. King's Blues Club at The Mirage Hotel & Casino August 16, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mirage 20th Anniversary Concert With Slash And Friends
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Singer Nicole Scherzinger performs during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary early on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mirage 20th Anniversary Concert With Slash And Friends
LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Singer Nicole Scherzinger (L) and guitarist Slash perform during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary early on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage Debuts New Volcano Attraction On The Las Vegas Strip
LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 11: The newly-redesigned volcano attraction in front of The Mirage Hotel & Casino erupts December 11, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The $25-million renovation features 150 choreographed FireShooters sending fireballs more than 12 feet in the air and a custom soundtrack created by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Mirage)
Las Vegas Casinos Close Their Doors In Response To Coronavirus Pandemic
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 19: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was shot with a fisheye lens.) The marquee and most of the exterior building lights at The Mirage Hotel & Casino are turned off as parts of the Las Vegas Strip go dark as a result of the statewide shutdown due to the coronavirus continuing to spread across the United States on March 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Tuesday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced a statewide closure of all nonessential businesses, including all hotel-casinos on the Strip, for at least 30 days to help combat the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11th. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage Hotel & Casino Closes In Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: An exterior view shows The Mirage Hotel & Casino on July 16, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hard Rock International (HRI) will close the resort on July 17, 2024, to begin a construction project to transform the property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas by 2027. HRI purchased the resort, which opened in 1999 for USD 630 million as the first megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip, from MGM Resorts International in 2021 for USD 1.075 billion in cash. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Siegfried & Roy Pose With Darren Romeo
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 14: World-renowned illusionists and conservationists Siegfried (L) & Roy (R) pose with singer Michael Jackson (M) and Apollo, a rare white siberian tiger backstage at The Mirage on August 6, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
