Las Vegas – Fremont Street Experience, the legendary downtown Las Vegas entertainment destination, commemorated its 30th anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 14. The celebration included a special panel and festive holiday activities in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The evening marked 30 years since the unveiling of the pedestrian mall and The Canopy™, honoring Fremont Street Experience as the original immersive entertainment destination that helped define modern Las Vegas.
The milestone event featured a panel discussion moderated by KKLZ 96.3FM morning show host Shawn Tempesta, highlighting the visionaries behind the iconic attraction. Panelists included:
- Jan Jones Blackhurst, former Las Vegas mayor, is credited with spearheading the redevelopment that brought the Fremont Street Experience to life in 1995.
- Barry Shier, former chairman and CEO of Golden Nugget Las Vegas and a founding board member instrumental in the project’s design and development.
- Don Snyder, the first president and CEO of Fremont Street Experience (1992–1996), led strategic planning and collaboration to transform downtown into a pedestrian entertainment hub.
- Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, recognized for championing initiatives that support downtown, including a $1 million investment in the Neon City Festival.
- Jerry Turk was a key figure in bringing Fremont Street Experience to life in 1995.
- Will Baker, interim CEO and senior vice president of operations of Fremont Street Experience, is overseeing day-to-day operations and major capital projects.
- Dana Reynolds, vice president of marketing of Fremont Street Experience, is driving innovation and guest engagement for the destination.
The evening began with a Menorah lighting ceremony led by Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and the Rabbi of Chabad of Southern Nevada. Holiday entertainment and choir performances followed. Later, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony illuminated The Canopy™, ushering in the season’s festivities, led by Jessica Rosado, host of The Morning Blend on KTNV TV 13.
The night also marked the kickoff of Neon Nights Holiday Lights Village, located next to Fremont Hotel & Casino at 3rd Street, featuring dazzling light displays and a Santa meet-and-greet, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. Neon Nights Holiday Lights Village will be open from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. nightly until December 19.
Fremont Street Experience continues to serve as a cornerstone of downtown Las Vegas, blending history, innovation, and community spirit for millions of annual visitors.
For more information on Fremont Street Experience, visit https://vegasexperience.com/ .
Link to hi-res images: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/Scj4dkA78A courtesy Black Raven Films
Link to 30th anniversary year video montage: 2025-12-11 – FSE 30 Anniversary Video v9 on Vimeo
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About Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience is a vibrant entertainment district in historic downtown Las Vegas. The open-air promenade is a hub for entertainment, gaming, dining, and shopping. Fremont Street Experience offers more free live entertainment than anywhere else in Vegas, with performances on three stages every day of the year. Fremont Street Experience also features The Canopy™ LED screen. Spanning 1,375-feet in length and 90-feet in width, The Canopy™ LED screen is suspended 90-feet above the pedestrian mall. It dazzles visitors nightly with stunning visual shows synchronized to the music of headline artists like Katy Perry, Stone Temple Pilots, Imagine Dragons, and more. Additionally, Fremont Street Experience is home to SlotZilla, a thrilling attraction featuring an 850-foot Zipline and a 1,750-foot Zoomline. Riders launch from a 12-story slot-machine-themed platform and soar beneath The Canopy™ LED screen Fremont Street Experience offers direct pedestrian access to eight world-renowned casino hotels, over 70 restaurants, and numerous specialty retail kiosks, drawing more than 24 million visitors annually. For more information about Fremont Street Experience, please visit www.vegasexperience.com.
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