The Fremont Street Light Show in Las Vegas is a feast for the senses and a technological masterpiece. Over 22 million people visit the city each year to experience the sight. It’s composed of more than 12.5 million LED lights creating high-resolution images set to concert-quality sound of famous musicians. Best of all, the light and sound show is absolutely free.
The extraordinary, hour-long displays run throughout the evening in June, July and August across seven blocks. The event is a cooperative effort by hotel and casino owners. Construction for the extravaganza began with a $70 million budget in 1994 and was completed in 1995, but the location of the festivities has a much older history. The original concept for the event was a sky parade that eventually evolved into its current incarnation.
When Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, Fremont Street was the community’s first paved road. It’s only fitting that the light show would be designed around the historic street. In addition to the millions of lights, the event also has the largest video screen in the world measuring 1,500 long and 90 feet wide that are suspended above the mall below.
It’s an engineering feat of epic proportions and the Freemont Street Light Show is also home to the SlotZilla zip line. The original show utilized light bulbs that could display a full-color spectrum all housed under canopy constructed overhead.
In 2004, the expensive and traditional incandescent light bulbs were converted to LEDs that are less expensive to operate, more eco-friendly, and enabled an expanded range of color combinations. The LED lights provided a display that’s seven times brighter and more vibrant. The show is still held under a permanently constructed canopy, providing an immersive experience.
The Fremont Street Light Show required innovative technology to make images appear real, the syncing of music, and coordination of individual lights. It’s now all tied into a central control unit that enables pinpoint accuracy. The technology and innovative techniques behind the massive display are impressive and a testament to the creativity of professional lighting experts. For people around the globe, it’s become one of the essential must-see wonders of Las Vegas.
Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.
Phone: 561-368-0101
Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com
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