The iconic Dunes Hotel and Casino sign, a luminous relic of Las Vegas' storied past, is set to flicker back to life after a meticulous five-month restoration. Plans from the Neon Museum indicate a public lighting ceremony on September 26 will illuminate the night sky once more with this piece of Sin City history. The sign, which has been under the museum's care since 2002, underwent repair including a fix for a substantial crack on its face and the reintroduction of historically accurate bulbs to recreate its original animated display, as reported by News3LV.
Long regarded as a beacon of the transformation of Las Vegas into a destination suffused with entertainment, the Dunes was established back in 1955 before its implosion nearly four decades later in 1993, and the museum’s executive director Aaron Berger, in a statement obtained by News3LV, proclaimed that "The Dunes sign represents a time when the city was rapidly reinventing itself through spectacle and imagination. To see this rare sign glow again is to feel the energy of that era come alive." It's positioned not just as a token of Las Vegas's journey but a stitch in the fabric of America's culture, and the museum, in collaboration with Hartlauer Signs, has ensured its legacy continues to shine bright amidst the glow of the new giants that now pepper the Strip.
Roger Thomas, the venerated interior designer, played a pivotal role in the sign’s revival, honoring esteemed Las Vegas investors Joyce and Jerry Mack and Peggy and Parry Thomas with his support. The lighting event, as mentioned on the official museum's invitation page, is not just a simple flip of a switch but a ceremony punctuated with a champagne toast courtesy of benefactors Amy and Tim Hunter, symbolizing a celebration of Las Vegas's rich past as it winks at visitors from its illustrious, Neon-soaked cradle.
As the last guardian of the Dunes’ legacy, the sign is more than a reminder of Las Vegas history—it’s a piece of art, preservation, and storytelling. Visitors to the Neon Boneyard on the special evening can expect to step back in time, as the restored sign brings to life the spirit of old Vegas.
