luck
noun \ˈlək\
- : success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions
St. Patrick’s Day is drawing nigh, and talk of luck, leprechauns, and pots of gold abound. Luck (both good and bad) is also commonly associated with Las Vegas, and of the millions of people who visited Las Vegas last year, those who spent time in the casinos were most likely hoping that luck would be on their side so that they could leave town with their own pot of gold. Many bring their own lucky charms with them when they visit, but if you don’t have your own or happen to forget it at home there are a few places in town you can visit that will reportedly bring good luck your way.
Photo courtesy of blog.vegas.com
The Blarney Stone in Ireland is reported to bestow the gift of gab to those who kiss it, but Las Vegas has its own version. At the D in downtown Las Vegas (formerly known as Fitzgerald’s) you will find a piece of the Blarney Castle, which has reportedly brought good luck to those who give it a kiss, or if you’re more germ-conscious, a rub.
The Crazy Girls show at the Riviera is a topless revue, but it’s best known for a racy ad campaign with the slogan, “No ifs, ands, or …,” accompanied by a picture of a row of showgirls showing their bare derrieres. The ads were so popular that the Riviera erected a bronze statue of the lovely ladies at the front entrance to the casino, and for years hence those shapely buttocks have been polished to a glowing shine by the large numbers of tourists that rub them for good luck. Many other statues around town are also believed to bestow good luck when given a rub, but the highest concentration of them are found at Caesars Palace, including the Caesar Augustus statue at the entrance (hand), the Joe Louis statue outside of chef Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill (boxing glove), the Cleopatra statue at Cleopatra’s Barge (bosom) and the replica of Michelangelo’s David located within the Appian Way (big toe).
Photo courtesy of vegas.com
If your lucky charms don’t seem to be working, you can always make a wish for good luck, and what better place to do so than the famous Fountains of Bellagio? So many people make wishes into this man-made lake with its famous “dancing fountains” that the Bellagio collects thousands of dollars in coins each month, which are then donated to charity. While you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to take in one of the amazing water shows. Other popular fountains/water shows include the volcano at the Mirage, the indoor rainstorm at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the animatronic fountains of the Forum Shops as well as the famous main fountain at Caesars Palace, and various water features at CityCenter (namely at Aria and Crystals).
Whether you stick to the Convention Center or take your chances in the casinos, may your trip to Las Vegas for ALA Annual 2014 bring you nothing but good luck!
For more information:
Fight Friday the 13th with these lucky charms in Las Vegas- http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/sep/13/friday-13th-thirteenth-las-vegas-lucky-places-char/
Kiss the Blarney Stone and get lucky at the D- http://blog.vegas.com/las-vegas-hotels/kiss-the-blarney-stone-and-get-lucky-at-the-d-29154/
Crazy Girls at the Riviera- http://www.rivierahotel.com/las-vegas-entertainment/crazy-girls.aspx
Caesars Palace- http://www.caesarspalace.com/
Fountains of Bellagio- https://www.bellagio.com/attractions/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx
Volcano at the Mirage- http://www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx
Indoor Rainstorm (Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood) – http://www.miraclemileshopslv.com/entertain.php?id=19&row=4
CityCenter Las Vegas- http://www.citycenter.com/
That’s Aquatainment! -http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/mar/17/how-wets-water-features-give-gravitas-vegas-strip/
Submitted by Jennifer Jost, YALSA Local Arrangements Committee