THE NEON MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY WITH “NEON BLOCK PARTY,” OCTOBER 26
New STEAM Saturdays Event to Feature Hand-On Activities, Food Trucks, Scavenger Hunts and More for Kids
The Neon Museum will celebrate the Las Vegas community with its first-ever “Neon Block Party” on Saturday, October 26. As part of its STEAM Saturdays youth-focused initiative, the downtown Museum will host a morning full of immersive learning activities hosted by local organizations, artists and staff.
During the Neon Block Party, kids (and adults) can take part in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities with community organizations; enjoy offerings from local food trucks; listen to live entertainment; investigate the Neon Boneyard with a Museum Discovery Guide hunt and more from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Providing programs that offer demonstrations, hands-on learning and fun activities to promote creative and critical thinking in our youth is a key priority for The Neon Museum,” said Matt Borek, The Neon Museum’s Director of Lifelong Learning. “We are excited to introduce the Neon Block Party to the community and would like to thank our ten partners for their help in bringing this to life.”
Desert Research Institute, The Smith Center, Las Vegas Library District, Pride Tree, Atomic Museum, Natural History Museum, HELP of Southern Nevada, NVIGATE – Nevada State Treasurer, Rainbow Company Youth Theatre and Punk Rock Museum will have booths featuring a specific hands-on learning activity.
The day’s events include:
- STEAM Activities: STEAM Saturdays is an existing Museum program that offers fun and hands-on activities, presentations and demonstrations designed to promote creative and critical thinking in young children. Located within the Neon Boneyard, the Neon Block Party will feature activities like “Mini Neon” – a pipe cleaner demonstration that simulates how neon sign makers bend glass tubes into different patterns.
- Discovery Guides: Like a scavenger hunt, Neon Block Party guests will be tasked with a Discovery Guide, with answers found throughout the Neon Boneyard. Each guest can pick up a guide upon entering the event, and if it is returned completed, children will receive a prize like a book, toy, markers, stickers and more. Three versions of the Discovery Guide are created per month, with levels of difficulties ranging from beginner to advanced.
- Live Entertainment: Various local groups will perform throughout the morning, including a scene from Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, a musical performance from Pinecrest Academy – St. Rose Campus’s choir and more.
- Local Food Trucks: Las Vegas local food trucks will be available for guests to enjoy, including Grouchy John’s, who serves up a variety of coffee, smoothies, espresso, frappes and more.
Tickets for those ages seven and older are $5 online and $6 at the door. Children six years and under are free. For tickets, click here.
The Neon Museum is open daily and includes an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard that is filled with some of Las Vegas’ most iconic neon signs; the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant! Jackpot” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non- operational signs; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.
About The Neon Museum
Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. In 2021, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition bestowed to museums in the United States. On its 2.27-acre campus, The Neon Museum has an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard (“boneyard” is traditionally the name for an area where items no longer in use are stored); the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant!” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non-operational signs; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes 14 restored signs installed as public art in downtown Las Vegas. Public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation represent a selection of the museum’s ongoing projects. For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and Twitter and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.