Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel & Casino Sign Relighting

DEBBIE REYNOLDS HOLLYWOOD HOTEL & CASINO SIGN TO BE RELIT AT THE NEON MUSEUM, OCT. 9

24-Foot-Long Fuchsia “Debbie” Sign to Shine for First Time in Nearly Three Decades Thanks to YESCO Conservation Fund, Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds Estate and Others

Public Invited to be a Part of Relighting Moment with Purchase of Admission Ticket

SEE THE RELIGHTING

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LAS VEGAS – The Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel & Casino “Debbie” sign will be officially relit at The Neon Museum Wednesday, Oct. 9. The stunning fuchsia 24-foot-long piece will be brought back to life for the first time in nearly three decades thanks to an application of the YESCO Conservation Fund as well as through Reynolds’ son, Todd Fisher, the Debbie Reynolds Estate and other generous donors.

“We are thrilled to see my mother’s hotel sign restored, relit and installed at its new home at The Neon Museum,” said Fisher. “In 1992 when the hotel was being designed, the YESCO sign company was engaged to light up the entire hotel with Hollywood themed signage. Immediately they focused on my mother’s iconic trademark signature. This sign is a wonderful part of my mother’s legacy here in Las Vegas. Now it will live on for future generations with other iconic Las Vegas signs to enjoy and understand their part of Las Vegas History. Thanks to YESCO and The Neon Museum for all you do towards this mission.”

Those who purchase admission tickets to The Neon Museum on Oct. 9 from 6 – 7 p.m. will get to witness the sign’s relighting at 6:45 p.m. The ticket includes a $10, non-refundable donation to the Museum’s sign conservation funds, which allows the nonprofit to continue conserving Las Vegas’ neon history for generations to come. Admission can be reserved here.

The project marks the first application of the YESCO Conservation Fund, which was made in honor of the Museum’s 10^th anniversary to maintain, repair and improve signs in the Museum’s collection. In addition to YESCO, the sign’s restoration includes donors Todd and Catherine Fisher, Friends of the Debbie Reynolds Estate, Jonathan James Haas and an anonymous donor.

Jeff Young, executive vice president of YESCO said, “Restoring and relighting the Debbie Reynolds sign is a deeply meaningful project for YESCO. Her contributions to the entertainment industry and her iconic presence in Las Vegas have left an indelible mark on the city, and this project exemplifies our commitment to conserving the rich history of Las Vegas through the YESCO Conservation Fund.”

Aaron Berger, executive director of The Neon Museum, said, “Debbie Reynolds was an internationally renowned entertainer of stage and screen. What is less known is that Las Vegas was home to her personally and professionally. She made a profound name for herself in Las Vegas continuously breaking barriers for women and performers. She was an esteemed businesswoman with her decades-long career, and a dedicated mother who always made her family a priority. The Neon Museum is extremely honored to tell Debbie’s story and can’t express enough gratitude to the donors who helped make this sign restoration possible.”

DEBBIE REYNOLDS IN LAS VEGAS

Reynolds was known for her longstanding Las Vegas legacy and legendary career as a multi-faceted entertainer. Spanning from singing, to dancing, to comedy and acting, Reynolds played pivotal roles in popular movies and television series throughout the 1940s and into the early 2000s. In 1962, she moved to Las Vegas with her two children Carrie and Todd Fisher and signed a first-of-its-kind million-dollar contract for a holiday season residency at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. She looked to Las Vegas to bring stability to her life – both personally and professionally – and established herself as one of the city’s most enduring personalities.

During her time in Las Vegas, she owned the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel / Casino / Movie Museum. After extensive renovations, it opened in 1993 at 305 Convention Center Drive, featuring Debbie’s Star Theater and its own Hollywood Museum. The museum showcased dozens of Hollywood artifacts that Debbie preserved from various Hollywood auctions, including costumes from various Hollywood classics including a pair of ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Debbie also performed in Las Vegas at the Desert Inn, South Point, Caesars Palace and more and her career in the city spanned from 1962 to 2014. YESCO sign designer Rudy Crisostomo took inspiration from Debbie’s signature to design the neon sign that adorned the hotel tower.

In 2023, Fisher collaborated with The Neon Museum to curate a months-long exhibition dedicated to her titled “The Persona, The Person: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas.” Located within Las Vegas’ City Hall, the exhibition honored the Las Vegas legacy with a showcase of her real-life gowns, movie costumes, shoes and more all from the Debbie Reynolds Estate collection which Fisher oversees. The display was part of The Neon Museum’s annual Duck Duck Shed – a citywide cultural, design and entertainment festival – that celebrates the allure of Las Vegas’ past and present with behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive exhibitions and thought-provoking discussions.

ABOUT THE NEON MUSEUM

The Neon Museum illuminates the cultural essence of Las Vegas by sharing iconic signage, diverse collections and stories that define its vibrant past, present and future. Its core values seek to create a sense of belonging for everyone; promote scholarship through its work and collaborations; offer fun engagement that reflects the spirit of Las Vegas; and demonstrate overall excellence.

Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2021, the highest national honor for museums in the United States. Situated on a 2.27-acre campus, the Museum features:

The Neon Boneyard: An outdoor exhibition space displaying historic signs no longer in use.
The North Gallery: Home to Brilliant! Jackpot, an immersive audiovisual experience that re-illuminates over 40 non-operational signs using advanced technology.
The Boulevard Gallery: A transitional space showcasing collection pieces.
The Visitors’ Center: Located in the iconic former La Concha Motel lobby designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams.
The Neon Boneyard Park: A green space where visitors can learn more of Las Vegas’ rich history.

The museum’s collection also includes 15 restored signs displayed as public art in downtown Las Vegas collectively known as The Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway Project and additional pieces on loan to non-profits and government entities. Its ongoing initiatives encompass public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation.

Recently, The Neon Museum announced plans for a relocation and expansion to the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. Updates will be shared soon.

For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.

ABOUT YESCO

YESCO specializes in the manufacture of custom electric signs, sign maintenance and out-of-home advertising. In addition, YESCO operates sign and lighting service repair stores throughout North America as well as a sign financing business. Thomas Young founded the company in Ogden, Utah, in 1920 after borrowing $300 from his father. YESCO began by offering wall painted advertisements, gold-leaf window lettering and coffin plates. Today, helmed by the third and fourth generations of the founder’s family, YESCO creates, services and maintains award-winning displays for some of the most prestigious brands. For more information, go to www.YESCO.com.