This Roadside Attraction In Nevada Is The Most Unique Thing You’ve Ever Seen
Who doesn’t remember those road trips as a kid when mom or dad insisted on making a stop “on the way” to check out some unique roadside attraction? Well, this trend continues as millions of children are now subjected to this same time-honored “tradition.” If you find yourself traveling through Nevada, you absolutely MUST stop and take a look at the Flaming Praying Mantis in—where else?—Las Vegas. This roadside attraction is definitely unique. Oh, and don’t forget your camera.
The famous Flaming Praying Mantis is located in Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas, on the corner of Fremont and S. 7th Streets.
Downtown Container Park is so named because this unique, sustainable, outdoors shopping center is constructed entirely from stacked shipping containers and other recycled materials.
The park contains a variety of boutiques, eateries, and galleries, as well as a children's playground, tree house, and 30-foot water slide. There is even a wedding chapel that was added in 2016. Nightly concerts and other entertainment is provided at the amphitheater. But the star of the show is the unique and rather large metal, flame-shooting, praying mantis.
The huge mantis is constructed from recycled metal. If that's not strange enough, how about the fact that it randomly shoots flames out of its antennae at night, particularly when crowds are nearby.
The 40-foot long mantis was designed and built by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum. It is 150 times the size of the real insect and burns about 50 gallons of propane nightly. Flames can reach as high as six stories. If you want a unique roadside attraction, this is definitely the place to be.
The mantis was originally part of the famous Burning Man festival and was recycled and moved to Downtown Container Park to entertain (and probably terrify some) everyone who comes to see him. The mantis shoots fire multiple times each night.
Container Park is located at 707 Fremont Street in Las Vegas’ historic downtown district. Admission is always free; however, pets are not allowed. Have you seen the giant Flaming Praying Mantis? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
