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Part of our casino bouquet collection
The circus. A place of spectacle, amusement, and illusion. But despite its jovial appearance, circus-based stories often carry a tinge of sadness. Take Dumbo for example, or The Greatest Showman. Both have plots that speak of struggle and being cast out by others before finally realizing success. And let’s not forget the ever-present “sad clown” act.
And the story of Circus Circus, Las Vegas follows the same script.
The Strip’s ever-present big top has walked a fine tightrope between being the city’s flashiest venue adored by thousands and being a Vegas skyline eyesore written off as a flop. But with more than 55 years of history to its name, this casino’s daringness to be somewhat of a sideshow compared to other casino resorts proves it’s got the muscle to be a worthy ringmaster on the Las Vegas gaming scene.
The Clownin’ Around arrangement
Part of the Gaia Flowers Casino Bouquet Collection
About the bouquet
Brightly colored blooms, clown-style daisies, and tiered styling capture the spectacle, playfulness, and high drama of the casino’s circus shows.
The bouquet includes:
- yellow and orange roses
- large, bold, pink gerbera daisies
- pastel pink snapdragons
- lilac delphiniums
- dyed orange pom pom ‘juggling’ balls.
Ready to dazzle and delight, Clownin’ Around is presented in an iridescent rainbow vase so it’s primed for showtime the moment it’s delivered.
The story of Circus Circus
Every great circus needs a strong leader. And in this story there are 2 of them.
Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin were property and casino developers who conquered the idea of luxury gaming with their exquisite Ceasar’s Palace. Their next joint venture was to be something completely different, and they wanted to bring something to the Las Vegas Strip that had never been tried before.
They wanted to create Vegas’ first family-friendly casino.
Many (including Mallin) questioned whether blending gambling with family time was a good idea. Would it really be profitable? Sarno believed so, and convinced his business partner to get on board with his vision of a permanent circus.
The ground floor would be filled with gaming tables and slot machines, while upstairs would feature a fully furnished midway for the kids. Overhead, high-wire and trapeze artists would perform routines. And jugglers, clowns, and circus animals would move around the floors, delighting the casino’s guests.
Playing games while being entertained? Sounds like the recipe for a good time in Vegas to me. And the great and good of 1968 Vegas thought so too.
When it came to naming his casino, Sarno wanted to continue with the Roman theme and model it on a Roman circus. But can you imagine trying to market a venue based on an ancient entertainment center known for brutality and death? (Neither can we.) So instead, Sarno decided to create a vision of the circus familiar to an American audience. In other words, it would be a circus circus.
The grand opening
Circus Circus opened to rapturous applause. It started with an invitation-only costume party where Sarno dressed (aptly) as ringmaster. Reports from the time boasted that ‘city, county, state, and federal officials, as well as movie and TV stars’ enjoyed an exclusive preview of Circus Circus. After they’d had their fun, the doors opened to the public who were kept entertained while they waited in line.
The opening night also included:
- the cutting of a 90-foot-long, 2-foot-wide yellow streamer
- the release of 5,000 balloons
- the turning on of the colorful fountains
- the mid-air marrying of a local couple, suspended on a platform 400 feet above the building
- a 4-man skydiving display.
By the time the public got in (about 10 pm) the queue snaked around several blocks. The event attracted around 26,000 visitors in the first 8 hours.
A scroll through the “Vintage Las Vegas Facebook pageshows photos from Circus Circus’ opening night. It also has comments from people who attended, including one man who remembers waiting in line until 3 am to get in.
The big top starts its big flop
Getting Circus Circus up and running cost around $15 million. And despite its sizzling opening, the casino’s novelty value quickly wore thin. Gamblers were irritated by the performers and animals. And the lack of a hotel put off high rollers, meaning the casino was relying heavily on the slot machine intake.
Not adding a hotel to the casino was a deliberate choice. Sarno was convinced the circus’s wow factor would be enough to attract high-stake gamblers. But this wasn’t the case. Circus Circus ran into financial difficulties, limping through the first few years of business. On at least one occasion, the Nevada Gaming Commission threatened to revoke the venue’s gambling license if they didn’t clear their debts.
In a bid to boost funds, Sarno introduced entry fees—$2 for out-of-towners and $1 for locals. But the state decided that a tax needed to be paid on these entry earnings. Sarno quickly dropped the entry fees.
There was only one option left: fall in line with the tried and tested Las Vegas format and stick a hotel on it. But with the business already strapped for cash, Sarno had to turn to organized crime to get the money he needed.
In 1971 Sarno secured a $7.6 million loan from the Teamsters. Teamsters wasn’t considered an organized crime cell in itself, but it did have questionable links with known mobsters. As part of the arrangement, Circus Circus allowed the crime gang Chicago Outfit a concession stand in the hotel.
A new 15-story hotel was opened in 1972.
Did this fix Circus Circus’ problems? Sadly, no. Sarno was now in the pocket of gangsters, which attracted the attention of government organized crime units. And to add salt to the wound, Sarno and Mallin were being investigated by the IRS for tax violations.
Desperate to see the show go on, Sarno finally stepped down as ringmaster in 1974. William Bennett and William Pennington took his place—2 promising casino managers who agreed to lease the venue for 5 years. During that time they turned the casino’s fortunes around by totally remodeling the venue. They:
- defined their audience, attracting middle-income gamblers rather than high rollers
- added more slot machines
- retired Tanya the elephant
- built an RV park.
Their vision turned Circus Circus into one of the most successful resorts of the time. In 1983 Bennett and Pennington bought the casino from Sarno and Mallin. With free reign, they increased the hotel space. And by adding the Adventuredome—a 5-acre indoor amusement park—they strengthened the venue’s message that it was the place for families to go.
Circus Circus’ latest trick
After passing through the hands of MGM properties and remaining successful, Circus Circus is now owned by businessman Phil Ruffin. Phil had grand plans of investing billions to refresh the 50-year-old venue.
So far the plans haven’t come to fruition. But the pink and white big top did get a new lick of paint. And it’s still considered one of the Strip’s more budget-friendly resorts. (You can get a room for as little as $38 a night.)
Celebrating Circus Circus’ story in flowers
The big top and trapeze artists are the venue’s defining features. So this arrangement had to have height. Sprays of tall-standing delphinium and dyed orange juggling balls sway playfully above the rest of the arrangement.
Strands of deep green foliage give the arrangement balance.
And then there are the clowns. Bright pink gerbera daisies (which don’t spray water but would sit well on a clown’s lapel) and two-tone yellow-orange roses bring a ludicrousness to the display. Take your pick as to which part of the story this reflects. It could be the trained animals working on the casino floor, the croupiers dressed in clown-like shirts, or the casino’s outlandish attempt to be a completely family-friendly venue.
Order the Circus Circus if…
- You’re getting married there. It’s the perfect floral centerpiece for your ceremony and reception. We can also transform it into a bridal bouquet.
- You’re staying at the resort for a special occasion—birthday, anniversary, honeymoon—and want fresh flowers in your room when you arrive.
- You simply love fabulous Las Vegas, and want some big top nostalgia in your home.
Why create arrangements inspired by Vegas casinos?
A skillful florist is always looking for fresh inspiration. We may find it in the books we read, the icons we follow, the art we admire, or the places we visit. Creating a bouquet, arrangement, or installation pays homage to those muses. I’ve lived in Vegas for 30 years, so paying tribute to Vegas’ iconic resorts and casinos comes naturally to me.
