An Intergalactic Art Car Festival Is Taking Las Vegas to Outer Space

The Las Vegas Strip is lined with spectacular sights from the Bellagio fountains to the neon balloon of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. But on Saturday, June 9, 2018, the show will be on the street, when the vehicles of the Intergalactic Art Car Festival roll down Las Vegas Boulevard. Lyft and Fired Up Management created the event to raise money for and increase awareness of arts programs in schools.
“We feel that art programs do more than teach us to draw or paint; they teach us a process to creatively solve problems,” says Kris Cuaresma-Primm, marketing lead of Lyft Nevada.

Josh Levine, the owner of Fired Up, explains that this is truly an immersive experience for everyone. “These artists have created cars beyond your wildest dreams,” he said. “It’s important for them to share their art with the community, give back and inspire the next generation of forward-thinkers.”

Among the vehicles on parade will be alien creatures, praying mantises, alligators, swans, and even a stapler. Artist Henry Chang, who helped create several of the cars, said, “I’ve always been into blending the technology and art worlds, having studied computer science and music in school. I want each car to be sculptural and beautiful while showing the bodywork of the vehicle. Being able to drive a piece of art and bring it directly to the people is an experience you just can’t get with traditional art.”

At 7 p.m., the creative convoy will roll out from the parking lot at Fremont and 9th Street, go down the Strip to Harmon Avenue, and then make a return trip. After the parade, there is an all-ages, art-filled event from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with DJs, fire dancers, food trucks and artist demos.

Cuaresma-Primm says, “When we found out that Nevada may lose $700,000 for local arts programs, we decided to partner with Fired Up Management to create this event to demonstrate our support. We want to celebrate art and the brilliant and unconventional thinkers who create these pieces while raising funds for future artists.” The Intergalactic Art Car Festival is that rare thing in Las Vegas—a situation where everybody wins.