Economy sparks creativity to make ends meet

“Sniper,” says Adam Roberts, a “bride to be” street performer, as he covers his face with a fan so a passer-by cannot take his photo without tipping during a recent evening on Fremont Street.

Since the economic downturn in Las Vegas, street performers have proliferated with the hope of making a living posing for photos for the tourists flocking to the iconic street. The entertainers all have a story on why they are there.

The woman dressed in a Hello Kitty outfit does performances because she is lonely and “for fun.”

Jerry Lechmer came to Las Vegas a year ago with a dream of making a living playing poker. Now he is a street performer and rents costumes to others wanting to try their luck.

And Carmen Meeks picked her skimpy bunny outfit because “sex sells.”