‘Masquerade Show in the Sky’ gave Mardi Gras vibe to Las Vegas

Violet Perkins, left, watches as performer Molleigh Wallace, right, and other performers board a float before a special Show in the Sky performance for Mardi Gras Feb. 21, 2012. Perkins was riding the float to celebrate her birthday. Sitting behind her is Kade Pyle. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Joseph Santellana of "Divas Las Vegas" throws beads from a float during a special "Show in the Sky" performance for Mardi Gras Feb. 21, 2012. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kimberly Goltry of "Legends in Concert," in white dress, gets ready for a special Show in the Sky performance for Mardi Gras Feb. 21, 2012. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Carol Windish of the Rio helps guests Lauren Martinez and Marc Adler with their costumes as they prepare to become part of the show. RJ photo by Mike Salsbury news Carol Windish of the Rio helps guests Lauren Martinez and Marc Adler with their costumes Tuesday as they prepare to become part of the production --the "Masquerade Show in the Sky." Starting Thursday the hotel invites members of the public to take part in the show.RJ photo by Mike Salsbury

Showgirl Ashley Vail performs in "Show in the Sky" in 2005. (View photo by Shelly Donahue)

Showgirl Ashley Vail performs in "Show in the Sky" at the Rio in 2005. (View photo by Shelly Donahue) SW/VIEW--Showgirl Ashley Vail performs daily at the Rio hotel and casino. The performer appears in the Masquerade Holiday show in the sky. Tuesday, November 29,2005--View photo by shelly donahue

"Show in the Sky" performer Ashley Vail was part of the show's cast in 2005. (View photo by Shelly Donahue)

Other 082804 : Tourists watch the Rio's "Show in the Sky."

JOHN GURZINSKI/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Customers and employees riding a float throw beads to guests below as they celebrate the Rio's 20th anniversary on Jan. 15, 2010. JOHN GURZINSKI/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL NEWS----- Customers and employees throw beads to guests below as they ride a float during the Show In The Sky Friday Jan. 15, 2010 to celebrate the hotels 20th anniversary.

JOHN GURZINSKI/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Teller, from left, Rio president Gary Selesner, Penn, and Gerry Tuthill, the Rio's general manager, prepare to throw beads to customers and employees to celebrate the Rio's 20th anniversary as they ride a float in 2010. JOHN GURZINSKI/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL NEWS-----(L) TO (R) Teller, Gary Selesner, Pres. Rio, Penn and Gerry Tuthill ,GM Rio prepare to throw beads to customers and employees to celebrate the hotels 20th anniversary as they ride a float during the Show In The Sky Friday Jan. 15, 2010.

"Show in the Sky" performer Jennifer Roush poses with a float backstage in 2013. (Bill Hughes/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

More Stories

Stilt walkers in costume await photo opportunities during the Sick New World festival at the La ...

Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week

Journey at the Sphere? ‘We would absolutely destroy that place’

“Ka’ is just fine’: Cirque plans to celebrate — not close — show, despite rumors

Performers with Cirque du Soleil rehearse a scene during a sneak preview of the "One Night ...

Cirque diver will never walk again after being injured in show, attorney says

By John Przybys / Las Vegas Review-Journal

November 11, 2019 - 11:42 am

Pump a few tanks of helium into a Mardi Gras parade, and the result pretty much would be what Rio guests saw hourly several times a night when the hotel’s “Masquerade Show in the Sky” took flight.

The much-missed attraction in the Rio’s Masquerade Village amused both tourists and locals from Feb. 7, 1997, when it opened as part of the Rio’s Masquerade Village expansion, until its final performance on March 30, 2013. The colorful spectacle included performer-laden floats traveling along a track on the ceiling and singers and dancers performing on a two-story, floor-level stage, as well as audience members trying to catch beads tossed by performers.

Serious fans of the free attraction even could ride the floats with performers.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280. Follow @JJPrzybys on Twitter.

Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week

April 25, 2024 - 9:16 am

Sick New World, Holo Holo and the Water Lantern Festival lead this week’s Las Vegas entertainment lineup.

Journey at the Sphere? ‘We would absolutely destroy that place’

By John Katsilometes / RJ

April 25, 2024 - 7:17 pm

Neal Schon of Journey says the Sphere was made for jam bands, but his band would crush it, too.

“Ka’ is just fine’: Cirque plans to celebrate — not close — show, despite rumors

By John Katsilometes / RJ

April 24, 2024 - 9:57 am

The closing of “Love,” enforced by construction as Mirage turns into Hard Rock Las Vegas, has initiated rumors “Ka” will be the next Cirque production to shut down.

Cirque diver will never walk again after being injured in show, attorney says

By John Katsilometes / RJ

April 24, 2024 - 2:02 pm

Kyle Mitrione fractured his C6 vertebrae while performing in “O” on June 28. A new segment had been added to the show two weeks prior, according to the lawsuit.