PEEP’S-EYE VIEW

What do marshmallow Peeps bring to mind for Las Vegas residents? Peep shows, clubs, Blue Men, UFOs, love, mining -- and more peep shows.

At least that's what we got when we asked Review-Journal readers to create scenes featuring these beloved if nearly inedible -- but hey, they're fat-free! -- icons of Easter.

And the winner is: Dedee Nave, who will receive $100 for her elaborate Peeps peep show.

Nave's display was so elaborate, in fact, that it came with instructions. It also didn't photograph particularly well, so here's the scoop: To activate it, you slid back the lid and switched on the four spotlights and LED-motion Peeps marquee. With the lid back on, you peeped through the slot and it was showtime. Nave's piece had a showgirl in feathers, musicians with horns, a chorus line of kicking dancers and an audience in top hats.

It was a joint project, she said. Her sister, Marilyn MacCallum, was in town from Destin, Fla., for a hospitality show and Nave went along. She found the LED-motion pin -- soon to be a Peeps marquee -- at one of the booths. Mom Virginia Maurer, who lives in Las Vegas, had some of the little spotlights in her garage, and Nave found more at a dollar store. The theme "just immediately came to me," she said. "I guess I like puns. We had such fun doing it. Everybody had to give their opinion. It's fun to do those things."

And, just in case you're wondering, Nave said that no, she's not a crafter.

Another Peeps peep show -- this one emblazoned "Les Peep Show" -- came from Carol Howland and Fern Cohen, "because ... we are Peepostrous!" they said in an attached note. Mounted on a turntable for in-the-round viewing, it featured feathered showgirls, a slot machine, formally attired Peeps guests and tiny currency on the cocktail tables and stage.

Bob Taras did a Peeps peep show, too, complete with stripper pole and illuminated spotlights. "Peeps especially prefer the 'no-touching' rule," he wrote with his entry. "It keeps them out of embarrassingly sticky situations."

And speaking of rim shots: Caitlin Leake, 17, and Sam Blau, 8, and his mom, Colleen, created Blue Peeps Groups complete with paint-splattering Peeps drummers onstage and rolls of paper -- Leake's made with icing, the Blaus' with paper on tiny rolls anchored to the back wall -- cascading over the Peeps audience. Both Leake and Colleen Blau said they were inspired by the discovery of blue Peeps -- and the Blue Man Group, of course.

Jessica Flores placed her Peeps in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard, under the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Her scene included a Peep with the face of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and even an unmistakable Peepian Elvis.

A.E. Ralphie took a more natural approach with his "Mining: It Works for Nevada" entry that featured illuminated miner's helmets and a caged canary Peep in the mine.

Courtney Bateman arranged a scene of Peepian Las Vegas Wranglers playing the Utah Grizzlies, because her husband has played hockey since he was a child and they like going to Wranglers' games.

L. Gross produced a diorama of an amateur UFOlogist in his boat on Lake Mead, hoping to catch a glimpse of his target, with alien-related R-J headlines -- we loved that touch -- and a desert scene complete with little green men in the background.

More little green men were in the scene created by Ariadnie Donaldson, 11, who included a silvery flying saucer.

Scott Kramer's Peeps came dressed for Halloween.

Nicholas McDowell, 10, placed his Peeps in a beach scene: "They are on their way to 'swim with the fishes.' " (Since this is Las Vegas, maybe that should be "sleep with the fishes.")

Katie Blau, 5, showed her love for Peeps with "Love Peeps," complete with hearts and flowers.

Emily Burton, Nancy Burton and the Nathan Burton showgirls submitted a Peep-ized scene from Nathan Burton's show at the Flamingo Las Vegas, with the showgirls, audience and Burton himself represented.

And Sharon Lowell submitted cupcakes Nick Savage, 5, made into Easter baskets complete with Peeps, jelly bean decorations and pipe-cleaner handles. It's a longtime family tradition, Lowell said. "It helps kids to feel a part of the celebration if they can contribute to the occasion."

Indeed. The Easter Bunny is no doubt proud of them all.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0474.