Visitors at the entrance of Downtown Container Park meet a giant metallic praying mantis.
“The Mantis” comes to life nightly at Container Park!
Every evening, at sundown, provided the weather permits, there is a drum circle celebration known as the “Call to the Mantis” that wakes up the Mantis. Anyone is welcome to join in this celebration. Its creator found a female praying mantis in a field and made The Mantis a 150:1 scale replica of it. In Las Vegas, she shoots 6-story flames of liquid propane from her antennae into the night sky.
The praying insect comes equipped with a built-in 4,000-watt surround sound system and can speak more than 20 different languages. When fully extended, she stands 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. She burns approximately 50 gallons of fuel per day, and her flames can reach up to six stories high! Aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum created the Mantis as a gift for his wife Kristen on their first wedding anniversary.
- Flame Shooting Hours: Nightly.
Bug Build Fun Facts
- Kirk Jellum led a team of 20 people to build The Mantis just outside Zion National Park in 2010. The construction of The Mantis took five hundred hours of design work and more than 3,000 labor hours.
- Someone can actually drive The Mantis! The vehicle has made appearances twice in the annual “Burning Man” summer festival, which is held in the Black Rock Desert of Northern Nevada.
- Kirk’s first art project was such a rewarding experience that he left his 15-year career as an aerospace engineer and became the renowned artist he is today.
- Location: Downtown Container Park
- Address: 707 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Phone: (702) 359-9982
- Website: downtowncontainerpark.com
About Downtown Container Park:
The Downtown Container Park is a popular spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment located in the heart of Las Vegas. It’s an exclusive complex made of colorful shipping containers that house a variety of local businesses, including fashion boutiques, art galleries, craft breweries, and gourmet eateries. You can explore the park and discover something new at every corner or relax and enjoy the live music and events on the main stage.
Kids can have a great time at the Treehouse, a fun-filled playground with a giant slide, a climbing wall, and a splash pad. Adults can indulge in cocktails and wines from Oak & Ivy, a cozy speakeasy that has a rooftop patio. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic date night, or a lively party, Downtown Container Park has something for everyone.
