NEVADA — A 300-foot-wide, 150-foot-tall American flag was draped over the Hoover Dam in Nevada on Memorial Day as part of the national celebration marking America's 250th anniversary. The display will remain illuminated each night through July 4 using more than 550 automated LED lights powered entirely by the dam's hydroelectricity.
The flag, weighing approximately 2,000 pounds, required five days of sewing preparation before installation, according to officials. It was previously used during football games by the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a news release that the state is proud to help tell the story of innovation, exploration, and progress that shapes the nation, from Hoover Dam to the state’s growing technology and infrastructure sectors and world-class tourism industry. He added that Nevada has always played an important role in American history and called the dam one of the greatest engineering achievements in U.S. history, representing determination, ingenuity, hard work, and Americans’ willingness to take on seemingly impossible challenges.
Steve Hill, the President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the dam has always stood for more than just infrastructure. He noted that nearly a century ago, thousands of workers came to the canyon during one of the most difficult chapters in American history to build something extraordinary, helping to create Boulder City and lay the groundwork for modern Las Vegas. Hill added that the dam continues to serve millions across the Southwest and that the installation is part of summer commemorations leading to America’s 250th anniversary.