Somewhere Over the Rainbow
By Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine Staff
The Las Vegas PRIDE team was invited to be special guests at the VIP Media / Influencers Kickoff for the Wizard of OZ Experience at the Venetian on August 2. The display is a promotional tie-in for the “Wizard of OZ Experience” at the Sphere, which opened on August 28.
It was a delightful early morning of frolicking down the yellow brick road and creating a little buzz with the special appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas PRIDE, Derek Guerrero and Norma Llyaman.
Without hesitation on the day of the event, our Las Vegas PRIDE royalty donned spectacular OZIAN costumes and paraded within the merriment. Stopping in for guest photos and curious conversation while enjoying specialty coffees and custom Wizard of Oz rainbow desserts in the special OZ Café located behind the exhibit, our team was welcomed with open arms!
The fabulous photo op is located within the Waterfall courtyard of the Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Located where the LOVE sculpture once stood (don’t worry, it will be back), this incredible 3-dimensional Wizard of Oz Photo Op is something you must visit at least once before it closes at the end of the year.
Photo of Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas PRIDE Norma Llyaman and Derek Guerrero by Megan Sanchez
Glynda the Good Witch stands tall over the classic characters of the story. Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, and Toto, too! The vast gardens are filled with dramatic, large and small poppies gleaming with all their red glory. Amidst the flowering displays is an intricate path of yellow bricks leading guests and fans alike to the central portion of the photo op, a large iridescent bubble. Attendees are invited to stand within Glynda’s magical bubble of a one-of-a-kind photo or selfie.
Photos courtesy of Sphere Entertainment
“It was an amazing experience! All we did was dress for the occasion, and everyone thought we were part of the show! Who knew!? According to one Instagram influencer, WE WERE TRENDING!” stated Auntie Norma.
The Photo Op display at The Venetian will remain until the end of the year. The Sphere Las Vegas will open the immersive “The Wizard of OZ at Sphere” experience on August 28, 2025, with tickets currently on sale at thesphere.com
It is being considered OZ for the next generation, and for Friends of Dorothy, there is no place like home Over the Rainbow!
Photo of Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas PRIDE Norma Llyaman and Derek Guerrero by Megan Sanchez
This article was originally published in the 2025 PRIDE Celebration Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.
