By Zach Hathaway
Photography courtesy of ZAP Marketing (Zach Hathaway & Nolan Halbert)

When The Phoenix Bar & Lounge arrived at the BigHorn Rodeo at Horseman’s Park over Mother’s Day Weekend, it did not come quietly. Towering above the festival grounds in sky blue paint, rainbow flags, swinging seats, and smiling faces, “The Cuddle Bus” quickly became one of the most photographed and talked-about attractions of the weekend.

Part parade float, part interactive art installation, and part community gathering space, The Cuddle Bus represented something bigger than a simple festival activation. It was a celebration of queer joy, creativity, survival, and connection, values that have long defined both The Phoenix and the LGBTQ+ community.

The customized bus served as The Phoenix’s official rodeo float and festival hub throughout the weekend. Decorated with Pride flags, art pieces, banners, and four functional swings hanging from the upper structure, the installation invited attendees to stop, take photos, cool down, and interact with the space rather than simply walk past it. A rear platform and rooftop viewing deck allowed guests and performers to ride during parade appearances and Grand Entry festivities, including this year’s Rodeo Grand Marshals.

Rodeo attendees gathered around the bus all weekend, whether they were posing on the swings, riding the hand-painted and carved “Horse of a Different Color” art installation, or simply escaping the desert heat for a moment beneath the shaded structure. The Cuddle Bus even provided a space for the rodeo’s marketing team to keep equipment cool while covering the event.

And yes, the air conditioning became part of the legend.

“The cuddle bus saves lives,” joked Phoenix co-owner Gabriel Cressey during the event, referencing both the practical relief from the Las Vegas heat and the deeper culture surrounding the vehicle itself.

The statement, while playful, reflects the real spirit behind the project.

Originally inspired by Burning Man culture and desert gathering communities, The Cuddle Bus has evolved into something much larger for The Phoenix and its extended community. It functions as a roaming symbol of inclusion, chosen family, and emotional safety, a place where strangers become friends, conversations happen naturally, and people are encouraged to simply exist as themselves.

That energy translated perfectly at BigHorn Rodeo, an event already rooted in LGBTQ+ visibility, western culture, and community fundraising.

The bus itself blurred the line between spectacle and sanctuary. One moment, guests were laughing on swings suspended from the side of the vehicle while country music echoed through the grounds. The next, others climbed aboard the rooftop deck to wave during festivities and take in panoramic views of the rodeo grounds.

The Phoenix also paired the installation with an art display and community booth presence, further reinforcing the venue’s growing reputation for immersive experiences beyond traditional nightlife.

Known throughout Las Vegas for combining radical inclusivity, entertainment, drag performance, live events, and community, The Phoenix has increasingly embraced large-scale public activations designed to bring queer spaces outside the walls of the bar itself.

The BigHorn Rodeo appearance may be one of the clearest examples yet.

In many ways, the project captures the evolution of LGBTQ+ community spaces in Las Vegas. It is nightlife, but it is also public art. It is performance, but also participation. It is playful and absurd while simultaneously carrying genuine emotional meaning for the people who gather around it.

And perhaps most importantly, it creates visibility.

At a rodeo that already celebrates queer western identity and chosen family traditions, The Cuddle Bus fit naturally into the landscape while still managing to stand out. Attendees of all ages stopped for photos, conversations, and rides throughout the weekend, creating the kind of spontaneous interaction that can only happen when a space feels welcoming and approachable.

The Phoenix plans to continue expanding The Cuddle Bus experience throughout 2026, including a highly anticipated return to the Las Vegas PRIDE Parade and Festival in October.

This article was originally published in the 2026 Summer, Arts & Entertainment issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.