What Happens in Fred Vegas, Stays in Fred Vegas

Fred Vegas, a term often used by locals to describe Fredericksburg for better or worse, has been copyrighted for more than a year now. The phrase is now displayed on t-shirts, mugs and bumper stickers for a profit. Coined after the iconic “Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, the shirts and other paraphernalia mimic the sign with the words “Welcome to the Fabulous Fred Vegas Virginia.”

Currently, the Fred Vegas merchandise is being sold online and by the locally renowned Paul’s Bakery. Last week they unveiled a new website to hawk their wares. The designer of the shirts, Neil Glancy, copyrighted the phrase and has attempted to buy out or take over websites that used the term “Fred Vegas” as part of the domain name.

For years the term has been tossed around and used with different connotations. Some say it as a snide remark, commenting on how there is nothing fun or exciting to do around Fredericksburg, especially for the younger crowd. Others use it to describe the local music scene, and still more see it as a good way to poke fun at the small town. No Matter how the nickname has been used, it’s always been freely tossed around by locals—that is, until the term was copyrighted. 

Joelle Gilbert, owner of the site fredvegaslive.com, received a cease and desist letter from Neil Glancy in February 2010, stating that Fred Vegas was now a registered trademark and could no longer be used by Gilbert on her site. Gilbert created the website to showcase local musicians and artists who played in downtown Fredericksburg. It included pictures, songs, quotes and a schedule of local shows and venues. 

“To me,” Gilbert says, “‘Fred Vegas’ being compared to ‘Las Vegas’ means in the sense that downtown is filled to the brim with the talent, diverseness and culture of talented residents, artists, musicians and business owners and it's surrounded by a desert of big conglomerate stores, chains and towns that don't cater to the creative soul.”

Her goal with the website was to bring in those people who live outside of Fredericksburg into the downtown area and get them to experience the local talent. Once Glancy sent her the cease and desist letter the site went downhill and she no longer updates it. She one day hopes to at least put something about local musicians back up on the website. Glancy could not be reached for comment after repeated attempts. 

Despite the copyright issues, the Fred Vegas shirts have been around since 2010 and are still featured products. Karen Hedelt, an official from the Fredericksburg Tourism Office, sees the phrase as a good thing. Hedelt realizes that it’s used by many as a tongue-in-cheek remark, but she thinks of it as something fun and popular. 

“It’s a phrase that’s been around for awhile,” she says. 

Fred Vegas is likely here to stay, either as an insult to the lack of night life for a younger crowd, or as an endearing nickname that will attract more to see what Fredericksburg is really all about.